Editing Benjamin Netanyahu (section)

=== Fourth term ===
{{further|Thirty-fourth government of Israel}}
[[File:SecStae viasit April 2018 (41884908901).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu and US secretary of state [[Mike Pompeo]]]]
[[File:Joseph Dunford visit to Israel, May 2017 DSC 3508 (33798189093).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu, [[Joseph Dunford]] and Jewish veterans of the [[Red Army]], [[Victory Day (9 May)|Victory Day]] in Jerusalem, 9 May 2017]]
[[File:President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 President Trump at the Israel Museum. Jerusalem May 23, 2017 (34460980460).jpg|thumb|Netanyahu meets with President [[Donald Trump]] in Jerusalem, May 2017.]]
[[File:President of Ukraine held a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel, January 2018.III.jpeg|thumb|Netanyahu meets with Ukrainian president [[Petro Poroshenko]], 24 January 2018.]]
[[File:President Trump Welcome the Prime Minister of Israel to the White House, 25 March 2019.jpg|thumb|President Trump, joined by Netanyahu behind, signs the proclamation [[United States recognition of the Golan Heights as part of Israel|recognizing]] Israel's 1981 [[Golan Heights Law|annexation]] of the [[Golan Heights]], March 2019.]]
In the [[2015 Israeli legislative election|2015 election]], Netanyahu returned with his party Likud leading the elections with 30 mandates, making it the single highest number of seats for the Knesset. President Rivlin granted Netanyahu an extension until 6 May 2015 to build a coalition when one had not been finalized in the first four weeks of negotiations.<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Rivlin-grants-Netanyahu-2-week-extension-to-form-coalition-398640 "Rivlin grants Netanyahu 2 week extension to form coalition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505055231/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Rivlin-grants-Netanyahu-2-week-extension-to-form-coalition-398640 |date=5 May 2015 }}, ''The Jerusalem Post'', 20 April 2015</ref> He formed a coalition government within two hours of the midnight 6 May deadline.<ref name="TimesIsrael05062015">{{cite news |date=6 May 2015 |title=In the 11th hour, Netanyahu finalizes 61-strong coalition |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-the-11th-hour-netanyahu-finalizes-61-strong-coalition/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |location=[[Jerusalem]] |access-date=6 May 2015 |quote=Prime minister reaches deal with Jewish home's Bennett, finalizing a right-wing government; two men set to deliver a statement; Ayelet Shaked will be named justice minister. |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223752/http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-the-11th-hour-netanyahu-finalizes-61-strong-coalition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His Likud party formed the coalition with [[The Jewish Home|Jewish Home]], [[United Torah Judaism]], [[Kulanu]], and [[Shas]].<ref name="TimesIsrael05062015"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Heller |first=Jeffery |date=6 May 2015 |title=Netanyahu clinches deal to form new Israeli government |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics-idUSKBN0NR29R20150506 |publisher=Reuters |location=London |access-date=6 May 2015 |archive-date=6 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506223755/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/06/us-israel-politics-idUSKBN0NR29R20150506 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 28 May 2015, Netanyahu announced that he would be running for an unprecedented fifth term as prime minister in the next general election and that he supports Likud's current process of picking MK candidates.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |date=28 May 2015 |title=Netanyahu vows to run in next election, boost Likud |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-vows-to-run-in-next-election-boost-Likud-404319 |newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |location=[[Jerusalem]], [[Israel]] |access-date=28 May 2015 |quote=Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared for the first time Wednesday that he intends to run for an unprecedented fifth term in the next general election, promising to lead the Likud to 40 seats. |archive-date=28 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528011414/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-vows-to-run-in-next-election-boost-Likud-404319 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2015, Netanyahu's government approved a two-year budget that would see agricultural reforms and lowering of import duties to reduce [[food prices]], deregulation of the approval process in construction to lower housing costs and speed up infrastructure building, and reforms in the financial sector to boost competition and lower fees for financial services.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-passes-state-budget-for-2015-2016/|title=Cabinet approves state budget for 2015–2016|newspaper=The Times of Israel|author=Winer, Stuart|date=6 August 2015|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227234957/https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-passes-state-budget-for-2015-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Government-approves-2015-2016-budget-after-marathon-session-411294|title=State budget passes after marathon talks|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|first=Gil|last=Hoffman|date=6 August 2015|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227100250/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Government-approves-2015-2016-budget-after-marathon-session-411294|url-status=live}}</ref> In the end, the government was forced to compromise by removing some key agricultural reforms.