On September 27, 2012, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. The subject, as usual, was Iran's nuclear program. But then came a twist in Netanyahu's speech, a moment that would be engraved in the history of his addresses.
Netanyahu pulled out a graphic illustration of a primitive atomic bomb and drew a "red line" on it with a red marker, to demonstrate the stage at which Iran would complete uranium enrichment to military grade. The speech generated wide international resonance and massive media coverage.
Since then, the gimmicks have accompanied Netanyahu in all his UN speeches, including his most recent address. But Netanyahu, like a seasoned performer and rhetorician, uses his authoritative and dramatic voice to convey his messages in the most precise way to all listeners and viewers.
Netanyahu frequently uses catchy slogans in his speeches, such as "either Bibi or Tibi," which has now become "either right or Palestine," and he prepares for his speeches in an invested and thorough manner, including instructions on when to raise his hand and when to lower his tone.
But despite the grand performance, Netanyahu does not prepare his speeches alone, certainly not the major and important ones like at the UN General Assembly and at important press conferences. At Netanyahu's side and behind the scenes is Dr. Hagai Harif, who has worked with Netanyahu since 2013, almost continuously.
At the start of their working relationship, Harif received 150,000 shekels per year. After a break of about two years during which Netanyahu was in opposition, and with Netanyahu's return to power, Harif's salary rose to 180,000 shekels per year including VAT.
According to various reports, Netanyahu also employs an English-language speechwriter whose identity has not been disclosed. The UN and Congress speeches are written by Netanyahu himself in collaboration with close policy advisers (such as former minister Ron Dermer), with Netanyahu editing, rewriting and adding major sections himself.
