Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu was elected Prime Minister on May 29, 1996, becoming the youngest person to hold the office. His victory marked a shift to the right in Israeli politics, and he served until 1999, overseeing the Oslo Accords' implementation and the 1997 Hebron Protocol.

Netanyahu returned to power on March 31, 2009, after the 2009 election. He formed a coalition government and served continuously until 2021, becoming Israel's longest-serving prime minister. His tenure saw multiple wars in Gaza and expansion of settlements.

Netanyahu strongly opposed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, delivering a controversial speech to the US Congress in March 2015. He argued the deal would enable Iran to develop nuclear weapons, straining US-Israel relations.

Netanyahu was indicted on November 21, 2019, on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three cases (Case 1000, 2000, 4000). He became the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be indicted, leading to ongoing legal battles and political crises.

Netanyahu oversaw the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020, normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. The accords were a major diplomatic achievement, reshaping Middle Eastern alliances.

Netanyahu's government proposed a judicial overhaul in January 2023, aiming to limit Supreme Court powers. The plan sparked massive protests, a general strike, and international criticism. The crisis deepened political divisions and threatened Israel's democratic institutions.