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.686444|title=Israel Set to Pass a Disappointing Budget|first=Nehemia|last=Shtrasler|date=17 November 2015|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104115422/http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.686444|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2015, Netanyahu drew widespread criticism for claiming that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, [[Haj Amin al-Husseini]], gave [[Adolf Hitler]] the idea for the [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]] in the preceding months to the [[Second World War]], convincing the Nazi leader to exterminate Jews rather than just expel them from Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=PM Netanyahu at the 37th Zionist World Congress |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=293&v=mZbMf7vDU6g&feature=youtu.be |website=YouTube | date=20 October 2015 |publisher=IsraeliPM |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321024611/https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=293&v=mZbMf7vDU6g&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title = Netanyahu, Saying Palestinian Mufti Inspired Holocaust, Draws Broad Criticism|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/netanyahu-saying-palestinian-mufti-inspired-holocaust-draws-broad-criticism.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 21 October 2015|access-date = 21 October 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Jodi|last = Rudoren|archive-date = 21 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021211809/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/22/world/middleeast/netanyahu-saying-palestinian-mufti-inspired-holocaust-draws-broad-criticism.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Richards | first = Victoria | date = 21 October 2015 | title = Benjamin Netanyahu blames Holocaust on Palestinian leader Haj Amin al-Husseini | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-blames-holocaust-on-palestinian-leader-haj-amin-al-husseini-a6702091.html | newspaper = The Independent | access-date = 21 October 2015 | archive-date = 21 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151021222756/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/benjamin-netanyahu-blames-holocaust-on-palestinian-leader-haj-amin-al-husseini-a6702091.html | url-status = live }}</ref> This idea is dismissed by mainstream historians,<ref>{{cite news | title = Netanyahu: Hitler Didn't Want to Exterminate the Jews | url = http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.681525 | newspaper = Haaretz | date = 21 October 2015 | access-date = 23 October 2015 | archive-date = 23 October 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151023005805/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.681525 | url-status = live }}</ref> who note that al-Husseini's meeting with Hitler took place approximately five months after the mass murder of Jews began.<ref name = "Hatz months before">{{cite news |last= Aderet |first= Ofer |date= 22 October 2015 |title= Mass murder of Jews in Europe started months before Hitler met mufti, historians say |url= http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.681661 |newspaper= Haaretz |access-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151023023117/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.681661 |url-status= live }}</ref> German Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] said she did not accept Netanyahu's claims, and reiterated an acceptance of her country's crimes during the Nazi era.<ref>{{cite news | last = Connolly | first = Kate | date = 21 October 2015 | title = Germany refuses to accept Netanyahu's claim Palestinian inspired Holocaust | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/21/germany-refuses-accept-binjamin-netanyahu-claim-adolf-hitler-holocaust | newspaper = The Guardian | access-date = 21 October 2015 | archive-date = 19 October 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211019074639/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/21/germany-refuses-accept-binjamin-netanyahu-claim-adolf-hitler-holocaust | url-status = live }}</ref> Netanyahu later explained that his "aim was not to absolve Hitler from the responsibility he bears, but to show that the father of the Palestinian nation at the time, without a state and before the 'occupation', without the territories and with the settlements, even then aspired with systemic incitement for the destruction of the Jews."<ref name="Sokol">{{cite news |last= Sokol |first= Sam |date= 21 October 2015 |title= Netanyahu's Holocaust distortion obscures Mufti's collaboration, say historians |url= http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahus-Holocaust-distortion-obscures-Muftis-collaboration-say-historians-428670 |newspaper= The Jerusalem Post |access-date= 21 October 2015 |archive-date= 21 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151021205225/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahus-Holocaust-distortion-obscures-Muftis-collaboration-say-historians-428670 |url-status= live }}</ref> Some of the strongest criticism came from Israeli academics: [[Yehuda Bauer]] said Netanyahu's claim was "completely idiotic",<ref name = "Hatz months before"/> while [[Moshe Zimmermann]] stated that "any attempt to deflect the burden from Hitler to others is a form of [[Holocaust denial]]."<ref>{{cite news |last= Tate |first= Emily |date= 22 October 2015 |title= Under-fire Netanyahu criticised over 'a form of Holocaust denial' |url= http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/underfire-netanyahu-criticised-over-a-form-of-holocaust-denial-34130477.html |newspaper= [[Irish Independent]] |access-date= 23 October 2015 |archive-date= 2 January 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160102062916/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/underfire-netanyahu-criticised-over-a-form-of-holocaust-denial-34130477.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

