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==Early Life and Education==

==Early Life and Education==

Raised in [[Jerusalem]], Benjamin Netanyahu received his high school education in the United States when he moved with his parents to Cheltenham, [[Pennsylvania]], a suburb of [[Philadelphia]]. To this day Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks fluent English with an American accent. Even as an adult, he is often referred to as his boyhood nickname "Bibi".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/02/20/idUSL8592809 FACTBOX-Five facts about Benjamin Netanyahu] Reuters, February 20, 2009</ref>  Additionally, Netanyahu's father was a professor of Jewish history at [[Cornell University]]. He returned to Israel in 1967 and enlisted in the Israeli Defense Forces and participated in the [[Yom Kippur War]], where he reached the rank of captain. Netanyahu would go on to continue to live in the United States when he received a Bachelor's degree in architecture from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] in 1975, a Master's degree in business management from MIT, and would go on to study political science at MIT and [[Harvard University]]. Netanyahu joined Boston Consulting Group, an international business consulting firm and later senior management of Rim Industries in Jerusalem.

Raised in [[Jerusalem]], Benjamin Netanyahu received his high school education in the United States when he moved with his parents to Cheltenham, [[Pennsylvania]], a suburb of [[Philadelphia]]. To this day Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks fluent English with an American accent. Even as an adult, he is often referred to as his boyhood nickname "Bibi".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/02/20/idUSL8592809 FACTBOX-Five facts about Benjamin Netanyahu] Reuters, February 20, 2009</ref>  Additionally, Netanyahu's father was a professor of Jewish history at [[Cornell University]]. He returned to Israel in 1967 and enlisted in the [[Israeli Defense Forces]] and participated in the [[Yom Kippur War]], where he reached the rank of captain. Netanyahu would go on to continue to live in the United States when he received a Bachelor's degree in architecture from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] in 1975, a Master's degree in business management from MIT, and would go on to study political science at MIT and [[Harvard University]]. Netanyahu joined Boston Consulting Group, an international business consulting firm and later senior management of Rim Industries in Jerusalem.

==Political career==

==Political career==

==Prime Minister of Israel==

==Prime Minister of Israel==

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislator of Israel. During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]] Netanyahu was a member of the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference, which was the first direct negotiations between Israel and [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], and a joint [[Jordanian]]-[[Palestinian]] delegation. In 1993, Netanyahu became chairman of the right-of-center Likud party. He was elected Israel's 9th Prime Minister in 1996 and sworn in after the approval of the Knesset. During his three-year term, the number of terror attacks in Israel drastically decreased. On economics, he governed as a free-market conservative, accelerated privatization of government-owned companies and reduced the budget deficit. By the time of Netanyahu's reelection he had alienated the political left, while also the political right for his negotiations with [[Yasser Arafat]] and the Palestinians. He was defeated in May 1999 by Ehud Barak.  

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislator of Israel. During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]] Netanyahu was a member of the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference, which was the first direct negotiations between Israel and [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], and a joint [[Jordanian]]-[[Palestinian]] delegation. In 1993, Netanyahu became chairman of the right-of-center Likud party. He was elected Israel's 9th Prime Minister in 1996 and sworn in after the approval of the Knesset. During his three-year term, the number of terror attacks in Israel drastically decreased. On economics, he governed as a free-market conservative, accelerated privatization of government-owned companies and reduced the budget deficit. By the time of Netanyahu's reelection he had alienated the political left, while also the political right for his negotiations with [[Yasser Arafat]] and the Palestinians. He was defeated in May 1999 by [[Ehud Barak]].  

[[Image:BenjaminNetanyahu452.jpg|right|Benjamin Netanyahu press conference, 02/20/09.|thumb]]

[[Image:BenjaminNetanyahu452.jpg|right|Benjamin Netanyahu press conference, 02/20/09.|thumb]]

From 2003 through 2005 Netanyahu served as Finance Minister in the [[Ariel Sharon]] administration. He advocated policies that reduced government, strengthened the private sector, cut taxes, and privatized pensions. During his tenure [[unemployment]] dropped and the Israeli economy went from shrinking 1% to growing 4.2% in 2004.<ref>http://www.netanyahu.org/biography.html</ref> On February 10, 2009, legislative elections, the right-wing parties won a majority of seats in the Knesset, and they selected Netanyahu to serve a second term as Prime Minister. He was sworn in on March 13, 2009.

From 2003 through 2005 Netanyahu served as Finance Minister in the [[Ariel Sharon]] administration. He advocated policies that reduced government, strengthened the private sector, cut taxes, and privatized pensions. During his tenure [[unemployment]] dropped and the Israeli economy went from shrinking 1% to growing 4.2% in 2004.<ref>http://www.netanyahu.org/biography.html</ref> On February 10, 2009, legislative elections, the right-wing parties won a majority of seats in the Knesset, and they selected Netanyahu to serve a second term as Prime Minister. He was sworn in on March 13, 2009.

