Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become Israel’s longest-serving prime minister.
Netanyahu, 69, on Saturday surpassed the number of days as prime minister held by David Ben Gurion, the country’s first prime minister.
Ben Gurion served in the office for 4,875 days, from the establishment of the state in May 1948 until early 1954, and again from November 1955 to June 1963.
On Saturday, Netanyahu served 4,876 days from 1996 to 1999, and from March 2009 to the present. He faces a new election on Sep. 17.
His election in 1996 made him the country’s youngest-ever prime minister. Twelve Israelis have served as prime minister since the founding of the state. And Netanyahu is the 16th longest-serving leader of a democratic country since the Second World War, according to statistics from the Israel Democracy Institute.
US President Donald Trump congratulated his friend saying, “Congratulations to Bibi @Netanyahu on becoming the longest serving PM in the history of Israel. Under your leadership, Israel has become a technology powerhouse and a world class economy. Most importantly you have led Israel with commitment to the values of democracy, freedom, and equal opportunity that both our nations cherish and share!”
Congratulations to Bibi @Netanyahu on becoming the longest serving PM in the history of Israel. Under your leadership, Israel has become a technology powerhouse and a world class economy….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2019
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