In March 2016, Netanyahu's coalition faced a potential crisis as ultra-Orthodox members threatened to withdraw over the government's proposed steps to create non-Orthodox prayer space at the [[Western Wall]]. They have stated they will leave the coalition if the government offers any further official state recognition of Conservative and [[Reform Judaism]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-facing-crisis-as-Haredim-vow-to-quit-over-Western-Wall-pluralism-447102|title=Netanyahu facing crisis as haredim vow to quit over Western Wall pluralism|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=7 March 2016|first1=Arik|last1=Bender|first2=Jeremy|last2=Sharon|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224200607/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-facing-crisis-as-Haredim-vow-to-quit-over-Western-Wall-pluralism-447102|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 23 December 2016, the [[United States]], under the [[Obama Administration]], abstained from [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334]], effectively allowing it to pass.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Collinson | first1=Stephen | last2=Wright | first2=David | last3=Labott | first3=Elise | title=US Abstains as UN Demands End to Israeli Settlements | url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/politics/israel-official-rips-obama-un-settlements/ | date=24 December 2016 | publisher=CNN | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=6 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106160100/http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/politics/israel-official-rips-obama-un-settlements/ | url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 December, U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] strongly criticized Israel and its [[Israeli settlement|settlement policies]] in a speech.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Sanger | first1=David E. | title=Kerry Rebukes Israel, Calling Settlements a Threat to Peace | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/us/politics/john-kerry-israel-palestine-peace.html?_r=0 | date=28 December 2016 | newspaper=The New York Times | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=3 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103150801/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/us/politics/john-kerry-israel-palestine-peace.html?_r=0 | url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu strongly criticized both the UN Resolution<ref>{{cite news | last1=Barak | first1=Ravid | title=Netanyahu on UN Settlement Vote: Israel Will Not Turn the Other Cheek | url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.761470 | date=26 December 2016 | newspaper=[[Haaretz]] | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107024914/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.761470 | url-status=live }}</ref> and Kerry's speech<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel-Palestinians: Netanyahu Condemns John Kerry Speech | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38455753 | date=29 December 2016 | publisher=BBC News | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 December 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207115847/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38455753 | url-status=live }}</ref> in response. On 6 January 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6&nbsp;million in [[United States dollar]]s.<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel Halts $6 million to UN to Protest UN Settlements Vote | url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote | date=6 January 2017 | publisher=[[Fox News]] (from the [[Associated Press]]) | access-date=7 January 2017 | archive-date=7 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107160546/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 February 2017, Netanyahu became the first serving prime minister of Israel to visit [[Australia]]. He was accompanied by his wife, Sara. The three-day official visit included a delegation of business representatives, and Netanyahu and [[Prime Minister of Australia]] [[Malcolm Turnbull]] were scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements. Netanyahu recalled that it was the [[Australian Light Horse#Formation and organisation|Australian Light Horse regiments]] that [[Battle of Beersheba (1917)|liberated]] [[Beersheba]] during [[World War I]], and this began what has been a relationship of 100 years between the countries.<ref name="2017-02-22_ABC">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/benjamin-netanyahu-arrives-in-sydney/8291846 "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in Sydney amid controversy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222073145/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-22/benjamin-netanyahu-arrives-in-sydney/8291846 |date=22 February 2017 }}, [[ABC News Online]], 22 February 2017</ref>