Among other important pieces of legislation passed by Netanyahu's [[conservative]] coalition, in July 2018, the Knesset passed an amendment to the country's de facto constitution strengthening Israel's status as a Jewish state, proclaiming Jerusalem as the "united " capital of the country, and made Hebrew the country's official language, among other changes.<ref>Multiple references:

Among other important pieces of legislation passed by Netanyahu's [[conservative]] coalition, in July 2018, the Knesset passed an amendment to the country's de facto constitution strengthening Israel's status as a Jewish state, proclaiming Jerusalem as the "united " capital of the country, and made [[Hebrew]] the country's official language, among other changes.<ref>Multiple references:

*Danan, Deborah (July 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/19/netanyahu-hails-jewish-state-bill-as-pivotal-moment-in-zionist-history/ Netanyahu Hails Jewish State Bill as ‘Pivotal Moment’ in Zionist History]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

*Danan, Deborah (July 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/19/netanyahu-hails-jewish-state-bill-as-pivotal-moment-in-zionist-history/ Netanyahu Hails Jewish State Bill as ‘Pivotal Moment’ in Zionist History]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

*Lubell, Maayan (July 18, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics-law/israel-adopts-divisive-jewish-nation-state-law-idUSKBN1K901V Israel adopts divisive Jewish nation-state law]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

*Lubell, Maayan (July 18, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics-law/israel-adopts-divisive-jewish-nation-state-law-idUSKBN1K901V Israel adopts divisive Jewish nation-state law]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.

===Relations with the Obama Administration===

===Relations with the Obama Administration===

Netanyahu has had very poor relations with the leftist U.S. president [[Barack Obama]]. During the very tight and closely-watched 2015 elections, the Obama Administration attempted to influence the election—in order to elect a leftist government in the nation and defeat Netanyahu—by financing a liberal Israeli political organization.<ref>Klein, Aaron (July 13, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/07/13/israeli-lawmakers-fume-obama-administration-intervention-defeat-netanyahu/ Israeli Lawmakers Fume Over Obama Administration ‘Intervention’ to Defeat Netanyahu]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Netanyahu decisively won the election, despite opposition from left-wing world leaders.<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections]. ''The Times of Israel''. March 18, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

Netanyahu has had very poor relations with the leftist U.S. president [[Barack Obama]]. During the very tight and closely-watched 2015 elections, the [[Obama Administration]] attempted to influence the election—in order to elect a leftist government in the nation and defeat Netanyahu—by financing a liberal Israeli political organization.<ref>Klein, Aaron (July 13, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/07/13/israeli-lawmakers-fume-obama-administration-intervention-defeat-netanyahu/ Israeli Lawmakers Fume Over Obama Administration ‘Intervention’ to Defeat Netanyahu]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Netanyahu decisively won the election, despite opposition from left-wing world leaders.<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections]. ''The Times of Israel''. March 18, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

On December 23, 2016, Obama broke over 35 years of American policy by abstaining from a UN vote and allowing a blatantly anti-Israel resolution to pass, showing his true stance concerning Israel.<ref>[https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-fears-obama-will-strike/ Israel fears Obama will strike again]. ''World Israel News''. December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu (December 26, 2016). [https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/80855/fed-up-with-obamas-trickery-netanyahu-takes-drastic-actions/#VbVlRMtkx4zLRc3f.97 Fed Up With United States Trickery, Netanyahu Takes Drastic Actions]. ''Breaking Israel News''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

On December 23, 2016, Obama broke over 35 years of American policy by abstaining from a UN vote and allowing a blatantly anti-Israel resolution to pass, showing his true stance concerning Israel.<ref>[https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-fears-obama-will-strike/ Israel fears Obama will strike again]. ''World Israel News''. December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu (December 26, 2016). [https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/80855/fed-up-with-obamas-trickery-netanyahu-takes-drastic-actions/#VbVlRMtkx4zLRc3f.97 Fed Up With United States Trickery, Netanyahu Takes Drastic Actions]. ''Breaking Israel News''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

On September 24, 2009 Prime Minister Netanyahu blasted Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], a supporter of [[Islamic]] fundamentalism and is developing [[nuclear]] technology, possibly for nuclear weapons. The following is an excerpt from his speech.  

On September 24, 2009 Prime Minister Netanyahu blasted [[Iran]]ian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], a supporter of [[Islamic]] fundamentalism and is developing [[nuclear]] technology, possibly for nuclear weapons. The following is an excerpt from his speech.  

"Nearly 62 years ago, the United Nations recognized the right of the Jews, an ancient people 3,500 years-old, to a state of their own in their ancestral homeland.

"Nearly 62 years ago, the [[United Nation]]s recognized the right of the Jews, an ancient people 3,500 years-old, to a state of their own in their ancestral homeland.

I stand here today as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish state, and I speak to you on behalf of my country and my people.

I stand here today as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish state, and I speak to you on behalf of my country and my people.

The United Nations was founded after the carnage of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. It was charged with preventing the recurrence of such horrendous events.

The United Nations was founded after the carnage of World War II and the horrors of the [[Holocaust]]. It was charged with preventing the recurrence of such horrendous events.

[[File:Netanyahu and wife with Obamas.jpg|thumb|left|Netanyahu and wife with Obama and Michelle at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, 2009.]]

[[File:Netanyahu and wife with Obamas.jpg|thumb|left|Netanyahu and wife with Obama and Michelle at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, 2009.]]

Nothing has undermined that central mission more than the systematic assault on the truth. Yesterday the President of Iran stood at this very podium, spewing his latest anti-Semitic rants. Just a few days earlier, he again claimed that the Holocaust is a lie.

Nothing has undermined that central mission more than the systematic assault on the truth. Yesterday the President of Iran stood at this very podium, spewing his latest anti-Semitic rants. Just a few days earlier, he again claimed that the Holocaust is a lie.