Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel’s former prime minister is in the middle of another comeback

Having faced years of political chaos triggered by an ongoing corruption trial, ‘Bibi’ is set to extend his record as the country’s longest-serving prime minister, write David Harding and Chris Stevenson

Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara (AP)

After losing the 2021 Israeli general election, Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu had a message for all those revelling in his political demise.

“We’ll be back!” he said defiantly, as he relinquished Israel’s premiership in June last year after 12 years as the country’s leader. It sounded like both a promise and a threat.

Whatever it was, it has taken him just 17 months to be proved right. After last Tuesday’s election, Netanyahu is truly back.