Benjamin Netanyahu

{{Audio|He-Benjamin_Netanyahu.ogg|Benjamin Netanyahu}} (Hebrew: בִּנְיָמִין נְתַנְיָהוּ (without niqqudot: ?????? ??????), transliteration: Binyamin Netanyahu, nicknamed Bibi) (born October 21, 1949, Tel Aviv) was the 9th Prime Minister of Israel.

Political activity after 2000

In 2002, after the Israeli Labor party left power and vacated the position of foreign minister, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appointed Netanyahu as Foreign Minister. Netanyahu challenged Sharon for the leadership of the Likud party but failed to oust Sharon. After the 2003 elections, Netanyahu accepted the post of Finance Minister in a newly formed Sharon coalition. Netanyahu does not currently support the concept of a future Palestinian state, though on two occasions in 2001, he indicated willingness to consider the idea "Likud Central Committee Rejects Palestinian State".

Related Topics:
2002 - Israeli Labor party - Ariel Sharon - Likud - 2003

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As a Finance Minister, Netanyahu undertook an economic plan in order to restore Israel's economy from its low during the al-Aqsa Intifada. The plan involved a move towards more liberalised markets, although it has been seen by many opponents as controversial. Netanyahu succeeded to pass several long due reforms, including an important reform in the banking system, which increased GDP growth rate significantly.

Related Topics:
Al-Aqsa Intifada - Liberalised markets

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Netanyahu threatened to resign in 2004 unless the Gaza pullout plan was put to a referendum, but later lifted the ultimatum. He submitted his resignation letter on 7th August 2005, shortly before the Israeli cabinet voted by 17 to 5 to approve the initial phase of withdrawals of the Gaza Disengagement Plan. The resignation letter that Netanyahu submitted on 7th August 2005 officially came into force two days later.

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Today, Netanyahu is attempting to become leader of the Likud party once more, thereby making him Prime Minister. His most recent effort to do so was in his attempt (Sept. 2005) to schedule early primaries for the position of the head of the Likud party, while the party is still holding the office of Prime Minister- thus effectively pushing Ariel Sharon out of office. The party rejected this initiative.

Related Topics:
Likud

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