Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Benjamin Netanyahu

2021-06-10T15:22:44Z

Sebastian:

{{Prime Minister
|image=Netanyahu.jpg
|seq=
|term_start=March 31, 2009
|term_end=
|previous=Ehud Olmert
|next=
|party=Likud
|birth_date=October 21, 1949
|birth_place=Tel Aviv
|died_place=
|spouse=
|religion=
}}
'''Benjamin Netanyahu''' (born October 21, 1949) is the [[conservative]] Prime Minister of [[Israel]], who in 1997 negotiated a partial withdrawal by Israeli settlers from [[Hebron]], which is on the [[West Bank]]. He is the first Prime Minister to be born after the official re-establishment of Israel as a sovereign nation.

His brother, Yonatan, was killed in 1976. Yonatan was the field commander of the raid on [[Entebbe]], an operation to free hostages of an Air France flight highjacked by Islamists. He was the only Israeli commando casualty of the operation.

In July 2019, Netanyahu became Israel's longest-serving prime minister ever.<ref>Multiple references:
*Heller, Aron (July 17, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 Netanyahu makes history as Israel’s longest-serving leader]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
*Williams, Dan (July 18, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV Bruised but driven, Netanyahu becomes Israel's longest-serving PM]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
*Schwartz, Felicia (July 20, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-premier-amid-political-storm-11563618600 Benjamin Netanyahu Becomes Israel’s Longest-Serving Premier Amid Political Storm]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-the-life-of-the-magician-11563618301 Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu: The Life of ‘The Magician’]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Danan, Deborah (July 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/07/22/trump-congratulates-netanyahu-for-becoming-longest-serving-prime-minister/ Trump Congratulates Netanyahu for Becoming Israel’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 22, 2019.</ref>

==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 a Philadelphia 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==

In 1979 and 1984 Mr. Netanyahu initiated two international conferences that emphasized the need to fight against terrorist organizations and regimes that provide them support. Members included Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]] and Secretary of State [[George Shultz]].<ref>http://www.zionism-israel.com/bio/Benjamin_Nethanyahu.htm</ref> After serving as deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC., he was appointed Israel's ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. During his tenure he fought for the declassification of the United Nations archives on crimes committed by [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].

==Prime Minister of Israel==

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislature 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]]
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:
*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.
*Zion, Ilan Ben (July 19, 2018). [https://apnews.com/a9804a4476fb4123859aa7e3dd1ab871 Israeli parliament passes contentious Jewish nation bill]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Hoffman, Gil (July 19, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Controversial-Jewish-nation-state-bill-passes-into-law-562898 Controversial Jewish Nation-State Bill Passes into Law]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Lis, Jonathan; Landau, Noa (July 19, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
See also:
*Byas, Steve (July 20, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/29591-israeli-communist-offers-south-africa-as-model-for-israel-after-passage-of-controversial-nation-state-bill Israeli Communist Offers South Africa as Model for Israel After Passage of Controversial Nation-State Bill]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Danan, Deborah (August 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/12/netanyahu-palestinian-flags-at-tel-aviv-protest-prove-need-for-nation-state-law/ Netanyahu: Palestinian Flags at Tel Aviv Protest Prove Need for Nation-State Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 12, 2018.</ref> His government has taken a strong stance against [[illegal immigration]]<ref>Klein, Aaron (January 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/01/09/successfully-stop-illegal-immigration-follow-israels-model/ How to Successfully Stop Illegal Immigration: Follow Israel’s Model]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Danan, Deborah (August 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/21/hundreds-of-thousands-of-israelis-now-eligible-to-carry-firearms/ Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Now Eligible to Carry Firearms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 21, 2018.</ref> (see also: [[Border wall#Israel]]), and it moved to relax gun regulations.<ref>Deborah, Danan (July 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/09/israel-to-ease-gun-law-regulations/ Israel to Ease Gun Regulations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu has taken [[Euroskeptic]] stances and has strengthened Israel's relationships with the conservative countries of Central Europe.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref><ref>Kent, Simon (November 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2018/11/02/netanyahu-rebukes-hostile-e-u-ahead-of-bulgaria-trip/ Netanyahu Rebukes ‘Hostile’ E.U. Ahead of Bulgaria Trip]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref>

Netanyahu faced a tough re-election campaign in 2019,<ref>Taylor, Guy (April 7, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/7/benjamin-netanyahu-benny-gantz-election-israels-de/ Gantz has chance of blocking Netanyahu's historic streak in election, pulling Israel toward center]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> and by that time, he had helped "transform" Israel, shifting it to the political Right.<ref>Schwartz, Felicia (April 7, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-election-is-seen-as-a-referendum-on-netanyahu-in-a-country-he-helped-transform-11554638418 Israel’s Election Is Seen as a Referendum on Netanyahu in a Country He Helped Transform]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> He became the apparent winner of the election, though coalition-building is the most important part of Israel's elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (April 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/31987-netanyahu-wins-israeli-snap-election Netanyahu Wins Israeli Snap Election]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-likely-to-win-israeli-prime-minister-election-after-opposition-party-concedes Benjamin Netanyahu likely to win Israeli prime minister election after opposition party concedes]. ''Fox News''. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref>

Israel's attorney general indicted Netanyahu of corruption in November 2019, something the prime minister strongly pushed back against.<ref>Murphy, James (November 22, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/34115-attempted-coup-netanyahu-indicted-on-charges-of-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust Attempted Coup? Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Fraud, and Breach of Trust]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 22, 2019.</ref>

===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>[https://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 28, 2016, just a few weeks before the [[Trump Administration]] was to take office and a few days after the leftist Obama Administration allowed an anti-[[Israel]] resolution to pass the [[United Nations|UN]] and break decades of policy, Kerry gave a major 72-minute<ref>Hanchett, Ian (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/nbcs-neely-kerry-speech-firing-a-flare-across-israel-he-wanted-to-give-it-for-some-time-but-wh-blocked-it/ NBC’s Neely: Kerry Speech ‘Firing a Flare’ ‘Across Israel’ He Wanted To Give It ‘For Some Time’ But WH Blocked It]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> speech viciously attacking Israel and paying worthless lip-service to American "support" for the nation.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/12/28/kerry-on-israel-peace-un-resolution/ Kerry Attacks Israeli Government, Defends UN Resolution]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly but appropriately to the Administration's blatant betrayal.<ref>Key, Pam (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/netanyahu-i-must-express-my-deep-disappointment-with-john-kerry-israelis-do-not-need-to-be-lectured/ Netanyahu: ‘I Must Express My Deep Disappointment’ With Kerry — ‘Israelis Do Not Need To Be Lectured’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

In response to the anti-Israel UN vote, Israel cut $6 million in its annual dues to the leftist organization on January 6, 2017.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html Israel halts $6 million to UN to protest UN settlements vote]. ''Fox News'' (from the Associated Press). January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref>

