But with the failure to form a government putting a dent in his aura of invincibility, a new election around the corner that does not appear poised to leave him in a better political position, and the prospects of criminal proceedings on the near horizon, he may very well be facing his steepest challenge yet. In Streetwise Hebrew for the Times of Israel Community, each month we learn several colloquial Hebrew phrases around a common theme.
These are bite-size audio Hebrew classes that we think you'll really enjoy. This month, we're learning phrases on the topic of strength and power. Ready to get tough with us? So now we have a request. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu smiles as he votes during Israel's parliamentary elections in Jerusalem, on April 9, He denies wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a politically motivated "witch hunt" engineered by his opponents. He went on trial in May , becoming the first serving prime minister to do so and defying calls by opponents to step down.
Even under the cloud of criminal allegations, Mr Netanyahu survived three deadlocked general elections in less than a year and won a record fifth term, agreeing to share power with political rival Benny Gantz in a rare government of national unity established to deal with the coronavirus emergency. Its collapse after only eight months triggered a fourth election in two years. Although the Likud won the most seats, opposition among other right-wing parties to Mr Netanyahu's continuation as prime minister meant he could not secure a majority.
Instead, a spectrum of parties from far left to far right, backed by Arab MPs, formed a so-called "change government" in an arrangement never-before-seen in Israel, and in June mustered enough votes in parliament to take power, finally ending Mr Netanyahu's era. Image source, EPA. Netanyahu was Israel's longest serving leader - and it's first to go on trial. Brother's legacy. Mr Netanyahu R was a captain of the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit. Rise to power. Image source, Getty Images.
Mr Netanyahu had a loyal political base in the Likud party. Political revival. Conflict in Gaza. Image source, AFP. Israel has fought four major conflicts with militants in Gaza. Trump ties. Netanyahu found renewed political support from the US under Donald Trump. Spectacle of trial. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. During the past two decades, the nowyear-old former commando has repeatedly won elections on promises of making Israel secure and prosperous, while sidelining the Palestinians.
Despite passing the historic milestone, Netanyahu still needs to win a September election and survive three impending corruption cases to continue his long tenure. His supporters claim Israel has never been richer, safer or more globally accepted, including by leaders of Arab states.
Critics argue he has opened fissures in Israeli society, stigmatised minorities to win elections, crushed progressive and human rights activism and encouraged the rise of far-right politics into government.
Netanyahu later made an election pact with a group of far-right extremists called Jewish Power. In his party, the rightwing Likud, Netanyahu has remained at the top, even when it appeared scandals and crises might take him down. Under his leadership, control over Palestinian life has become entrenched. The military occupation of the West Bank is tightly managed, while Jewish settlement construction has spread, giving Netanyahu support from hawkish and pro-settler sections of society.
Israel remained stuck and he personally profited from his zero progress.
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