On 12 October 2017, shortly after the United States announced the same action, Netanyahu's government announced it was leaving [[UNESCO]] due to what it saw as anti-Israel actions by the agency,<ref>{{cite news | title=Israel to Join US in Quitting Unesco | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41598991 | date=12 October 2017 | publisher=[[BBC News]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=27 December 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227020019/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41598991 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Irish | first1=John | title=U.S., Israel Quit U.N. Heritage Agency Citing Bias | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unesco-election-usa/u-s-israel-quit-u-n-heritage-agency-citing-bias-idUSKBN1CH1YO | date=12 October 2017 | publisher=[[Reuters]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=28 March 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328082539/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-unesco-election-usa/u-s-israel-quit-u-n-heritage-agency-citing-bias-idUSKBN1CH1YO | url-status=live }}</ref> and it made that decision official in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Landau | first1=Noa | title=Following in U.S.' Footsteps, Israel Announces Exit From UNESCO | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/following-u-s-footsteps-israel-announces-exit-from-unesco-1.5629428 | date=22 December 2017 | newspaper=[[Haaretz]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072833/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/following-u-s-footsteps-israel-announces-exit-from-unesco-1.5629428 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Israel Joins US in Announcing Withdrawal from UNESCO | url=https://www.jta.org/2017/12/24/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-joins-us-in-announcing-withdrawal-from-unesco | date=24 December 2017 | publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072530/https://www.jta.org/2017/12/24/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-joins-us-in-announcing-withdrawal-from-unesco | url-status=live }}</ref> The Israeli government officially notified UNESCO of the withdrawal in late December 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title=Joining US, Israel Formally Notifies UNESCO of Withdrawal | url=http://p.dw.com/p/2q7im | date=29 December 2017 | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=20 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120164215/https://www.dw.com/en/joining-us-israel-formally-notifies-unesco-of-withdrawal/a-41975412 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Landau | first1=Noa | title=Israel Officially Resigns From UNESCO, Following U.S. | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-officially-resigns-from-unesco-following-u-s-1.5630021 | date=31 December 2017 | newspaper=[[Haaretz]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123073114/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-officially-resigns-from-unesco-following-u-s-1.5630021 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Hacohen | first1=Hagay | title=Racing Against the Clock, Israel Submits Letter Quitting UNESCO | url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-cant-submit-resignation-from-UNESCO-letter-over-holiday-break-520296 | date=29 December 2017 | newspaper=[[The Jerusalem Post]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=21 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121210518/http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-cant-submit-resignation-from-UNESCO-letter-over-holiday-break-520296 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Israel Says it Succeeded in Bid to Withdraw from UNESCO by 2019, Official Says | url=https://www.jta.org/2017/12/29/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-successfully-announced-withdrawal-from-unesco-by-2019-official-says | date=29 December 2017 | publisher=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] | access-date=22 January 2018 | archive-date=23 January 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123131616/https://www.jta.org/2017/12/29/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israel-successfully-announced-withdrawal-from-unesco-by-2019-official-says | url-status=live }}</ref>

On 30 April 2018, Netanyahu accused Iran of not holding up its end of the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|Iran nuclear deal]] after presenting [[Project Amad|a cache]] of over 100,000 documents detailing the extent of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denounced Netanyahu's presentation as "propaganda".<ref>{{cite news |date=30 April 2018 |title=Netanyahu Unveils Secret Iranian Nuclear Program |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/WATCH-LIVE-Netanyahu-address-the-nation-discussing-dramatic-Iran-news-553124 |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906045830/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/watch-live-netanyahu-address-the-nation-discussing-dramatic-iran-news-553124 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Netanyahu praised the [[2018 North Korea–United States summit]]. He said in a statement, "I commend US President Donald Trump on the historic summit in Singapore. This is an important step in the effort to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons."