Netanyahu names veteran Mideast reporter and best-selling author as strategic adviser

In the current unity government alignment, the Likud is now over twice as large as any other party in the coalition, including the remainder of Blue and White.

In his election-night victory address, Netanyahu thanked Klein specifically for coming from the United States to help him win the election.

“Klein left a full-time, successful career as a reporter to help as Israel finds itself facing unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, amid the international debate on the issue of applying sovereignty and other pressing matters during the duration of the next 18 months,” said Likud spokesman Jonathan Urich.

Following two lackluster campaigns that failed to produce a clear electoral victory for Netanyahu, Klein was credited with dramatically increasing the number of Netanyahu’s campaign appearances across the country, in addition to doubling down on an aggressive social media communications strategy.

The result was a dramatic increase in voter turnout, bringing over 250,000 votes from individuals that had not voted in the preceding two elections. The Likud tally represented a massive vote of confidence for an embattled Netanyahu, who is currently standing trial in three separate corruption cases, that many believe represent an unprecedented legal attempt to remove Israel’s longest-serving and still-popular prime minister from office.

“Israel is lucky to have Netanyahu as prime minister, especially during these critical days,” Klein told JNS.

Klein ran the Middle East bureaus for World Net Daily as well as Breitbart, and wrote a weekly column for the Jewish Press in New York. In addition to being a bestselling author and investigative journalist, he has hosted the weekly Aaron Klein Investigative Radio Show across multiple AM radio stations, syndicated in New York and Philadelphia.

Klein had lived in Israel for nearly 15 years, initially arriving in 2005. He was embedded as a reporter in Gush Katif during the controversial evacuation of Gaza’s 10,000 Jewish residents.

“I didn’t leave until the last Jewish resident was evacuated,” said Klein.

Prior to assisting Netanyahu in his election campaign, Klein played a key role in the unlikely election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who first won a crowded Republican primary and then defeated Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

Klein, who hails from Philadelphia and attended religious schools growing up, has a strong affinity for the State of Israel, as well as for Netanyahu, who he first interviewed for the Yeshiva University Commentator in 1999 immediately following his first stint as prime minister.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be working with him,” said Klein.