Despite the Obama Administration's actions, the U.S. House passed a motion on January 5, 2017 condemning Obama's allowing of the UN resolution.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/05/house-overwhelmingly-votes-to-condemn-un-resolution-on-israel-settlements.html House overwhelmingly votes to condemn UN resolution on Israel settlements]. ''Fox News''. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Cortellessa, Eric (January 6, 2017). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-passes-repudiation-of-un-security-council-resolution-on-israel/ US House passes motion repudiating UN resolution on Israel]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref> Additionally, Republican President-elect [[Donald Trump]] voiced strong support for Israel during this time.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 23, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/23/trump-hints-defunding-un-anti-israel-vote/ Trump on UN Anti-Israel Vote: ‘Things Will Be Different After Jan. 20’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Swoyer, Alex (December 29, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/29/trump-im-very-very-strong-on-israel/ Trump: ‘I’m Very, Very Strong on Israel’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref>

===Relations with the Trump Administration===
Netanyahu, who himself built a very successful wall along Israel's southern border with [[Egypt]] in 2013, endorsed U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s plan to build a wall along the U.S. border with [[Mexico]].<ref>Weber, Joseph (January 28, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/28/netanyahu-backs-trumps-mexico-wall-touts-similar-one-on-egypt-border-as-great-idea.html Netanyahu backs Trump's Mexico wall, touts similar one on Egypt border as 'great idea']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 30, 2017.</ref> Netanyahu thought highly of President Trump's foreign policy, as seen in statements he made that he thought were private but were being transmitted to reporters.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.</ref>

On December 6, 2017, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered the U.S. State Department to begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Boyer, Dave (December 6, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/6/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-israeli-capital/ Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital fulfills campaign promise broken by predecessors]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Holland, Steve; Lubell, Maayan (December 6, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-reversing-longtime-u-s-policy-idUSKBN1E01PS Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing longtime U.S. policy]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pappas, Alex (December 6, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/06/trump-officially-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-orders-us-embassy-move.html Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, orders embassy move for US]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pollak, Joel B. (December 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/12/06/jerusalem-israel-capital-embassy-trump-white-house/ Trump: ‘I Have Determined That It Is Time to Officially Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Byas, Steve (December 6, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign-policy/item/27533-trump-respects-israel-s-sovereignty-in-embassy-move-to-jerusalem Trump Respects Israel’s Sovereignty in Embassy Move to Jerusalem]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2017.</ref> On May 14, 2018, the U.S. officially moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke; Berger, Judson (May 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/14/us-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-recognizing-city-as-true-capital-israel.html US opens embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing city as ‘true capital’ of Israel]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Spiering, Charlie (May 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/14/donald-trump-officially-opens-us-embassy-historic-sacred-land-jerusalem/ Donald Trump Officially Opens U.S. Embassy in ‘Historic and Sacred Land of Jerusalem’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Pollak, Joel B. (May 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/05/15/jerusalem-embassy-opening-a-ray-of-light/ Jerusalem Embassy Opening: A Ray of Light]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu praised President Trump for this decision and even compared him to Emperor [[Cyrus]].<ref>Silow-Carroll, Andrew (March 8, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-is-king-cyrus-and-why-is-netanyahu-comparing-him-to-trump/ Who is King Cyrus, and why did Netanyahu compare him to Trump?]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref> In May 2018 Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his withdrawal from the [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>(Keinon, Herb). [https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Netanyahu-applauds-Trumps-brave-decision-to-pull-out-of-Iran-deal-554843 NETANYAHU APPLAUDS TRUMP’S ‘BRAVE DECISION’ TO PULL OUT OF IRAN DEAL]. ''[[Jerusalem Post]]''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> Despite Trump's accomplishments regarding Israel, however, Netanyahu ended up extending congratulations for Biden's fake win in the election,<ref>https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/benny-gantz-congratulates-president-elect-biden-on-election-victory-648375</ref> and even went as far as to tweet that he and Biden had a warm, personal relationship. <ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/netanyahu-notes-long-26-warm-personal-relationship-with-biden-in-congratulatory-tweet/ar-BB1aOdte</ref> However, Netayahu accused Poland of collaborating with Nazi Germany in WW2. Netanyahu has also criticisms, around Orthodox Jewish community.

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

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.

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.
[[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.

Yesterday, the man who calls the Holocaust a lie spoke from this podium. To those who refused to come here and to those who left this room in protest, I commend you. You stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your countries.

But to those who gave this Holocaust-denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency?

A mere six decades after the Holocaust, you give legitimacy to a man who denies that the murder of six million Jews took place and pledges to wipe out the Jewish state.

What a disgrace! What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations! Perhaps some of you think that this man and his odious regime threaten only the Jews. You're wrong.

History has shown us time and again that what starts with attacks on the Jews eventually ends up engulfing many others.

This Iranian regime is fueled by an extreme fundamentalism that burst onto the world scene three decades ago after lying dormant for centuries. In the past thirty years, this fanaticism has swept the globe with a murderous violence and cold-blooded impartiality in its choice of victims. It has callously slaughtered Moslems and Christians, Jews and Hindus, and many others. Though it is comprised of different offshoots, the adherents of this unforgiving creed seek to return humanity to medieval times.

The most urgent challenge facing this body is to prevent the tyrants of Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Are the member states of the United Nations up to that challenge? Will the international community confront a despotism that terrorizes its own people as they bravely stand up for freedom?

Will it take action against the dictators who stole an election in broad daylight and gunned down Iranian protesters who died in the streets choking in their own blood? Will the international community thwart the world's most pernicious sponsors and practitioners of terrorism?

Above all, will the international community stop the terrorist regime of Iran from developing atomic weapons, thereby endangering the peace of the entire world?

