Editing Benjamin Netanyahu (section)

=== Second term ===
{{Further|Thirty-second government of Israel}}
[[File:Med-Netan.jpeg|thumb|Netanyahu in a meeting with President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] in Russia, 24 March 2011]]
[[File:Benjamin Netanyahu and Yohanan Danino 2012.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu with [[Yohanan Danino]], appointed Israel's chief of police in 2011]]
In 2009, US Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] voiced support for the establishment of a [[State of Palestine|Palestinian state]]&nbsp;– a solution not endorsed by [[Prime Minister of Israel|prime minister]]-designate Benjamin Netanyahu,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\story_4-3-2009_pg4_1 |title=Clinton pledges to press for Palestinian state |work=[[Daily Times (Pakistan)|Daily Times]]|location=Pakistan |date=4 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113111947/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C03%5C04%5Cstory_4-3-2009_pg4_1 |archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> with whom she had earlier pledged the United States' cooperation.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Israel, Clinton pledges to work with new government |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/world/africa/03iht-mideast.1.20555576.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014095518/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/world/africa/03iht-mideast.1.20555576.html |archive-date=14 October 2010 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |newspaper=The New York Times |date=3 March 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013}}</ref> Upon the arrival of President Obama administration's special envoy, [[George J. Mitchell|George Mitchell]], Netanyahu said that any furtherance of negotiations with the Palestinians would be conditioned on the Palestinians recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel demands Palestinians recognize Jewish state |first=Ari |last=Rabinovitch |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-demands-palestinians-recognize-jewish-state-250620 |website=[[International Business Times]] |date=16 April 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617115214/http://www.ibtimes.com/israel-demands-palestinians-recognize-jewish-state-250620 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During [[A New Beginning (speech)|President Obama's Cairo speech]] on 4 June 2009 in which Obama addressed the [[Muslim world]], Obama stated, among other things, "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements." Following Obama's Cairo speech Netanyahu immediately called a special government meeting. On 14 June, ten days after Obama's Cairo speech, Netanyahu gave a speech at Bar-Ilan University in which he endorsed a "Demilitarized Palestinian State", though said that Jerusalem must remain the unified capital of Israel.<ref name="Hatz 14Jun2009">{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-backs-demilitarized-palestinian-state-1.277915 |title=Netanyahu backs demilitarized Palestinian state |date=14 June 2009 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=31 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531053243/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-backs-demilitarized-palestinian-state-1.277915 |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu stated that he would accept a [[Palestinian state]] if [[Jerusalem]] were to remain [[Positions on Jerusalem|the united capital of Israel]], the Palestinians would have no army, and the Palestinians would give up their demand for a [[Palestinian right of return|right of return]]. He also argued the right for a "natural growth" in the [[Israeli settlement|existing Jewish settlements]] in the [[West Bank]] while their permanent status is up to further negotiation. Senior Palestinian official [[Saeb Erekat]] said that the speech had "closed the door to permanent status negotiations" due to Netanyahu's declarations on Jerusalem, refugees and settlements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2009 |title=Israel Accepts Unarmed Palestinian State |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-accepts-unarmed-palestinian-state/ |access-date=8 January 2024 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108010029/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-accepts-unarmed-palestinian-state/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Three months after starting his term, Netanyahu remarked that his cabinet already had achieved several notable successes, such as the establishment of a working [[coalition government|national unity government]], and a broad consensus for a "[[two-state solution]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu: We have consensus on two-state solution |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-we-have-consensus-on-two-state-solution-1.279374 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=5 July 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105003401/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-we-have-consensus-on-two-state-solution-1.279374 |url-status=live }}</ref> A July 2009 survey by [[Ha'aretz]] found that most Israelis supported the Netanyahu government, giving him a personal approval rating of about 49 percent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Poll Gives Netanyahu Positive Marks Despite Rift with US |first=Robert |last=Berger |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-07-03-voa19-68745072/410252.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=3 July 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124193621/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2009-07-03-voa19-68745072/410252.html |archive-date=24 January 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu has lifted checkpoints in the [[West Bank]] in order to allow freedom of movement and a flow of imports; a step that resulted in an economic boost in the West Bank.