Benjamin Netanyahu is the ninth and current Prime Minister of Israel, serving since March 2009, and the Chairman of the Likud Party. He is the first Israeli prime minister born after the state's founding. Netanyahu previously held the office from June 1996 to July 1999 and has served in key ministerial roles, including Foreign Minister (2002–2003) and Finance Minister (2003–2005). His political career began after a distinguished military service as a commander in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, where he participated in critical missions such as the rescue operation of hostages from the hijacked Sabena Flight 572 in 1972.
Netanyahu's leadership has been marked by his firm stance on national security and economic policy. After departing Ariel Sharon's government over disagreements on the Gaza Disengagement Plan, he reclaimed the Likud leadership in 2005. Despite Likud's initial electoral setbacks in 2006, Netanyahu became Opposition Leader and later formed a coalition government following the 2009 elections. He is the brother of Yonatan Netanyahu, a fallen Israeli Special Forces commander, and Iddo Netanyahu, a noted author and playwright. His tenure continues to shape Israel's political landscape.