In the 1980s, with the Likud finally in power after 30 years in opposition, a new generation emerged knows as ‘the Princes’ – the sons (and occasionally daughters) of the founding generation of Revisionist Zionists, including those who fought in the Irgun and became members of the first Knesset with Herut, the Likud’s forerunner, under Menachem Begin. The Princes became some of the most prominent politicians in Israel over the past 40 years, including Ehud Olmert, Benny Begin, Dan Meridor, Rueven (Ruby) Rivlin, Tzipi Livni and… Benjamin Netanyahu.
Gil Samsonov has meticulously researched the phenomenon of the Princes, and the dramatic rise of Netanyahu, who arrived late on the scene to become the undisputed heir to the leadership of the Likud. With his book on the subject now out in English, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center is delighted to be hosting an interview in English with Dr. Samsonov, conducted by Shmuel Rosner.

Gil Samsonov is a managing partner in one of the top advertising firms in Israel. He graduated from Tel-Aviv University, and received his PhD from King’s College London. Samsonov has led numerous national and local election and general campaigns in Israel. He is a senior political and marketing commentator on Israeli television, radio and print. His book, ‘The Israeli Princes’ is available on Amazon.

Shmuel Rosner is the political editor at ‘The Jewish Journal’, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute and a contributing opinion writer to ‘The New York Times’.