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nablus booms as barriers fall in occupied West Bank |first=Leigh |last=Baldwin |url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/Aug/11/Nablus-booms-as-barriers-fall-in-occupied-West-Bank.ashx |newspaper=The Daily Star |location=Lebanon |date=11 August 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=21 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721213049/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/Aug/11/Nablus-booms-as-barriers-fall-in-occupied-West-Bank.ashx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Thomas Friedman |title=Green Shoots in Palestine II |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09friedman.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |author-link=Thomas Friedman |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005011508/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09friedman.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Khaled |last=Abu Toameh |title=West Bank boom |url=http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=148995 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=17 July 2009 |access-date=17 June 2012 |archive-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127212513/http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=148995 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, Netanyahu welcomed the [[2002 Arab League summit|Arab Peace initiative]] (also known as the "Saudi Peace Initiative") and lauded a call by [[Bahrain]]'s [[Crown Prince]] [[Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa]] to normalize relations with Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu supports Arab peace initiative |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/24/Netanyahu-supports-Arab-peace-initiative/UPI-32111248433108/ |publisher=United Press International |date=24 July 2009 |access-date=9 August 2009 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128030318/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/07/24/Netanyahu-supports-Arab-peace-initiative/UPI-32111248433108/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu to Arabs: Saudi plan can help bring peace |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-to-arabs-saudi-plan-can-help-bring-peace-1.280615 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512045053/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-to-arabs-saudi-plan-can-help-bring-peace-1.280615 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2009, Palestinian Authority chairman [[Mahmoud Abbas]] declared that he would be willing to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the [[UN General Assembly]], where Netanyahu had accepted president Obama's invitation for a "triple summit", although he said it would not necessarily lead to negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767480,00.html|title=Palestinians: Abbas open to meeting with Netanyahu|last=Waked|first=Ali|date=26 September 2009|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827201019/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3767480,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Netanyahu was reported to be in a pivotal moment over these understandings, that were reported to include a compromise over permission on continuing the already approved construction in the [[West Bank]] in exchange for freezing all settlements thereafter, as well as continuing building in [[East Jerusalem]], and at the same time stopping the demolition of houses of Arab inhabitants there.<ref name="Maariv1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/937/362.html|script-title=he:התוכנית האמריקאית: פסגה צנועה והצהרת עקרונות|last=Bengal|first=Mia|date=2 September 2009|publisher=[[Maariv]]|language=he|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904201450/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART1/937/362.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 4 September 2009, it was reported that Netanyahu was to agree to settlers' political demands to approve more settlement constructions before a temporary settlement freeze agreement took place.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel to Approve More Settlement Construction Before Freeze |first=Robert |last=Berger |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2009-09-04-voa19-68663332/408369.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235431/http://www.voanews.com/content/a-13-2009-09-04-voa19-68663332/408369.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> White House spokesman [[Robert Gibbs]] expressed "regret" over the move;<ref>{{cite news |title=US, EU slam Netanyahu's approval of construction |first=Yitzhak |last=Benhorin |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3772205,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=4 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=25 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725053442/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3772205,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> however, one U.S. official said the move will not "derail [the] train".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0909/US_Settlement_move_wont_derail_train.html?showall|title=U.S official: Settlement move won't 'derail train'|last=Smith|first=Ben|date=4 September 2009|publisher=Politico|access-date=4 September 2009|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013061435/http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0909/US_Settlement_move_wont_derail_train.html?showall|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 September 2009, Netanyahu left his office without reporting where he was headed. The prime minister's military secretary, Maj. Gen. Meir Kalifi, later reported Netanyahu had visited a security facility in Israel.