The people of Iran are courageously standing up to this regime. People of goodwill around the world stand with them, as do the thousands who have been protesting outside this hall. Will the United Nations stand by their side?" <ref>http://ironicsurrealism.blogivists.com/2009/09/24/transcript-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-un-general-assembly-speech-9-24-09/</ref>

==Books by Netanyahu==
*''Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic And International Terrorism'' (Diane Pub Co, 1995). ISBN 0-7881-5514-8

*''A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations'' (Warner Books, 1993 and 2000). ISBN 0-446-52306-2

== Quotes ==

*‎"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8YAQAAIAAJ&q=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&dq=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&hl=en&ei=O-4gTYeXI4a0lQew0tzXDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA The Bulletin, J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 2006]</ref>

*“If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region.”<ref>https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/voice-of-the-jewish-news-history-repeating-itself/</ref>

*"I know what America is. America is a thing you can move very easily, move it in the right direction. They won't get in our way. … They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo accords] … I said I would, but … I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue."<ref>https://libquotes.com/benjamin-netanyahu/quote/lbh2p9z</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.netanyahu.org.il/ Benjamin Netanyahu's blog]
*[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/israeli-settler-leader-how-benjamin-netanyahu-shaped-todays-israel Israeli settler leader: How Benjamin Netanyahu shaped today's Israel], by Oded Revivi, April 1, 2018.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
{{IsraelPrimeMinisters}}
{{Arab-Israeli conflict}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Netanyahu, Benjamin}}
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Israel]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Populists]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Benjamin Netanyahu

2021-06-10T15:18:06Z

Sebastian:

{{Prime Minister
|image=Netanyahu.jpg
|seq=
|term_start=March 31, 2009
|term_end=
|previous=Ehud Olmert
|next=
|party=Likud
|birth_date=October 21, 1949
|birth_place=Tel Aviv
|died_place=
|spouse=
|religion=
}}
'''Benjamin Netanyahu''' (born October 21, 1949) is the [[conservative]] Prime Minister of [[Israel]], who in 1997 negotiated a partial withdrawal by Israeli settlers from [[Hebron]], which is on the [[West Bank]]. He is the first Prime Minister to be born after the official re-establishment of Israel as a sovereign nation.

His brother, Yonatan, was killed in 1976. Yonatan was the field commander of the raid on [[Entebbe]], an operation to free hostages of an Air France flight highjacked by Islamists. He was the only Israeli commando casualty of the operation.

In July 2019, Netanyahu became Israel's longest-serving prime minister ever.<ref>Multiple references:
*Heller, Aron (July 17, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 Netanyahu makes history as Israel’s longest-serving leader]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
*Williams, Dan (July 18, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV Bruised but driven, Netanyahu becomes Israel's longest-serving PM]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
*Schwartz, Felicia (July 20, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-premier-amid-political-storm-11563618600 Benjamin Netanyahu Becomes Israel’s Longest-Serving Premier Amid Political Storm]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-the-life-of-the-magician-11563618301 Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu: The Life of ‘The Magician’]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Danan, Deborah (July 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/07/22/trump-congratulates-netanyahu-for-becoming-longest-serving-prime-minister/ Trump Congratulates Netanyahu for Becoming Israel’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 22, 2019.</ref>

==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 a Philadelphia 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==

In 1979 and 1984 Mr. Netanyahu initiated two international conferences that emphasized the need to fight against terrorist organizations and regimes that provide them support. Members included Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]] and Secretary of State [[George Shultz]].<ref>http://www.zionism-israel.com/bio/Benjamin_Nethanyahu.htm</ref> After serving as deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC., he was appointed Israel's ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. During his tenure he fought for the declassification of the United Nations archives on crimes committed by [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].

==Prime Minister of Israel==

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislature 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]]
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:
*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.
*Zion, Ilan Ben (July 19, 2018). [https://apnews.com/a9804a4476fb4123859aa7e3dd1ab871 Israeli parliament passes contentious Jewish nation bill]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Hoffman, Gil (July 19, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Controversial-Jewish-nation-state-bill-passes-into-law-562898 Controversial Jewish Nation-State Bill Passes into Law]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Lis, Jonathan; Landau, Noa (July 19, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
See also:
*Byas, Steve (July 20, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/29591-israeli-communist-offers-south-africa-as-model-for-israel-after-passage-of-controversial-nation-state-bill Israeli Communist Offers South Africa as Model for Israel After Passage of Controversial Nation-State Bill]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Danan, Deborah (August 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/12/netanyahu-palestinian-flags-at-tel-aviv-protest-prove-need-for-nation-state-law/ Netanyahu: Palestinian Flags at Tel Aviv Protest Prove Need for Nation-State Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 12, 2018.</ref> His government has taken a strong stance against [[illegal immigration]]<ref>Klein, Aaron (January 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/01/09/successfully-stop-illegal-immigration-follow-israels-model/ How to Successfully Stop Illegal Immigration: Follow Israel’s Model]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Danan, Deborah (August 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/21/hundreds-of-thousands-of-israelis-now-eligible-to-carry-firearms/ Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Now Eligible to Carry Firearms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 21, 2018.</ref> (see also: [[Border wall#Israel]]), and it moved to relax gun regulations.<ref>Deborah, Danan (July 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/09/israel-to-ease-gun-law-regulations/ Israel to Ease Gun Regulations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu has taken [[Euroskeptic]] stances and has strengthened Israel's relationships with the conservative countries of Central Europe.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref><ref>Kent, Simon (November 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2018/11/02/netanyahu-rebukes-hostile-e-u-ahead-of-bulgaria-trip/ Netanyahu Rebukes ‘Hostile’ E.U. Ahead of Bulgaria Trip]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref>

Netanyahu faced a tough re-election campaign in 2019,<ref>Taylor, Guy (April 7, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/7/benjamin-netanyahu-benny-gantz-election-israels-de/ Gantz has chance of blocking Netanyahu's historic streak in election, pulling Israel toward center]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> and by that time, he had helped "transform" Israel, shifting it to the political Right.<ref>Schwartz, Felicia (April 7, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-election-is-seen-as-a-referendum-on-netanyahu-in-a-country-he-helped-transform-11554638418 Israel’s Election Is Seen as a Referendum on Netanyahu in a Country He Helped Transform]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> He became the apparent winner of the election, though coalition-building is the most important part of Israel's elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (April 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/31987-netanyahu-wins-israeli-snap-election Netanyahu Wins Israeli Snap Election]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-likely-to-win-israeli-prime-minister-election-after-opposition-party-concedes Benjamin Netanyahu likely to win Israeli prime minister election after opposition party concedes]. ''Fox News''. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref>

Israel's attorney general indicted Netanyahu of corruption in November 2019, something the prime minister strongly pushed back against.<ref>Murphy, James (November 22, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/34115-attempted-coup-netanyahu-indicted-on-charges-of-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust Attempted Coup? Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Fraud, and Breach of Trust]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 22, 2019.</ref>

===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>[https://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 28, 2016, just a few weeks before the [[Trump Administration]] was to take office and a few days after the leftist Obama Administration allowed an anti-[[Israel]] resolution to pass the [[United Nations|UN]] and break decades of policy, Kerry gave a major 72-minute<ref>Hanchett, Ian (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/nbcs-neely-kerry-speech-firing-a-flare-across-israel-he-wanted-to-give-it-for-some-time-but-wh-blocked-it/ NBC’s Neely: Kerry Speech ‘Firing a Flare’ ‘Across Israel’ He Wanted To Give It ‘For Some Time’ But WH Blocked It]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> speech viciously attacking Israel and paying worthless lip-service to American "support" for the nation.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/12/28/kerry-on-israel-peace-un-resolution/ Kerry Attacks Israeli Government, Defends UN Resolution]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly but appropriately to the Administration's blatant betrayal.<ref>Key, Pam (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/netanyahu-i-must-express-my-deep-disappointment-with-john-kerry-israelis-do-not-need-to-be-lectured/ Netanyahu: ‘I Must Express My Deep Disappointment’ With Kerry — ‘Israelis Do Not Need To Be Lectured’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

