Politics & World • World Leaders

Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, nicknamed "Bibi," is an Israeli politician and the leader of Likud.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Benjamin Netanyahu, nicknamed "Bibi," is an Israeli politician and leader of the Likud party. He has served multiple terms as Prime Minister of Israel: from 1996 to 1999, from 2009 to 2021, and again from December 2022. Netanyahu is the first Israeli prime minister born after the establishment of the state in 1948.

Early life and education

Benjamin Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv on 21 October 1949. He spent part of his youth in the United States and later studied at MIT.

Political rise

Netanyahu became leader of Likud in 1993 and won his first term as prime minister in 1996. He later returned to the party leadership in 2005 and remained one of Israel's dominant political figures.

Prime ministerships

Netanyahu has served three separate periods as Israel's prime minister: 1996–1999, 2009–2021, and from 2022 onward. He is described as the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history. He has been associated with major foreign-policy developments, including the Abraham Accords.

Controversies and legal issues

His career has included corruption allegations, political conflict over judicial reforms, and criticism over security failures following the Hamas-led attacks of 2023. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Key facts

Benjamin Netanyahu, nicknamed "Bibi," is the first Israeli prime minister born after the establishment of the state.
He has served three non-consecutive terms as prime minister: 1996–1999, 2009–2021, and from 2022.
He is associated with major foreign-policy developments, including the Abraham Accords.
His career has been marked by corruption allegations and an ICC arrest warrant issued in November 2024.
Criticism over settlement policy and the 2023 Hamas-led attacks has surrounded his tenure.

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Canadian context

Netanyahu is relevant to Canadian readers through Canada’s diplomatic relations with Israel, Middle East policy debates, and coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Canadian media and politics.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Benjamin Netanyahu?

He is an Israeli politician from Likud who has served multiple terms as prime minister of Israel.

Why is he called Bibi?

"Bibi" is Netanyahu's common nickname in Israel and in international media.

When was he first prime minister?

He first became prime minister in 1996 and served until 1999.

Is he Israel's longest-serving prime minister?

Yes. Sources describe him as Israel's longest-serving prime minister, based on his combined time in office.

Has he faced legal cases?

Yes. He has faced corruption-related charges in Israel, and the ICC issued an arrest warrant in November 2024.

References

Government of Israel — https://www.gov.il/apps/elections/elections-knesset-15/heb/pm/ebio_pm_4.html
Supports: Birth year, Tel Aviv birthplace, Likud leadership, and biography details.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Netanyahu
Supports: First election as prime minister, Likud leadership timeline, and general biographical facts.
Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu
Supports: Terms as prime minister and statement that he is Israel's longest-serving prime minister.
International Criminal Court — https://www.icc-cpi.int/defendant/netanyahu
Supports: November 2024 arrest warrant and charges described by the ICC.
BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18008697
Supports: Background on Netanyahu, 2022 return to power, and summary of ICC-related developments.
Portuguese Wikipedia — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu
Supports: Summary of premiership terms, Abraham Accords, 2023 war criticisms, and 2024 ICC warrant context.