<ref name="dis-1">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3774201,00.html|title=Report: PM held secret talks in Russia|date=10 September 2009|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911092442/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3774201,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Several different news agencies reported several different stories about where he was.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3773829,00.html|title=Palestinian paper: Netanyahu visited Arab state|date=8 September 2009|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=11 September 2009|archive-date=11 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911070948/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3773829,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 September 2009, ''[[Yedioth Ahronoth]]'' reported that the Israeli leader had made a secret flight to Moscow to try to persuade Russian officials not to sell S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran.<ref name=dis-1/><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu secretly visited Russia: reports |first1=Amie |last1=Ferris-Rotman |first2=Jeffrey |last2=Heller |first3=Philippa |last3=Fletcher |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-russia-idUSTRE5882T420090909 |publisher=Reuters |date=9 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705000908/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/09/us-israel-russia-idUSTRE5882T420090909 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu absence sparks rumours of Russia visit |first1=Vita |last1=Bekker |first2=Charles |last2=Clover |first3=Stefan |last3=Wagstyl |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b5c17af8-9e69-11de-b0aa-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b5c17af8-9e69-11de-b0aa-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref> Headlines branded Netanyahu a "liar" and dubbed the affair a "fiasco".<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu draws fire in Israel over secret trip |first=Jeffrey |last=Heller |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu-idUSTRE5891YJ20090910 |publisher=Reuters |date=10 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=16 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216100041/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/09/10/us-israel-netanyahu-idUSTRE5891YJ20090910 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli PM's secret trip irks media |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/09/20099115339794467.html |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105165242/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2009/09/20099115339794467.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later reported that the PM's military secretary would be dismissed due to the affair.<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu aide likely to pay price for 'secret' Russia trip |first=Amos |last=Harel |author-link=Amos Harel |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-aide-likely-to-pay-price-for-secret-russia-trip-1.8085 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022202209/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-aide-likely-to-pay-price-for-secret-russia-trip-1.8085 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' reported that the trip was made to share the names of Russian scientists that Israel believes are abetting the alleged Iranian nuclear weapons program.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Uzi |last1=Mahnaimi |author2=Franchetti, Mark |author3=Swain, Jon |title=Israel names Russians helping Iran build nuclear bomb |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6860161.ece |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |date=4 October 2009 |access-date=4 October 2009 |archive-date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507002115/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6860161.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 24 September 2009, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Netanyahu said Iran poses a threat to the peace of the world and that it is incumbent on the world body to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.<ref name="un-1">{{cite news |title=Netanyahu speech / PM slams Gaza probe, challenges UN to confront Iran |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-speech-pm-slams-gaza-probe-challenges-un-to-confront-iran-1.7301 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=24 September 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125153643/http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-speech-pm-slams-gaza-probe-challenges-un-to-confront-iran-1.7301 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="un-2">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781710,00.html|title=PM to UN: Iran fueled by fundamentalism|date=24 September 2009|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=24 September 2009|archive-date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090927044400/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781710,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Waving the blueprints for Auschwitz and invoking the memory of his own family members murdered by the Nazis, Netanyahu delivered a passionate and public riposte to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's questioning of the Holocaust, asking: "Have you no shame?"