In response to the anti-Israel UN vote, Israel cut $6 million in its annual dues to the leftist organization on January 6, 2017.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html Israel halts $6 million to UN to protest UN settlements vote]. ''Fox News'' (from the Associated Press). January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref>

Despite the Obama Administration's actions, the U.S. House passed a motion on January 5, 2017 condemning Obama's allowing of the UN resolution.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/05/house-overwhelmingly-votes-to-condemn-un-resolution-on-israel-settlements.html House overwhelmingly votes to condemn UN resolution on Israel settlements]. ''Fox News''. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Cortellessa, Eric (January 6, 2017). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-passes-repudiation-of-un-security-council-resolution-on-israel/ US House passes motion repudiating UN resolution on Israel]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref> Additionally, Republican President-elect [[Donald Trump]] voiced strong support for Israel during this time.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 23, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/23/trump-hints-defunding-un-anti-israel-vote/ Trump on UN Anti-Israel Vote: ‘Things Will Be Different After Jan. 20’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Swoyer, Alex (December 29, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/29/trump-im-very-very-strong-on-israel/ Trump: ‘I’m Very, Very Strong on Israel’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref>

===Relations with the Trump Administration===
Netanyahu, who himself built a very successful wall along Israel's southern border with [[Egypt]] in 2013, endorsed U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s plan to build a wall along the U.S. border with [[Mexico]].<ref>Weber, Joseph (January 28, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/28/netanyahu-backs-trumps-mexico-wall-touts-similar-one-on-egypt-border-as-great-idea.html Netanyahu backs Trump's Mexico wall, touts similar one on Egypt border as 'great idea']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 30, 2017.</ref> Netanyahu thought highly of President Trump's foreign policy, as seen in statements he made that he thought were private but were being transmitted to reporters.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.</ref>

On December 6, 2017, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered the U.S. State Department to begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Boyer, Dave (December 6, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/6/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-israeli-capital/ Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital fulfills campaign promise broken by predecessors]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Holland, Steve; Lubell, Maayan (December 6, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-reversing-longtime-u-s-policy-idUSKBN1E01PS Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing longtime U.S. policy]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pappas, Alex (December 6, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/06/trump-officially-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-orders-us-embassy-move.html Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, orders embassy move for US]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pollak, Joel B. (December 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/12/06/jerusalem-israel-capital-embassy-trump-white-house/ Trump: ‘I Have Determined That It Is Time to Officially Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Byas, Steve (December 6, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign-policy/item/27533-trump-respects-israel-s-sovereignty-in-embassy-move-to-jerusalem Trump Respects Israel’s Sovereignty in Embassy Move to Jerusalem]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2017.</ref> On May 14, 2018, the U.S. officially moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke; Berger, Judson (May 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/14/us-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-recognizing-city-as-true-capital-israel.html US opens embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing city as ‘true capital’ of Israel]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Spiering, Charlie (May 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/14/donald-trump-officially-opens-us-embassy-historic-sacred-land-jerusalem/ Donald Trump Officially Opens U.S. Embassy in ‘Historic and Sacred Land of Jerusalem’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Pollak, Joel B. (May 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/05/15/jerusalem-embassy-opening-a-ray-of-light/ Jerusalem Embassy Opening: A Ray of Light]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu praised President Trump for this decision and even compared him to Emperor [[Cyrus]].<ref>Silow-Carroll, Andrew (March 8, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-is-king-cyrus-and-why-is-netanyahu-comparing-him-to-trump/ Who is King Cyrus, and why did Netanyahu compare him to Trump?]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref> In May 2018 Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his withdrawal from the [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>(Keinon, Herb). [https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Netanyahu-applauds-Trumps-brave-decision-to-pull-out-of-Iran-deal-554843 NETANYAHU APPLAUDS TRUMP’S ‘BRAVE DECISION’ TO PULL OUT OF IRAN DEAL]. ''[[Jerusalem Post]]''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> Despite Trump's accomplishments regarding Israel, however, Netanyahu ended up extending congratulations for Biden's fake win in the election,<ref>https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/benny-gantz-congratulates-president-elect-biden-on-election-victory-648375</ref> and even went as far as to tweet that he and Biden had a warm, personal relationship. <ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/netanyahu-notes-long-26-warm-personal-relationship-with-biden-in-congratulatory-tweet/ar-BB1aOdte</ref> However, Netayahu accused Poland of collaborating with Nazi Germany in WW2.

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

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.

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.
[[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.

Yesterday, the man who calls the Holocaust a lie spoke from this podium. To those who refused to come here and to those who left this room in protest, I commend you. You stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your countries.

But to those who gave this Holocaust-denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency?

A mere six decades after the Holocaust, you give legitimacy to a man who denies that the murder of six million Jews took place and pledges to wipe out the Jewish state.

What a disgrace! What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations! Perhaps some of you think that this man and his odious regime threaten only the Jews. You're wrong.

History has shown us time and again that what starts with attacks on the Jews eventually ends up engulfing many others.

This Iranian regime is fueled by an extreme fundamentalism that burst onto the world scene three decades ago after lying dormant for centuries. In the past thirty years, this fanaticism has swept the globe with a murderous violence and cold-blooded impartiality in its choice of victims. It has callously slaughtered Moslems and Christians, Jews and Hindus, and many others. Though it is comprised of different offshoots, the adherents of this unforgiving creed seek to return humanity to medieval times.

The most urgent challenge facing this body is to prevent the tyrants of Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Are the member states of the United Nations up to that challenge? Will the international community confront a despotism that terrorizes its own people as they bravely stand up for freedom?

Will it take action against the dictators who stole an election in broad daylight and gunned down Iranian protesters who died in the streets choking in their own blood? Will the international community thwart the world's most pernicious sponsors and practitioners of terrorism?

Above all, will the international community stop the terrorist regime of Iran from developing atomic weapons, thereby endangering the peace of the entire world?

