The controversy sparked by his meeting with Kim Jong Un. In the wake of Trump’s historic handshake with the North Korean leader, Netanyahu took Israeli media and reporters to congratulate Kim in private. “We’re delighted,” Netanyahu said. The PM’s office said Netanyahu’s meetings with Kim and other world leaders were kept secret to avoid encouraging future efforts by North Korea to pursue its nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu went to Colombia. The Israeli PM paid a visit to Colombia earlier this year. During his visit, he raised the issue of deteriorating political tensions between the two countries. Israeli officials also are building ties with the Colombian economy. In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the expansion of cooperation between their countries, including four new agreements in trade, security, energy and defense.
Netanyahu said that making Mideast peace is impossible. In a speech last year, Netanyahu said he didn’t believe a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was possible. At the time, he said even a two-state solution would require difficult compromises by both sides.
Netanyahu used to be a rarity in public office. Netanyahu ran for the mayor of Tel Aviv in 1995. He was attacked for being drunk and was deemed unfit for the job. Not to worry: By the end of the campaign, he had erased opposition leader Shimon Peres’s lead and won in a runaway.
Netanyahu is a good golfer. Netanyahu has never won a PGA Tour event. He makes most of his money in political real estate — politics. He started playing golf during his college years, when he would sleep in the office of an acquaintance who would play an 18-hole round early the next morning. As his political career developed, the golf club at the Eshkol Country Club became his regular stop.
Netanyahu has his favorite bars. His favorite bar: Stanley in Petworth. According to his memoirs, the PM used to drink one pint of the famous Baltimore port. He loves the place because its bartender “could add a certain something that only a true Baltimore beer lover could talk about.” It also has a great view of the White House, which is true of all of the best bars in Israel.
Netanyahu always votes. It’s one of his secrets. The PM, who claims not to have an opinion on even the most important issues, has always said that he votes because he has to.
Here’s what else we know about Netanyahu, courtesy of the Israel Policy Forum.