<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's Netanyahu hits back at Iran's Holocaust claims |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Israels-Netanyahu-hits-back-at-Irans-Holocaust-claims/tabid/417/articleID/122747/Default.aspx |publisher=3 News |date=25 September 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004230113/http://www.3news.co.nz/Israels-Netanyahu-hits-back-at-Irans-Holocaust-claims/tabid/417/articleID/122747/Default.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In response to pressure from the Obama administration urging the sides to resume peace talks, on 25 November 2009 Netanyahu announced a partial 10-month settlement construction freeze plan. The announced partial freeze had no significant effect on actual settlement construction, according to an analysis by the major Israeli daily ''[[Haaretz]]''.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz |date=27 November 2009 |title=Analysis: Settlers Have Been Working for Months to Undermine Construction Freeze, Situation on the Ground Suggests that There Will Be Nearly No Change in Settlement Construction |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-settlers-have-been-working-for-months-to-undermine-construction-freeze-1.3310 |access-date=28 September 2010 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105011117/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/analysis-settlers-have-been-working-for-months-to-undermine-construction-freeze-1.3310 |url-status=live }}</ref> U.S. special envoy George Mitchell said, "while the United States shares Arab concerns about the limitations of Israel's gesture, it is more than any Israeli government has ever done".<ref>{{cite news |title=US Welcomes Israeli Settlement Move, Urges Palestinians to Enter Negotiations |first=David |last=Gollust |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-welcomes-israeli-settlement-move-urges-palestinians-to-enter-negotiations-73905167/415919.html |publisher=Voice of America |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235421/http://www.voanews.com/content/us-welcomes-israeli-settlement-move-urges-palestinians-to-enter-negotiations-73905167/415919.html |archive-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his announcement Netanyahu called the move "a painful step that will encourage the peace process" and urged the Palestinians to respond.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cabinet votes on 10-month building freeze |first=Roni |last=Sofer |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3810640,00.html |publisher=Ynetnews |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105043814/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3810640,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Palestinians rejected the call, stating the gesture was "insignificant" in that thousands of recently approved settlement buildings in the West Bank would continue to be built and there would be no freeze of settlement activity in East Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20091126-palestinans-reject-israeli-partial-settlement-freeze-offer |title=Palestinians reject Netanyahu's offer of partial settlement freeze |date=26 November 2009 |publisher=[[France 24]] |access-date=14 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128060132/http://www.france24.com/en/20091126-palestinans-reject-israeli-partial-settlement-freeze-offer |archive-date=28 November 2009 }}</ref>

In March 2010, Israel's government approved construction of an additional 1,600 apartments in a large Jewish housing development in northern East Jerusalem called [[Ramat Shlomo]]<ref name="jp2010-03-14">{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170912|title='We'll prevent future embarrassments'|date=14 March 2010|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=17 March 2010|archive-date=17 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317124228/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=170912|url-status=live}}</ref> despite the position of the current U.S. Government that acts such as this thwart the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The Israeli government's announcement occurred during a visit by U.S. Vice-president [[Joe Biden]] and the U.S. government subsequently issued a strongly worded condemnation of the plan.<ref name="t2010-03-16">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7062808.ece|title=Anger in Ramat Shlomo as settlement row grows|date=16 March 2010|work=[[The Times]]|location=London|first1=Sheera|last1=Frenkel|access-date=16 March 2010|archive-date=14 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814073308/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7062808.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> Netanyahu subsequently issued a statement that all previous Israeli governments had continuously permitted construction in the neighborhood, and that certain neighborhoods such as Ramat Shlomo and [[Gilo]] have always been included as part of Israel in any final agreement plan that has been proposed by either side to date.<ref name="jp2010-03-14"/> Netanyahu regretted the timing of the announcement but asserted that "our policy on Jerusalem is the same policy followed by all Israeli governments for the 42 years, and it has not changed."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu and Obama to meet Tuesday in Washington |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Natasha |last2=Mozgovaya |author2-link=Natasha Mozgovaya |first3=Jack |last3=Khoury |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-and-obama-to-meet-tuesday-in-washington-1.265096 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=21 March 2010 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024102517/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-and-obama-to-meet-tuesday-in-washington-1.265096 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Clinton Netanyahu Abbas Mitchell 2 Sep 2010.jpg|thumb|Netanyahu, [[Hillary Clinton]], [[George J. Mitchell]] and [[Mahmoud Abbas]] at the start of the [[Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians (2010-2011)|direct talks]], 2 September 2010]]