The people of Iran are courageously standing up to this regime. People of goodwill around the world stand with them, as do the thousands who have been protesting outside this hall. Will the United Nations stand by their side?" <ref>http://ironicsurrealism.blogivists.com/2009/09/24/transcript-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-un-general-assembly-speech-9-24-09/</ref>

==Books by Netanyahu==
*''Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic And International Terrorism'' (Diane Pub Co, 1995). ISBN 0-7881-5514-8

*''A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations'' (Warner Books, 1993 and 2000). ISBN 0-446-52306-2

== Quotes ==

*‎"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8YAQAAIAAJ&q=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&dq=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&hl=en&ei=O-4gTYeXI4a0lQew0tzXDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA The Bulletin, J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 2006]</ref>

*“If you take out Saddam’s regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region.”<ref>https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/voice-of-the-jewish-news-history-repeating-itself/</ref>

*"I know what America is. America is a thing you can move very easily, move it in the right direction. They won't get in our way. … They asked me before the election if I'd honor [the Oslo accords] … I said I would, but … I'm going to interpret the accords in such a way that would allow me to put an end to this galloping forward to the '67 borders. How did we do it? Nobody said what defined military zones were. Defined military zones are security zones; as far as I'm concerned, the entire Jordan Valley is a defined military zone. Go argue."<ref>https://libquotes.com/benjamin-netanyahu/quote/lbh2p9z</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.netanyahu.org.il/ Benjamin Netanyahu's blog]
*[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/israeli-settler-leader-how-benjamin-netanyahu-shaped-todays-israel Israeli settler leader: How Benjamin Netanyahu shaped today's Israel], by Oded Revivi, April 1, 2018.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
{{IsraelPrimeMinisters}}
{{Arab-Israeli conflict}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Netanyahu, Benjamin}}
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Israel]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Populists]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Benjamin Netanyahu

2020-12-04T09:03:47Z

Sebastian: Added information about Netanyahu

{{Prime Minister
|image=Netanyahu.jpg
|seq=
|term_start=March 31, 2009
|term_end=
|previous=Ehud Olmert
|next=
|party=Likud
|birth_date=October 21, 1949
|birth_place=Tel Aviv
|died_place=
|spouse=
|religion=
}}
'''Benjamin Netanyahu''' (born October 21, 1949) is the [[conservative]] Prime Minister of [[Israel]], who in 1997 negotiated a partial withdrawal by Israeli settlers from [[Hebron]], which is on the [[West Bank]]. He is the first Prime Minister to be born after the official re-establishment of Israel as a sovereign nation.

His brother, Yonatan, was killed in 1976. Yonatan was the field commander of the raid on [[Entebbe]], an operation to free hostages of an Air France flight highjacked by Islamists. He was the only Israeli commando casualty of the operation.

In July 2019, Netanyahu became Israel's longest-serving prime minister ever.<ref>Multiple references:
*Heller, Aron (July 17, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 Netanyahu makes history as Israel’s longest-serving leader]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
*Williams, Dan (July 18, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV Bruised but driven, Netanyahu becomes Israel's longest-serving PM]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
*Schwartz, Felicia (July 20, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-premier-amid-political-storm-11563618600 Benjamin Netanyahu Becomes Israel’s Longest-Serving Premier Amid Political Storm]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-the-life-of-the-magician-11563618301 Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu: The Life of ‘The Magician’]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Danan, Deborah (July 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/07/22/trump-congratulates-netanyahu-for-becoming-longest-serving-prime-minister/ Trump Congratulates Netanyahu for Becoming Israel’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 22, 2019.</ref>

==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 a Philadelphia 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==

In 1979 and 1984 Mr. Netanyahu initiated two international conferences that emphasized the need to fight against terrorist organizations and regimes that provide them support. Members included Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]] and Secretary of State [[George Shultz]].<ref>http://www.zionism-israel.com/bio/Benjamin_Nethanyahu.htm</ref> After serving as deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC., he was appointed Israel's ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. During his tenure he fought for the declassification of the United Nations archives on crimes committed by [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].

==Prime Minister of Israel==

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislature 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]]
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:
*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.
*Zion, Ilan Ben (July 19, 2018). [https://apnews.com/a9804a4476fb4123859aa7e3dd1ab871 Israeli parliament passes contentious Jewish nation bill]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Hoffman, Gil (July 19, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Controversial-Jewish-nation-state-bill-passes-into-law-562898 Controversial Jewish Nation-State Bill Passes into Law]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Lis, Jonathan; Landau, Noa (July 19, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
See also:
*Byas, Steve (July 20, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/29591-israeli-communist-offers-south-africa-as-model-for-israel-after-passage-of-controversial-nation-state-bill Israeli Communist Offers South Africa as Model for Israel After Passage of Controversial Nation-State Bill]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Danan, Deborah (August 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/12/netanyahu-palestinian-flags-at-tel-aviv-protest-prove-need-for-nation-state-law/ Netanyahu: Palestinian Flags at Tel Aviv Protest Prove Need for Nation-State Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 12, 2018.</ref> His government has taken a strong stance against [[illegal immigration]]<ref>Klein, Aaron (January 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/01/09/successfully-stop-illegal-immigration-follow-israels-model/ How to Successfully Stop Illegal Immigration: Follow Israel’s Model]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Danan, Deborah (August 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/21/hundreds-of-thousands-of-israelis-now-eligible-to-carry-firearms/ Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Now Eligible to Carry Firearms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 21, 2018.</ref> (see also: [[Border wall#Israel]]), and it moved to relax gun regulations.<ref>Deborah, Danan (July 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/09/israel-to-ease-gun-law-regulations/ Israel to Ease Gun Regulations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu has taken [[Euroskeptic]] stances and has strengthened Israel's relationships with the conservative countries of Central Europe.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref><ref>Kent, Simon (November 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2018/11/02/netanyahu-rebukes-hostile-e-u-ahead-of-bulgaria-trip/ Netanyahu Rebukes ‘Hostile’ E.U. Ahead of Bulgaria Trip]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref>

Netanyahu faced a tough re-election campaign in 2019,<ref>Taylor, Guy (April 7, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/7/benjamin-netanyahu-benny-gantz-election-israels-de/ Gantz has chance of blocking Netanyahu's historic streak in election, pulling Israel toward center]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> and by that time, he had helped "transform" Israel, shifting it to the political Right.<ref>Schwartz, Felicia (April 7, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-election-is-seen-as-a-referendum-on-netanyahu-in-a-country-he-helped-transform-11554638418 Israel’s Election Is Seen as a Referendum on Netanyahu in a Country He Helped Transform]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> He became the apparent winner of the election, though coalition-building is the most important part of Israel's elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (April 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/31987-netanyahu-wins-israeli-snap-election Netanyahu Wins Israeli Snap Election]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-likely-to-win-israeli-prime-minister-election-after-opposition-party-concedes Benjamin Netanyahu likely to win Israeli prime minister election after opposition party concedes]. ''Fox News''. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref>

Israel's attorney general indicted Netanyahu of corruption in November 2019, something the prime minister strongly pushed back against.<ref>Murphy, James (November 22, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/34115-attempted-coup-netanyahu-indicted-on-charges-of-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust Attempted Coup? Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Fraud, and Breach of Trust]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 22, 2019.</ref>