<ref>{{cite news |title=Netanyahu congratulates Trump on Kim summit, Iran policy |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/177024-180612-netanyahu-congratulates-trump-on-kim-summit-iran-policy |publisher=i24NEWS |date=12 June 2018 |access-date=24 June 2018 |archive-date=26 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426065931/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/177024-180612-netanyahu-congratulates-trump-on-kim-summit-iran-policy |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 July 2018, the Knesset passed the [[Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People|Nation-State Bill]], a [[Basic Laws of Israel|Basic Law]] supported by Netanyahu's coalition government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halbfinger |first1=David M. |last2=Kershner |first2=Isabel |title=Israeli Law Declares the Country the 'Nation-State of the Jewish People' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/middleeast/israel-law-jews-arabic.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719102342/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/middleeast/israel-law-jews-arabic.html |archive-date=19 July 2018 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lis |first1=Jonathan |last2=Landau |first2=Noa |title=Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=[[Haaretz]] |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726064526/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eglash |first1=Ruth |title=Contentious Nation-State Law Declaring Israel the Jewish Homeland Approved by Lawmakers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lawmakers-approve-nationalistic-bill-declaring-israel-the-jewish-homeland/2018/07/19/0ef9410e-8ac0-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html |date=19 July 2018 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064153/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/lawmakers-approve-nationalistic-bill-declaring-israel-the-jewish-homeland/2018/07/19/0ef9410e-8ac0-11e8-9d59-dccc2c0cabcf_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Analysts saw the bill as a sign of Netanyahu's coalition advancing a right-wing agenda.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Halbfinger |first1=David M. |title=Israel Cements Right-Wing Agenda in a Furious Week of Lawmaking |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721011943/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu.html |archive-date=21 July 2018 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |date=20 July 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=23 July 2018}}</ref>

Prior to the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election]], Netanyahu helped broker a deal that united the [[The Jewish Home|Jewish Home]] party<ref name="jpost.com">{{cite news|first=Michal|last=Wilner|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Netanyahu-says-he-will-accept-Kahanists-in-government-Who-are-they-581247|title=Who are the Kahanists of Otzma Netanyahu opened Knesset door to? – Israel Elections|access-date=11 March 2019|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218093404/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Netanyahu-says-he-will-accept-Kahanists-in-government-Who-are-they-581247|url-status=live}}</ref> with the far-right [[Otzma Yehudit]] party, in order to form the [[Union of the Right-Wing Parties]]. The motivation of the deal was to overcome the [[electoral threshold]] for smaller parties. The deal was criticized in the media, as Otzma is widely characterized as racist and traces its origins to the extremist [[Kahanism|Kahanist]] movement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225033056/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |archive-date=25 February 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Netanyahu Sparks Outrage Over Pact With Racist Party|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|date=24 February 2019|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5467651,00.html|title=Otzma Yehudit's history of racism and provocation|date=21 February 2019|website=Ynetnews|first=Dror|last=Liba|access-date=14 March 2019|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421223525/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5467651,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Criminal investigations and indictment====
{{Main|Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu}}
Since January 2017, Netanyahu has been investigated and questioned by Israeli police in two cases, "Case 1000" and "Case 2000". The two cases are connected. In Case 1000, Netanyahu is suspected of having obtained inappropriate favors from businessmen, including [[James Packer]] and Hollywood producer [[Arnon Milchan]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Amnon Abramovich |url=http://reshet.tv/item/news/politics/politics/suspected-of-accepting-favors-82058/ |script-title=he:תיק הבדיקה נגד נתניהו נחשף: ראש הממשלה חשוד בקבלת טובות הנאה |language=he |trans-title=Examination file against Netanyahu revealed: Prime Minister is suspected of receiving favors |publisher=[[Reshet]] |access-date=29 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230091611/http://reshet.tv/item/news/politics/politics/suspected-of-accepting-favors-82058/ |archive-date=30 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/06/netanyahu-questioned-israeli-police-second-time-graft-probe/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/06/netanyahu-questioned-israeli-police-second-time-graft-probe/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |agency=Associated Press |title=Netanyahu questioned by Israeli police for a second time in graft probe|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Case 2000 involves alleged attempts to strike a deal with the publisher of the ''Yedioth Ahronot'' newspaper group, [[Arnon Mozes]], to promote legislation to weaken Yedioth's main competitor, [[Israel Hayom]], in exchange for more favorable coverage of Netanyahu.