In September 2010, Netanyahu agreed to enter [[Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in 2010|direct talks]], mediated by the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]], with the Palestinians for the first time in a long while.<ref name="ap090110">{{cite news |title=Mideast peace talks open to qualified optimism |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38948469 |publisher=NBC News |date=1 September 2010 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004234845/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/38948469/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ultimate aim of these direct talks is to forge the framework of an official "final status settlement" to the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]] by forming a [[two-state solution]] for the [[Jewish people]] and the [[Palestinian people]]. On 27 September, the 10-month settlement freeze ended, and the Israeli government approved new construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. pushes talks as Israel resumes settlement building |first1=Jill |last1=Dougherty |first2=Elise |last2=Labott |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/27/us.mideast.peace.talks/index.html |work=CNN |date=27 September 2010 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225836/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/27/us.mideast.peace.talks/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On retiring from office in July 2011, former U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Robert Gates]] had said that Netanyahu was ungrateful to the United States and endangering Israel. Responding, the Likud party defended Netanyahu by saying that most Israelis supported the prime minister and that he had broad support in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Likud defends Netanyahu after report Gates called him 'ungrateful' |first1=Barak |last1=Ravid |first2=Eli |last2=Ashkenazi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/likud-defends-netanyahu-after-report-gates-called-him-ungrateful-1.382875 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 September 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=6 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906150408/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/likud-defends-netanyahu-after-report-gates-called-him-ungrateful-1.382875 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gates called Netanyahu an ungrateful ally to U.S. and a danger to Israel |first=Barak |last=Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/gates-called-netanyahu-an-ungrateful-ally-to-u-s-and-a-danger-to-israel-1.382828 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 September 2011 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-date=27 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127012658/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/gates-called-netanyahu-an-ungrateful-ally-to-u-s-and-a-danger-to-israel-1.382828 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Netanyahu unsuccessfully called for the early release of [[Jonathan Pollard]], an American serving a life sentence for passing secret U.S. documents to Israel in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-01-19 |title=Netanyahu And Foe Tangle Over Pollard |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/1999/01/19/netanyahu-and-foe-tangle-over-pollard/ |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=[[New York Daily News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He has raised the issue at the [[Wye River (Maryland)|Wye River]] Summit in 1998, where he claimed that U.S. president Bill Clinton had privately agreed to release Pollard.<ref>Ross, Dennis. ''Statecraft: And How to Restore America's Standing in the World''. 2008, p. 213</ref><ref>Clinton, Bill. ''My Life: The Presidential Years''. 2005, p. 468</ref> In 2002, Netanyahu visited Pollard at his [[North Carolina]] prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netanyahu.org/forpmnetvisp.html |title=Former PM Netanyahu Visits Pollard in Prison |publisher=Netanyahu.org |access-date=27 October 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927024149/http://www.netanyahu.org/forpmnetvisp.html |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mozgovaya |first=Natasha |author-link=Natasha Mozgovaya |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-formally-call-for-release-of-convicted-spy-jonathan-pollard-1.331860 |title=Netanyahu to formally call for release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029064455/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/netanyahu-to-formally-call-for-release-of-convicted-spy-jonathan-pollard-1.331860 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Israeli prime minister maintained contact with Pollard's wife, and was active in pressing the Obama administration to release Pollard.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Netanyahu-reassures-Esther-Pollard-ahead-of-DC-trip |title=Netanyahu reassures Esther Pollard ahead of DC trip |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=19 May 2011 |access-date=27 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919092802/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=221407 |archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=lettertoobama>{{cite news |last=Lis |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-s-plea-to-obama-release-jonathan-pollard-1.335262 |title=Netanyahu's plea to Obama: Release Jonathan Pollard |work=Haaretz |location=Israel |date=9 November 2010 |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104150509/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-s-plea-to-obama-release-jonathan-pollard-1.335262 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2011, [[2011 Israeli social justice protests|social justice protests]] broke out across Israel. Hundreds of thousands of people protested Israel's high cost of living throughout the country. In response, Netanyahu appointed the [[Trajtenberg Committee]], headed by professor [[Manuel Trajtenberg]], to examine the problems and propose solutions. The committee submitted recommendations to lower the high cost of living in September 2011.