Netanyahu Becomes Israel's Oldest Prime Ministerial Candidate at 77
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Benjamin Netanyahu turned 77 on October 21, becoming the oldest candidate for Prime Minister in Israeli history, surpassing Yitzhak Shamir's record. Netanyahu also holds the record for the youngest Prime Minister at age 46. While he is the oldest candidate, Ariel Sharon remains the oldest person to have officially served. Netanyahu also holds the record for the longest cumulative time as Prime Minister.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Benjamin Netanyahu turned 77, becoming the oldest candidate for Prime Minister in Israeli history.
- Netanyahu previously set the record for the youngest Prime Minister at age 46 in 1996.
- Ariel Sharon remains the oldest person to have officially served as Prime Minister until age 78.
- Netanyahu also holds the record for the longest cumulative time as Prime Minister, exceeding 13 years.
- Other former Prime Ministers like Yitzhak Shamir, Yitzhak Rabin, and Golda Meir also served at advanced ages.
Benjamin Netanyahu turned 77 on Wednesday, October 21, making him the oldest candidate for Prime Minister in Israeli history. He surpasses the previous record held by Yitzhak Shamir, who led the Likud party in the 1992 elections at age 76. Netanyahu also holds the record for the youngest Prime Minister, having first taken office at 46 in 1996. He celebrated his birthday during a visit to Dimona, where he received a cake.
While Netanyahu is now the oldest candidate, Ariel Sharon remains the oldest person to have officially served as Prime Minister, holding the office until age 78 years and one month. Sharon became Prime Minister at 73 and was re-elected in 2003. His successor, Ehud Olmert, began his term at 60.
Several Israeli leaders have served in their seventies. David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister, was 61 when he declared the state's creation and led it until age 76. Golda Meir became Prime Minister at 70 and was 75 when re-elected in 1973. Yitzhak Rabin first took office at 52 and returned at 70. Yitzhak Shamir first became Prime Minister at 68 and later served again. Menachem Begin became Prime Minister at 63 in 1977.
More recent Prime Ministers include Ehud Barak, who took office at 57 in 1999, and Ariel Sharon, who succeeded him. Netanyahu returned to power in March 2009 at age 59 and served for over 12 consecutive years. His successors, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, became Prime Minister at 49 and 58, respectively.
Netanyahu will be older than other party leaders in the upcoming elections on Tuesday, October 27. For comparison, U.S. President Donald Trump turned 80 and was elected to a second term at 78. Netanyahu also holds the record for the longest cumulative time as Prime Minister, exceeding 13 years by July 2019 and reaching over 19 years by October 2026.
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