Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician who has served multiple terms as Prime Minister of Israel, making him the longest-serving leader in the country's history. He is the chairman of the Likud party, a right-wing political movement that has dominated Israeli politics for decades. Netanyahu first became prime minister in 1996 and has held the office for several non-consecutive terms, most recently returning to power in late 2022. His political career has been marked by a focus on security issues, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear programme and relations with Palestinian territories. Netanyahu played a central role in the Abraham Accords, a series of normalisation agreements signed in 2020 between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which reshaped diplomatic relations in the Middle East. His tenure has been characterised by close ties with the United States, particularly during Republican administrations, and a hawkish stance on regional security threats. Netanyahu has also faced domestic challenges, including corruption charges and mass protests over proposed judicial reforms. His government's policies have significant implications for regional stability, affecting relations with neighbouring countries and broader geopolitical dynamics involving the Red Sea, Horn of Africa and Gulf states. Before entering politics, Netanyahu served in the Israeli Defence Forces and worked as a diplomat, including a stint as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in the 1980s.