Avner Netanyahu
{{Short description|Son of Israeli prime minister}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name =
| native_name = {{Nobold|{{Script|Hebrew|אבנר נתניהו}}}}
| image = Avner Netanyahu 2019 (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Netanyahu in 2019
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|10|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Jerusalem, Israel
| party =
| other_names =
| occupation = Student master's degree in archaeology at Oxford University
| years_active =
| known_for = Son of Benjamin Netanyahu
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
}}
| notable_works =
| father = Benjamin Netanyahu
| mother = Sara Ben-Artzi
| relatives = Nathan Mileikowsky (great-grandfather)
Benzion Netanyahu (paternal grandfather)
Shmuel Ben-Artzi (maternal grandfather)
Elisha Netanyahu (grand-uncle)
Yonatan Netanyahu (uncle)
Iddo Netanyahu (uncle)
Nathan Netanyahu (first cousin once removed)
}}
Avner Netanyahu ({{langx|he|אבנר נתניהו }}; born October 10, 1994) is the younger son of Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
Biography
Avner is a brother to Yair, and a half-brother to Noa Roth (who was born to his father from his previous marriage to Miki Haran).{{cite news|date=1 October 2009|title=Mazel Tov Mr. Prime Minister! Netanyahu's first grandson born|newspaper=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/1.5427345|access-date=23 May 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Kalman|first=Matthew|date=10 April 2013|title=Netanyahu's women and the making of Psychobibi|url=http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/netanyahus-women/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=The Times of Israel Blogs|language=en-US}} During most of his father's first term of office (1996–1999), he lived with his brother Yair with his mother's parents, Chava and Shmuel Ben-Artzi.
Netanyahu initially attended an elementary school in French Hill, Jerusalem. After primary school, he continued his education at the Hebrew University Secondary School, majoring in theater.{{Cite web |last=תחיה ברק ושמעון איפרגן |date=January 28, 2018 |title=שם בדוי ופיצה עם המאבטחים: הנתניהו שלא רוצה שתדברו עליו |url=https://www.themarker.com/mako/2018-01-28/ty-article/0000017f-e0d5-d804-ad7f-f1ff40920000 |website=The Marker|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240327054949/https://www.themarker.com/mako/2018-01-28/ty-article/0000017f-e0d5-d804-ad7f-f1ff40920000|archive-date=March 27, 2024|url-status=live}} Netanyahu was active in the Boy Scouts movement during his youth. In 2010, Netanyahu won the national Bible champion, winner of the National Bible Quiz for Youth in Kiryat Shmona. and came in third place on the International Bible Contest.{{Cite web |last=נחשוני |first=קובי |date=April 20, 2010 |title=חידון התנ"ך: אבנר נתניהו זכה במקום השלישי |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3878376,00.html |website=ynet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208110757/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3878376,00.html|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Gordon |first=Evelyn |url=https://m.jpost.com/israel/netanyahu-jr-wins-national-bible-quiz|title=Netanyahu Jr. wins National Bible Quiz |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=17 March 2010 |access-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208114022/https://www.jpost.com/israel/netanyahu-jr-wins-national-bible-quiz|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}}
Netanyahu is a former soldier in the IDF Combat Intelligence Collection Corps. He was enlisted in December 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/not-just-news/shine-your-shoes-netanyahus-youngest-son-begins-army-service-383308|title=Shine your shoes! Netanyahu's youngest son begins army service|work=The Jerusalem Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208112741/https://www.jpost.com/not-just-news/shine-your-shoes-netanyahus-youngest-son-begins-army-service-383308|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}} Before his enlistment, there was rumours that he would serve in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, but Netanyahu wanted more significant service. He was initially accepted into the Unit 8200, but signed a waiver to serve in a combat unit. Netanyahu finished his military service in 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/10/13/netanyahus-son-joined-israel-defense-forces-in-2014-fact-check/71158828007/|title=Photo of Netanyahu with son was taken in 2014, not amid ongoing Israel-Hamas war: Fact check|first=BrieAnna J.