Benjamin Netanyahu
בנימין נתניהו
Currently
Prime Minister
Who they are
Israel's longest-serving prime minister and the axis around which its politics has turned for three decades. Runs on security experience, great-power diplomacy and the loyalty of the Likud base.
Positions & record
- Security: Military freedom of action on all fronts; Iran as the defining threat.
- Judiciary: Backs rebalancing the courts, at a pace the coalition can survive.
- Diplomacy: Expand the Abraham Accords into a Saudi normalization deal.
Where they stand
Judea & Samariaparty lineExpand settlements; oppose Palestinian state
Two states / withdrawalSovereignty / annexation
Gaza & Securityparty lineOpen-ended security control
Deal & disengagementFull military control
Haredi Enlistmentparty lineNegotiated arrangement with Haredi allies
Universal draftPreserve exemptions
Judiciaryparty lineAdvance override and appointments reform
Strengthen the courtCurb the court
Economyparty lineMarket-oriented with populist spending
Social spendingFree market
Religion & Stateparty lineStatus quo with religious partners
Civil / pluralistHalachic status quo
Career
1996
Youngest PM in Israel's history.
2009
Returns to power; opens a 12-year consecutive run.
2020
Signs the Abraham Accords.
2023
Wartime premiership and an ongoing corruption trial.