===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>[https://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 28, 2016, just a few weeks before the [[Trump Administration]] was to take office and a few days after the leftist Obama Administration allowed an anti-[[Israel]] resolution to pass the [[United Nations|UN]] and break decades of policy, Kerry gave a major 72-minute<ref>Hanchett, Ian (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/nbcs-neely-kerry-speech-firing-a-flare-across-israel-he-wanted-to-give-it-for-some-time-but-wh-blocked-it/ NBC’s Neely: Kerry Speech ‘Firing a Flare’ ‘Across Israel’ He Wanted To Give It ‘For Some Time’ But WH Blocked It]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> speech viciously attacking Israel and paying worthless lip-service to American "support" for the nation.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/12/28/kerry-on-israel-peace-un-resolution/ Kerry Attacks Israeli Government, Defends UN Resolution]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly but appropriately to the Administration's blatant betrayal.<ref>Key, Pam (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/netanyahu-i-must-express-my-deep-disappointment-with-john-kerry-israelis-do-not-need-to-be-lectured/ Netanyahu: ‘I Must Express My Deep Disappointment’ With Kerry — ‘Israelis Do Not Need To Be Lectured’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

In response to the anti-Israel UN vote, Israel cut $6 million in its annual dues to the leftist organization on January 6, 2017.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html Israel halts $6 million to UN to protest UN settlements vote]. ''Fox News'' (from the Associated Press). January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref>

Despite the Obama Administration's actions, the U.S. House passed a motion on January 5, 2017 condemning Obama's allowing of the UN resolution.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/05/house-overwhelmingly-votes-to-condemn-un-resolution-on-israel-settlements.html House overwhelmingly votes to condemn UN resolution on Israel settlements]. ''Fox News''. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Cortellessa, Eric (January 6, 2017). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-passes-repudiation-of-un-security-council-resolution-on-israel/ US House passes motion repudiating UN resolution on Israel]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref> Additionally, Republican President-elect [[Donald Trump]] voiced strong support for Israel during this time.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 23, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/23/trump-hints-defunding-un-anti-israel-vote/ Trump on UN Anti-Israel Vote: ‘Things Will Be Different After Jan. 20’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Swoyer, Alex (December 29, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/29/trump-im-very-very-strong-on-israel/ Trump: ‘I’m Very, Very Strong on Israel’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref>

===Relations with the Trump Administration===
Netanyahu, who himself built a very successful wall along Israel's southern border with [[Egypt]] in 2013, endorsed U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s plan to build a wall along the U.S. border with [[Mexico]].<ref>Weber, Joseph (January 28, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/28/netanyahu-backs-trumps-mexico-wall-touts-similar-one-on-egypt-border-as-great-idea.html Netanyahu backs Trump's Mexico wall, touts similar one on Egypt border as 'great idea']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 30, 2017.</ref> Netanyahu thought highly of President Trump's foreign policy, as seen in statements he made that he thought were private but were being transmitted to reporters.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.</ref>

On December 6, 2017, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered the U.S. State Department to begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Boyer, Dave (December 6, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/6/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-israeli-capital/ Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital fulfills campaign promise broken by predecessors]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Holland, Steve; Lubell, Maayan (December 6, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-reversing-longtime-u-s-policy-idUSKBN1E01PS Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing longtime U.S. policy]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pappas, Alex (December 6, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/06/trump-officially-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-orders-us-embassy-move.html Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, orders embassy move for US]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pollak, Joel B. (December 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/12/06/jerusalem-israel-capital-embassy-trump-white-house/ Trump: ‘I Have Determined That It Is Time to Officially Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Byas, Steve (December 6, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign-policy/item/27533-trump-respects-israel-s-sovereignty-in-embassy-move-to-jerusalem Trump Respects Israel’s Sovereignty in Embassy Move to Jerusalem]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2017.</ref> On May 14, 2018, the U.S. officially moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke; Berger, Judson (May 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/14/us-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-recognizing-city-as-true-capital-israel.html US opens embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing city as ‘true capital’ of Israel]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Spiering, Charlie (May 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/14/donald-trump-officially-opens-us-embassy-historic-sacred-land-jerusalem/ Donald Trump Officially Opens U.S. Embassy in ‘Historic and Sacred Land of Jerusalem’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Pollak, Joel B. (May 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/05/15/jerusalem-embassy-opening-a-ray-of-light/ Jerusalem Embassy Opening: A Ray of Light]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu praised President Trump for this decision and even compared him to Emperor [[Cyrus]].<ref>Silow-Carroll, Andrew (March 8, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-is-king-cyrus-and-why-is-netanyahu-comparing-him-to-trump/ Who is King Cyrus, and why did Netanyahu compare him to Trump?]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref> In May 2018 Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his withdrawal from the [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>(Keinon, Herb). [https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Netanyahu-applauds-Trumps-brave-decision-to-pull-out-of-Iran-deal-554843 NETANYAHU APPLAUDS TRUMP’S ‘BRAVE DECISION’ TO PULL OUT OF IRAN DEAL]. ''[[Jerusalem Post]]''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref> Despite Trump's accomplishments regarding Israel, however, Netanyahu ended up extending congratulations for Biden's fake win in the election,<ref>https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/benny-gantz-congratulates-president-elect-biden-on-election-victory-648375</ref> and even went as far as to tweet that he and Biden had a warm, personal relationship. <ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/netanyahu-notes-long-26-warm-personal-relationship-with-biden-in-congratulatory-tweet/ar-BB1aOdte</ref> However, Netayahu accused Poland of collaborating with Nazi Germany in WW2.

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

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 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.

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.]]
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.

Yesterday, the man who calls the Holocaust a lie spoke from this podium. To those who refused to come here and to those who left this room in protest, I commend you. You stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your countries.

But to those who gave this Holocaust-denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency?

A mere six decades after the Holocaust, you give legitimacy to a man who denies that the murder of six million Jews took place and pledges to wipe out the Jewish state.

What a disgrace! What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations! Perhaps some of you think that this man and his odious regime threaten only the Jews. You're wrong.

History has shown us time and again that what starts with attacks on the Jews eventually ends up engulfing many others.

This Iranian regime is fueled by an extreme fundamentalism that burst onto the world scene three decades ago after lying dormant for centuries. In the past thirty years, this fanaticism has swept the globe with a murderous violence and cold-blooded impartiality in its choice of victims. It has callously slaughtered Moslems and Christians, Jews and Hindus, and many others. Though it is comprised of different offshoots, the adherents of this unforgiving creed seek to return humanity to medieval times.

The most urgent challenge facing this body is to prevent the tyrants of Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Are the member states of the United Nations up to that challenge? Will the international community confront a despotism that terrorizes its own people as they bravely stand up for freedom?

Will it take action against the dictators who stole an election in broad daylight and gunned down Iranian protesters who died in the streets choking in their own blood? Will the international community thwart the world's most pernicious sponsors and practitioners of terrorism?