<ref>{{cite press release|title=The recommendations of the Trajtenberg Committee were submitted today to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance |url=http://www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/FinanceIsrael/Docs/En/pressReleases/20110927.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Finance |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218031119/http://www.financeisrael.mof.gov.il/FinanceIsrael/Docs/En/pressReleases/20110927.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> Although Netanyahu promised to push the proposed reforms through the cabinet in one piece, differences inside his coalition resulted in the reforms being gradually adopted.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Moti Bassok |author2=Jonathan Lis |name-list-style=amp |title=Netanyahu strikes deal with Yisrael Beiteinu to approve Trajtenberg report |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/netanyahu-strikes-deal-with-yisrael-beiteinu-to-approve-trajtenberg-report-1.388958 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=9 October 2011 |access-date=27 January 2012 |archive-date=21 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121030317/http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/netanyahu-strikes-deal-with-yisrael-beiteinu-to-approve-trajtenberg-report-1.388958 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Avi Bar-Eli, Meirav Arlosoroff |author2=Ora Coren |name-list-style=amp |title=Despite PM's promises, most Trajtenberg recommendations may never become law |url=http://english.themarker.com/despite-pm-s-promises-most-trajtenberg-recommendations-may-never-become-law-1.395637 |newspaper=The Marker |date=15 November 2011 |access-date=27 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116034934/http://english.themarker.com/despite-pm-s-promises-most-trajtenberg-recommendations-may-never-become-law-1.395637 |archive-date=16 January 2012 }}</ref>

Netanyahu's cabinet also approved a plan to build a [[Optical fiber cable|fiber-optic cable]] network across the country to bring cheap, high-speed [[fiber-optic communication|fiber-optic]] Internet access to every home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tradebridgeconsultants.com/news/government/cabinet-announces-fibre-optic-internet-access-in-every-home/|title=Israel – Campaigning – Cabinet announces fibre optic internet access in every home|publisher=Trade Bridge Consultants|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119105927/http://tradebridgeconsultants.com/news/government/cabinet-announces-fibre-optic-internet-access-in-every-home/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000857455|title=Israelis are already winners from the fiber optic venture|first=Gad|last=Perez|date=26 June 2013|newspaper=Globes|access-date=11 August 2015|archive-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729033634/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000857455|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Netanyahu initially planned to call early elections, but subsequently oversaw the creation of a controversial government of national unity to see Israel through until the national elections of 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-surprise-move-netanyahu-mofaz-agree-to-form-unity-government-cancel-early-elections-1.428843 |title=In surprise move, Netanyahu, Mofaz agree to form unity government, cancel early elections |last1=Lis |first1=Jonathan |last2=Bar-Zohar |first2=Ophir |date=8 May 2012 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509022225/http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/in-surprise-move-netanyahu-mofaz-agree-to-form-unity-government-cancel-early-elections-1.428843 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2012, Netanyahu officially recognized for the first time the right for Palestinians to have their own state in an official document, a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, though as before<ref name="Hatz 14Jun2009" /> he declared it would have to be demilitarized.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pledges-to-establish-demilitarized-palestinian-state/ |title=PM promises Abbas a demilitarized Palestinian state |last1=Winer |first1=Stuart |last2=Ahren |first2=Raphael |date=14 May 2012 |newspaper=The Times of Israel |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=17 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517003049/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pledges-to-establish-demilitarized-palestinian-state/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 25 October 2012, Netanyahu and Foreign Minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] announced that their respective political parties, [[Likud]] and [[Yisrael Beiteinu]], had merged and would run together on a single ballot in Israel's 22 January 2013 general elections.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leshem|first=Elie|title=Netanyahu, Liberman announce they'll run joint list for Knesset|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=27 October 2012|archive-date=27 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027064830/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/|url-status=live}}</ref>