Background infromation on Benjamin Netanyahu

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-21-2009 17:24

Fifty-nine year old Netanyahu served as Israel's 9th prime minister from 1996 to 1999.

He was the country's youngest ever Prime Minister. His tenure was marked by disastrous relations with the Palestinians, failed peacemaking with Syria, the alienation of allies, an inability to rein in an unruly parliament, and corruption allegations that didn't stick.

In this Feb. 11, 2009 file photo, Israel's Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu addresses supporters at the Likud election headquarters at the convention center. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

Voters threw him out in early elections in 1999.

Before the current election, Netanyahu promised to expand settlements in the West Bank and said an agreement with the Palestinians is currently impossible.

Instead, he says Israel should try to jump-start the Palestinian economy while continuing its military occupation indefinitely.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei