Benjamin Netanyahu: The Longest-Serving PM Israel Has Ever Had

Benjamin Netanyahu has served as PM of Israel across three non-consecutive tenures since 1996. As of March 2026, he has surpassed David Ben-Gurion as the longest-serving PM in Israeli history.

His current term has been defined by the Gaza war, Operation Roaring Lion, and an active corruption trial.

Here’s a detailed breakdown.

How Did Netanyahu First Come to Power?

Netanyahu was first elected PM of Israel on May 29, 1996, defeating Shimon Peres by roughly one percent.

He became the youngest person ever to hold the office. He lost to Ehud Barak in 1999 but returned as PM in 2009.

What Was Netanyahu's Economic Record?

As finance minister between 2003 and 2005, Netanyahu introduced privatisation, cut the public sector, and reformed banking.

Per-capita GDP grew 60 percent between 2009 and 2020. Unemployment fell to a record low of 3.4 percent before the pandemic.

What Were the Abraham Accords?

Brokered under US President Donald Trump in 2020, the Abraham Accords established formal ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

The agreements transformed Israel-Gulf relations by leveraging shared concerns about Iran. The Gaza war has since strained those ties, with Saudi normalization now stalled.

What Corruption Charges Does Netanyahu Face?

Benjamin Netanyahu faces charges of bribery and breach of trust across three separate cases. He requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog in November 2025.

As per the Times of Israel, the Justice Ministry advised against granting it on March 9, 2026. The request advanced to Herzog's office on March 24.

Separately, his chief of staff Tzachi Braverman was formally interrogated over the alleged leak of classified documents to German newspaper Bild.

How Did October 7, 2023 Shape His Tenure?

The Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, triggered the Gaza war and reshaped Netanyahu's political standing entirely. Polls indicate over 75 percent of Israelis believe he should step down.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in connection with the Gaza conflict.

What Is Operation Roaring Lion?

On February 28, 2026, Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Roaring Lion alongside the US operation Epic Fury, striking Iranian nuclear sites, military infrastructure, and leadership targets.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Iran continues to retaliate with missile strikes on Israel.

Trump has signalled openness to a negotiated settlement, even as Netanyahu states Israel is "continuing to strike with force."

What Comes Next for Netanyahu?

Israeli elections are scheduled by October 27, 2026. Some in his coalition are pushing to advance the date to June or July, seeking a diplomatic win before the vote.

On March 26, Netanyahu announced plans to extend mandatory military service due to acute personnel shortages across multiple active fronts.

With the opposition pushing for a June 2026 election, Netanyahu is banking on a "total victory" in Operation Roaring Lion to restore his plummeting approval ratings, which have stayed at 40 percent even after the Iran strikes, as per the Times of Israel.

(With inputs from yMedia)