|last=Frank|work=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208113330/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/10/13/netanyahus-son-joined-israel-defense-forces-in-2014-fact-check/71158828007/|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}}
Netanyahu went on to study archeology and history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2019. He later obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/israel-news/2011608/mazel-tov-avner-netanyahu-is-engaged.html|title=Mazel Tov! Avner Netanyahu Is Engaged|date=October 3, 2021|work=The Yeshiva World|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208114500/https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/israel-news/2011608/mazel-tov-avner-netanyahu-is-engaged.html|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}} In May 2022, The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu was admitted into University of Oxford to study for a master's degree in archaeology.{{Cite web |last=Cashman |first=Greer Fay |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Grapevine May 11, 2022: Saving a potential genius |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-706363 |website=The Jerusalem Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208114943/https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-706363|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}}
In 2019, he competed in the fourth season of the TV show "The Chase" of the "Kan" channel.{{Cite web |last=ynet on YouTube |date=October 23, 2019 |title=אבנר נתניהו ב"המרדף" - 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJLJVlWJOp0 |website=ynet on YouTube}}
In July 2019, Avner Netanyahu was harassed by social activist Barak Cohen. Cohen documented himself shouting insults at Avner Netanyahu, while the latter patronized a restaurant. In response, Avner Netanyahu filed a complaint with the police against Cohen, which was investigated by the police. In August 2019, the court issued a restraining order against Cohen from Avner Netanyahu in accordance with the Prevention of Threatening Harassment Law, until February 2020.{{cite tweet|number=1155483044108808197|user=gilmishali|title=סערת הסרטון של ברק כהן: אבנר נתניהו הגיש תלונה במשטרה. "הגשתי היום תלונה במשטרה על הטרדה נגד ברק כהן. פעם אחר פעם ש…|date=28 July 2019}}{{cite web | url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-law/2019_Q3/Article-0d13b2b9ca84c61026.htm?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fhe.wikipedia.org%2F | title=N12 - אחרי שאבנר נתניהו התלונן במשטרה: ברק כהן עוכב לחקירה }}
In August 2019 Avner Netanyahu visited the State of Nauru, in the same month Nauru recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.{{Cite web |last=JTA and TOI STAFF |date=August 29, 2019 |title=Nauru, world’s ‘least-visited country,’ recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/republic-of-nauru-recognizes-jerusalem-as-capital-of-israel/ |website=The Times of Israel}}
In January 2022, it was discovered by the Calcalist newspaper that the Israel Police used Pegasus spyware to remotely hack, without a search warrant, the phones of Israeli citizens who are not criminals or suspects. Among the people whose phones were hacked was Avner Netanyahu.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministry-heads-netanyahu-associates-activists-said-targeted-by-police-with-spyware/ "Ministry heads, Netanyahu associates, activists said targeted by police with spyware."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207091654/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ministry-heads-netanyahu-associates-activists-said-targeted-by-police-with-spyware/ |date=February 7, 2022 }} The Times of Israel, February 7, 2022.