On 3 August 2017, Israeli police confirmed for the first time that Netanyahu was suspected of crimes involving fraud, breach of trust, and bribes in cases "1000" and "2000".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-netanyahu-suspected-bribery-fraud-israel-police/ |title=Benjamin Netanyahu suspected of bribery, fraud, Israeli police say |work=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428144321/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/benjamin-netanyahu-suspected-bribery-fraud-israel-police/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, it was reported that the prime minister's former chief of staff, [[Ari Harow]], had signed a deal with prosecutors to testify against Netanyahu in these cases.<ref>{{cite news |first=Revital |last=Hovel |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/former-netanyahu-aide-reaches-deal-to-become-state-s-witness-1.5440062 |title=Former Netanyahu Aide Ari Harow Reaches Deal to Become State's Witness |work=Haaretz |date=4 August 2017 |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428144326/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/former-netanyahu-aide-reaches-deal-to-become-state-s-witness-1.5440062 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Jerusalem demonstrations 06.jpg|thumb|[[Protests against Benjamin Netanyahu (2020)|Israelis protest against Netanyahu]] outside [[Beit Aghion|his official residence]] in Jerusalem on 30 July 2020]]
On 13 February 2018, Israeli police recommended that Netanyahu be charged with corruption. According to a police statement, sufficient evidence exists to indict the prime minister on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in the two cases. Netanyahu responded that the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43051249|title=Israel PM Netanyahu faces corruption charges|date=13 February 2018|publisher=BBC News|access-date=13 February 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329035934/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43051249|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 November 2018, it was reported that Economic Crimes Division Director Liat Ben-Ari recommended indictment for both cases.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Report-Netanyahus-prosecutor-recommends-indictment-in-two-cases-572785|title=Report: Netanyahu's prosecutor recommends indictment in two cases|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=26 November 2018|archive-date=29 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329042733/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Report-Netanyahus-prosecutor-recommends-indictment-in-two-cases-572785|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 28 February 2019, the Israeli attorney general announced his intent to file indictments against Netanyahu on bribe and fraud charges in three different cases.<ref name="indictments">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-bribe-fraud-charges-n977571|title=Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be indicted on corruption charges|date=28 February 2019|access-date=28 February 2019|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328174958/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-bribe-fraud-charges-n977571|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="toi21nov">{{cite news |last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |date=21 November 2019 |title=AG announces Netanyahu to stand trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-announces-netanyahu-to-stand-trial-for-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028182456/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-announces-netanyahu-to-stand-trial-for-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust/ |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=22 November 2019 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> Netanyahu was formally indicted on 21 November 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-charged-bribery-fraud-corruption-israel-election-1.8137771|title=Netanyahu Charged With Bribery, Fraud and Breach of Trust, Capping a Dramatic Political Year|last=Bandel|first=Netael|date=21 November 2019|work=[[Haaretz]]|access-date=22 November 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191122005301/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-charged-bribery-fraud-corruption-israel-election-1.8137771|archive-date=22 November 2019|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/21/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-for-bribery-and|title=Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu indicted for bribery and fraud|last=Holmes|first=Oliver|work=The Guardian|date=21 November 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=18 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518001350/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/21/israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-indicted-for-bribery-and|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|page=A1 |work=The Wall Street Journal |title=Israel's Netanyahu Is Indicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges | author1=Felicia Schwartz |author2=Dov Lieber |date=22 November 2019 |volume=CCLXXIV |number=123}}</ref> If Netanyahu is convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for bribery and a maximum of three years for fraud and breach of trust.