Mint Explainer: Who is Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longtime prime minister?

livemint.com:

As Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza continues, one man has been at the centre of attention – Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also known as Bibi. Netanyahu has arguably been the central figure in Israel’s politics since the 1990s. His political longevity and his highly divisive time in office have made him one of Israel’s most consequential leaders.

Born in 1949 in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu spent much of his childhood in Israel and the United States. He returned to Israel and joined the military before serving in Sayeret Matkal, an elite commando unit. His elder brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, became a household name after he was killed leading the famed Entebbe raid to rescue hostages from a hijacked airline in 1976.

Netanyahu rose to prominence in the 1980s as a diplomat. During his spell as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, he was noted for his slick and effective media persona, which he acquired while defending Israel’s foreign policy in the US and at the UN. He entered politics soon afterwards and rose through the ranks quickly.

In 1996 he became Israel’s youngest ever prime minister and has remained a fixture of national politics ever since. Netanyahu has long backed a hardline stance on terrorism and national-security issues. His image as a tough prime minister has been an enduring political asset.

His critics, which include former US President Bill Clinton, allege that his hardline policies have reduced space for an understanding with the Palestinians. His support for illegal Jewish settlements on lands earmarked for an independent Palestinian state have invited much international censure. Yet, his tenure also saw the successful completion of the Abraham Accords, which saw Israel normalise ties with