Netanyahu is in a relationship with television personality Amit Yardeni since May 2022.{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2022|title=אבנר נתניהו בזוגיות חדשה |trans-title=Avner Netanyahu in a new relationship|url=https://pplus.ynet.co.il/rechilut/article/6119392|website=Ynet Plus|first=Bar|last=Zaga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208115918/https://pplus.ynet.co.il/rechilut/article/6119392|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}} Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the couple's wedding was initially scheduled to take place on November 26, 2024 but the wedding was postponed after a drone attack from Lebanon hit his father's residence in Caesarea.{{Cite web |last=Zaga |first=Bar |title=Netanyahu's son postpones wedding amid security threats|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rkifqu811jx |website=Ynet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208120952/https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/rkifqu811jx|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}} He was previously in a relationship with model and political aide Noy Bar.{{Cite web |last=Zaga |first=Bar |title=Noy Bar: A model, parliamentary aid and Netanyahu son's ex-partner|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/skmshhe4q |website=Ynet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208121657/https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/skmshhe4q|archive-date=December 8, 2024|url-status=live}}
Political views
Avner Netanyahu publicly supported his father's election as prime minister and complained about the campaign against Benjamin Netanyahu that called on him to resign, the "Leh" ׂׂ(Go) campaign. He went against those protesting against his father.{{Cite web |last=ליאל |first=דפנה |date=October 5, 2020 |title=אבנר נתניהו מגיב לקמפיין "לך": "לפחות תוסיפו את המילה לבחירות" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-israel/2020_q4/Article-08a1dfbe597f471026.htm |website=N12}}
Avner Netanyahu admires his father Benjamin Netanyahu, he thinks he is an historical figure, a one-time leader. He said this in July 2019 in a video posted by Benjamin Netanyahu on his YouTube channel.{{Cite web |last=Netanyahu |first=Benjamin Netanyahu |date=July 22, 2019 |title=אבנר נתניהו מברך את אביו |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLiGaCFSoz |website=Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו YouTube channel}}
Personal security
Avner Netanyahu is secured by the Shin Bet. This security is also intended for the seven individuals who are considered symbols of the government of the state of Israel, and it is considered a higher level of security than the security provided by the "Magen unit" in the Prime Minister's Office. Security also continued on his private trip to Australia. The security of Avner and Yair, which costs NIS 300,000 per month,{{Cite web |last=דבורי |first=ניר |date=December 9, 2021 |title=עלות אבטחת בניו של נתניהו נחשפת: ביום ראשון יוחלט אם להאריכה |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-politics/2021_q4/Article-55a35ea3d50ad71027.htm |website=N12}} was removed in 2021, half a year after the end of Netanyahu's term as Prime Minister, according to the opinion of the Shin Bet, the Mossad, the police and the National Security Council of Israel. Netanyahu's associates were angry and said it was a risk for members of the Netanyahu family to do so.{{Cite web |last=ברוך |first=חזקי |date=December 12, 2021 |title=הוסרה האבטחה מבני משפחת נתניהו. בסביבת נתניהו זועמים: "התירו את דמם של שרה, אבנר ויאיר" |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/534444 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=ערוץ 7}} When Avner left for academic studies in London, Benjamin Netanyahu, as the head of the opposition, asked the head of the Mossad to provide security arrangements for Avner during his studies abroad, but he was refused. The high level security was restored, after Benjamin Netanyahu returned to being prime minister.
On June 9, 2024, the Netanyahu family asked the Security Advisory Committee to secure Benjamin Netanyahu's family by the Shin Bet, for the rest of their lives as Benjamin Netanyahu is secured. The request included Sara, Yair and Avner. At the meeting it was decided not to discuss this while there is a war.{{cite web |last1=Walla |title=דיווח: יאיר נתניהו מטייל בגואטמלה עם מאבטחי שב"כ |url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/3672849 |website=Walla |publisher=Walla |access-date=25 June 2024}}
On July 17, 2024, at the request of the nonprofit organization Hatzlaha, it was revealed that the annual cost of the security of Avner Netanyahu in the years 2018–2020 was between 2.3 and 3.5 million shekels.{{cite web |last1=ליאור |first1=באקאלו |title=הנתונים חושפים: כמה באמת עולה לנו אבטחת משפחת ראש הממשלה? |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-money/2024_q3/Article-64df5d85db0c091026.htm |website=N12 |access-date=22 July 2024}}
References
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://www.facebook.com/avner.benartzi.9 Avner Netanyahu] on Facebook
- [https://www.instagram.com/avnernetanyahu/ Avner Netanyahu] on Instagram
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOOYCgi3ZBU Watch: Netanyahu's Son Avner Joins the IDF]. December 1, 2014. On YouTube
{{Benjamin Netanyahu}}
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