<ref>{{Cite web|first=David M.|last=Halbfinger|title=Israel's Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Fraud, Bribery and Breach of Trust|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/world/middleeast/netanyahu-corruption-indicted.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121164012/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/world/middleeast/netanyahu-corruption-indicted.html |archive-date=21 November 2019 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|newspaper=The New York Times|date=21 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.trust.org/item/20191121161354-9wsxc/|title=Israel's attorney general indicts PM Netanyahu on corruption charges|last1=Heller|first1=Jeffrey|last2=Williams|first2=Dan|date=21 November 2019|agency=[[Reuters]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191122013305/https://news.trust.org/item/20191121161354-9wsxc/|archive-date=22 November 2019|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref> He is the first sitting prime minister in Israel's history to be charged with a crime.<ref name="toi21nov" /><ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23">{{Cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=23 November 2019 |title=Netanyahu said set to give up 4 ministry portfolios after charges announced |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-set-to-give-up-4-ministry-portfolios-after-charges-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028182549/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-set-to-give-up-4-ministry-portfolios-after-charges-announced/ |archive-date=28 October 2023 |access-date=23 November 2019 |work=The Times of Israel}}</ref> On 23 November 2019, it was announced that Netanyahu, in compliance with legal precedent set by the Israeli Supreme Court in 1993,<ref name="haaretznov23">{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-netanyahu-to-relinquish-ministerial-portfolios-in-coming-days-1.8166032|title=Netanyahu to Relinquish Ministerial Portfolios in Coming Days|first=Chaim|last=Levinson|publisher=Haaretz|date=23 November 2019|access-date=23 November 2019|archive-date=26 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191126001204/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-netanyahu-to-relinquish-ministerial-portfolios-in-coming-days-1.8166032|url-status=live}}</ref> would relinquish his agriculture, health, social affairs and diaspora affairs portfolios.<ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23" /> The matter of forcing a prime minister to resign due to an indictment has yet to be tested in court.<ref name="haaretznov23" /><ref name="toinov23" /> He was officially charged on 28 January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/netanyahu-withdraws-immunity-from-prosecution-request|title=Netanyahu indicted in court after removing immunity request|date=28 January 2020|work=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128100001/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/28/netanyahu-withdraws-immunity-from-prosecution-request|url-status=live}}</ref>

Netanyahu's criminal trial was set to begin on 24 May 2020, having been initially scheduled for March of that year but delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Was-the-delay-of-Netanyahus-trial-cynical-or-legal-analysis-621051|title=Was the delay of Netanyahu's trial cynical or legal? – analysis|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=15 March 2020|archive-date=15 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200315153019/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Was-the-delay-of-Netanyahus-trial-cynical-or-legal-analysis-621051|url-status=live}}</ref> As of April 2023, [[Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu|the criminal trial]] was still ongoing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 2023 |title=What is the latest on Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial? |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/what-is-the-latest-on-benjamin-netanyahus-corruption-trial/articleshow/99808082.cms?from=mdr |access-date=1 May 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=1 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501075332/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/what-is-the-latest-on-benjamin-netanyahus-corruption-trial/articleshow/99808082.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>