Above all, will the international community stop the terrorist regime of Iran from developing atomic weapons, thereby endangering the peace of the entire world?

The people of Iran are courageously standing up to this regime. People of goodwill around the world stand with them, as do the thousands who have been protesting outside this hall. Will the United Nations stand by their side?" <ref>http://ironicsurrealism.blogivists.com/2009/09/24/transcript-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-un-general-assembly-speech-9-24-09/</ref>

==Books by Netanyahu==
*''Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic And International Terrorism'' (Diane Pub Co, 1995). ISBN 0-7881-5514-8

*''A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations'' (Warner Books, 1993 and 2000). ISBN 0-446-52306-2

== Quotes ==

*‎"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8YAQAAIAAJ&q=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&dq=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&hl=en&ei=O-4gTYeXI4a0lQew0tzXDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA The Bulletin, J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 2006]</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.netanyahu.org.il/ Benjamin Netanyahu's blog]
*[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/israeli-settler-leader-how-benjamin-netanyahu-shaped-todays-israel Israeli settler leader: How Benjamin Netanyahu shaped today's Israel], by Oded Revivi, April 1, 2018.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
{{IsraelPrimeMinisters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Netanyahu, Benjamin}}
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Israel]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Neoconservatives]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Alexandr Kwasniewski

2020-04-08T17:15:27Z

Sebastian: information

'''Alexandr Kwasniewski''' was the former communist who replaced [[Lech Walesa]] in 1995 as president of [[Poland]].

{{PolandPresidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwasniewski, Alexandr}}
[[Category:International Political Figures]]
[[Category:Polish People]]
[[Category:Leftists]]
[[Category:Liberals]]

Andrzej Duda

2020-04-08T17:12:51Z

Sebastian: changed information

[[File:Andrzej Duda (9851867824) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Andrzej Duda]]
'''Andrzej Duda''' (Born 16 May 1972) is the fifth [[President]] of [[Poland]]. He is a member of the pro-[[Christian]], pro-[[free market]], pro-[[traditional marriage]] [[Law and Justice]] Party, which controlled the Presidency from 2005–2010 and would have done so longer had popular President [[Lech Kaczyński]] not been killed in a suspicious plane crash in [[Russia]].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8612825.stm</ref> He defeated the [[liberal]] President Bronisław Komorowski on May 25, 2015 in a runoff election to become the fifth President-elect of Poland since 1990, in a result which, along with smashing [[Conservative]] victories in the UK, likely heralds the decline of liberalism both in Poland and in [[Europe]] as a whole.

==Political positions==
Duda, as a member of the Law and Justice Party, represents the [[conservative]] and [[Christian]] views within Polish politics, supporting [[free market]] principles, reducing [[tax]] rates, ending government [[corruption]], strengthening national defense, promoting and protecting [[traditional marriage]], restricting [[abortion]], and preventing [[Communists]] and former members of the oppressive [[Stalinist]] regime that was imposed on [[Poland]] from 1945-1989 from serving openly in positions of authority.<ref>http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/organizations/law-and-justice-party</ref>

Duda is skeptical of mass migration and opposes [[European Union]] attempts to force Poland to accept refugees.<ref>Hale, Virginia (October 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/06/poliand-eu-split-forces-migrants-nations/ ‘Forcing Migrants on Nations Will Mean the End of the EU’: Polish President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 6, 2017.</ref> He has stated that "there is no doubt the growing wave of terrorism is linked to migration."<ref>Montgomery, Jack (September 16, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/16/polish-president-no-doubt-growing-wave-terrorism-linked-migration/ Polish President: ‘There is No Doubt the Growing Wave of Terrorism is Linked to Migration’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 17, 2017.</ref>

In 2018, Duda proposed holding several referendums on numerous topics, including whether Polish law superseded "[[international law]]", on emphasizing Poland's Christian heritage in the constitution, and whether Poland should remain a member of the EU.<ref>Hale, Virginia (June 13, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/13/poland-eu-christian-family-referendum/ Poland to Vote on EU Membership, Christian Heritage in Proposed Constitution Referendum]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 13, 2018.</ref> However, Duda also holds [[environmentalist]] policies, also he has introduced some socialist programs such as 500+.{{cn}}

==Importance of 2015 election==
Duda's election as President, coupled with a smashing [[Conservative Party]] victory in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2015-32633099</ref> signaled a decline in [[liberal]] power across Europe. Many countries, such as [[Italy]], [[Hungary]], [[Austria]], and the [[United States]], followed Poland in holding elections in which conservative and nationalist forces defeated liberal and [[establishment]] parties.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{PolandPresidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duda, Andrzej}}
[[Category:Polish People]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Nationalists]]
[[Category:Current Heads of State]]
[[Category:Neoconservatives]]

Andrzej Duda

2020-04-08T17:05:59Z

Sebastian: corrected mistakes

Andrzej Duda

2020-04-08T17:04:34Z

Sebastian: corrected mistakes

Andrzej Duda

2020-04-08T17:03:41Z

Sebastian: added info

Andrzej Duda

2020-04-08T16:59:55Z

Sebastian: I added info.

User:Sebastian

2020-04-08T16:55:59Z

Sebastian: i adede

I'm a Polish Conservative.

Sebastián Piñera

2020-04-04T18:03:52Z

Sebastian: Gave information

{{Officeholder
|name=Sebastián Piñera
|image=Sebastián Piñera.jpg
|offices={{Officeholder/misc
|office=[[President of Chile]]
|terms=March 11, 2018 – present
|preceded=[[Michelle Bachelet]]
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=[[President of Chile]]
|terms=March 11, 2010 – March 11, 2014
|preceded=[[Michelle Bachelet]]
|succeeded=[[Michelle Bachelet]]
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=President pro tempore of the Forum for the Progress and Development of South America
|terms=22 March 2019
|preceded=''Position established''
|succeeded=
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=President pro tempore of the Pacific Alliance
|terms=5 March 2012 – 22 May 2013
|preceded=''Position established''
|succeeded=[[Enrique Peña Nieto]]
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=Leader of [[National Renewal]]
|terms=26 May 2001 – 10 March 2004
|preceded=Alberto Cardemil
|succeeded=Sergio Díez
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=Senator for Eastern [[Santiago]]
|terms=11 March 1990 – 11 March 1998
|preceded=''Position established''
|succeeded=Carlos Bombal
}}
|religion=[[Catholic]]
|party=Independent (since 2010)
[[National Renewal]] (1989–2010)
}}
'''Sebastián Piñera''' (born December 1, 1949) is a [[Chile]]an politician and businessman who currently serving as President. He previously served from March 11, 2010,<ref>[http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre60g1o4-us-chile-election/ Chile shifts right as billionaire wins presidency] NewsDaily</ref> to March 11, 2014, and then again starting on March 11, 2018.

Some observers have compared Piñera to U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Arostegui, Martin (April 16, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/16/sebastian-pinera-plots-trump-course-chile/ ‘Chile’s Donald Trump’ reverses liberal predecessor’s agenda in bid make country great again]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 16, 2018.</ref> On the other hand, Piñera has sided with the Left on certain issues, such as discussing with Canadian Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] about "gender" policies and how to advance the [[homosexual agenda]].<ref name="HomosexualAgenda"/> Pinera supports Chile's abortion laws, which outlaw the practice in all circumstances. In 2013,he praised as "brave and mature" a pregnant 11-year-old rape victim who said she was happy to have the child.[1]
In 2018, Piñera promised to oppose efforts to expand abortion in the country, saying he will do “everything that is necessary to defend life.”.[2]

He studied economy in the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and in [[Harvard]].

==Second Government==
Piñera leads the center-right coalition called [[Chile Vamos]]. He advocated the [[homosexual agenda]] by supporting Gender Identity laws,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://santiagotimes.cl/2018/11/29/chile-enacts-landmark-gender-identity-law/|title=Chile enacts landmark gender identity law|date=November 29, 2018|publisher=Santiago Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/Economia/2018/09/16/920919/Pinera-defiende-Ley-de-Identidad-de-Genero-tras-asistir-al-Tedeum-Evangelico.html|title=Piñera defiende Ley de Identidad de Género tras asistir al Tedeum Evangélico|publisher=Emol|date=September 16, 2018|language=es}}</ref><ref name="HomosexualAgenda">{{cite web|url=http://www.t13.cl/noticia/politica/pinera-destaco-anuncios-agenda-genero-dialogo-primer-ministro-canada|title=Piñera destacó anuncios en agenda de género en diálogo con Primer Ministro de Canadá|date=25 May 2018|language=es|publisher=T13}}</ref> a "deep cultural change",<ref>{{cite web|language=es|url=https://www.elmostrador.cl/braga/2019/06/02/agenda-de-genero-el-largo-etcetera-de-la-cuenta-publica-de-sebastian-pinera/|title=Agenda de género: el largo etcétera de la cuenta pública de Sebastián Piñera|date=2 June 2019|publisher=El Mostrador}}</ref> increase the number of ministries,<ref>{{cite web|language=es|url=https://www.rockandpop.cl/2019/06/el-nuevo-ministerio-de-ciudad-vivienda-y-territorio-anunciado-por-sebastian-pinera/|title=El nuevo Ministerio de Ciudad, Vivienda y Territorio anunciado por Sebastián Piñera|publisher=RockAndPop|date=3 June 2019}}</ref> a "gender equality" agenda,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msgg.gob.cl/wp/index.php/2018/05/23/todosportodas-presidente-pinera-anuncia-agenda-de-equidad-de-genero/|title=#TodosPorTodas: Presidente Piñera anuncia Agenda de Equidad de Género|publisher=Gobierno de Chile|language=es|date=23 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/Revisa-los-12-puntos-de-la-Agenda-de-Equidad-de-Genero-anunciada-por-Pinera|publisher=T13|date=23 May 2019|language=es|title=Revisa los 12 puntos de la Agenda de Equidad de Género presentada por el Gobierno}}</ref> the legalization of 300.000 illegal immigrants,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/04/09/america/1523294949_287480.html|language=es|title=Piñera anuncia en Chile la regularización gradual de 300.000 inmigrantes|date=9 April 2019|publisher=El País}}</ref> the increase of digital taxes,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.t13.cl/noticia/negocios/pinera-confirma-impuesto-plataformas-digitales-como-netflix-uber-y-spotify|title=Piñera confirma impuesto a plataformas digitales como Netflix, Uber y Spotify|language=es|publisher=T13|date=21 August 2018}}</ref> and maintain the 27% of corporate taxes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Piñera decide mantener tasa de impuesto a empresas en 27% por "dificultades heredadas"|language=es|url=http://www.economiaynegocios.cl/noticias/noticias.asp?id=474254|date=1 June 2018|publisher=Economía y Negocios}}</ref>

He also promoted the "Safe Classroom" law which regulates the expulsion of violent students from public schools,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mineduc.cl/2018/09/20/proyecto-de-ley-aula-segura/|title=Gobierno envía al Congreso Proyecto de Ley "Aula Segura"|date=20 September 2018|language=es|publisher=Gobierno de Chile}}</ref> a law which privileges the meritocracy in the admission to Chilean Schools<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/ministra-cubillos-defiende-proyecto-admision-justa-senala-actual-sistema-ciego-solo-ve-rut-del-nino/519480/|title=Nacional Ministra Cubillos defiende proyecto de Admisión Justa y señala que el actual sistema "es ciego y solo ve el rut del niño"|date=Febrary 7 2019|language=es|publisher=La Tercera}}</ref> and he refused to sign the [[UN Migrant Treaty|UN Global Migration Pact]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cooperativa.cl/noticias/pais/poblacion/inmigrantes/presidente-explico-nuevamente-por-que-chile-no-suscribio-el-pacto/2018-12-15/120055.html|title=Presidente explicó nuevamente por qué Chile no suscribió el Pacto Migratorio de la ONU|language=es|publisher=Cooperativa|date=15 December 2018}}</ref> however he signed the UN Refugee Pact.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emol.com/noticias/Internacional/2018/12/17/931170/ONU-adopta-Pacto-Mundial-sobre-Refugiados-con-el-apoyo-de-Chile-y-el-rechazo-de-EEUU.html|title=ONU adopta Pacto Mundial sobre Refugiados con el apoyo de Chile y el rechazo de EE.UU.|language=es|publisher=Emol|date=17 December 2018}}</ref>

In his first year of government, around 200,000 immigrants entered Chile, with a total of 1,251,225 new immigrants since 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.t13.cl/noticia/nacional/ine-poblacion-inmigrante-chile-llega-1.251.225-personas|language=es|publisher=T13|date=14 Febrary 2019|title=Inmigrantes en Chile llegan a 1.251.225 personas y venezolanos superan a peruanos por primera vez}}</ref> Piñera continued an [[open border]] policy similar to what his [[Michelle Bachelet|predecessor]] did, but under Piñera, it was a bit more regulated and the main new immigrants were [[Venezuela]]ns instead of [[Haiti]]ans.

The [[2019 Chilean State of Emergency]] occurred during Piñera's presidency.

==See also==
*[[José Antonio Kast]]
*[[Michelle Bachelet]]
*[[José Piñera]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122681802&ft=1&f=1004 Billionaire Sebastian Pinera Wins Chile Presidency]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piñera, Sebastián}}
[[Category:Presidents of Chile]]
[[Category:Current Heads of State]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Liberal Conservatism]]