JERUSALEM (AP) — Benjamin Netanyahu will become Israel's longest-serving prime minister this week, solidifying his place as the country's greatest political survivor and the most dominant force in Israeli politics in his generation.

He has persevered through scandals, crises and conflicts, winning election after election even as Israel grew more bitterly polarized. His supporters credit him with keeping Israel safe and prosperous and maintaining its Jewish character.

His opponents, with equally visceral emotion, claim he has dashed hopes for peace with the Palestinians, torn society apart with vicious attacks on minority Arabs and left-wing opponents, and infused politics with a culture of corruption.

But as his 13-year rule is set to surpass that of Israel's founding father David Ben-Gurion on July 20, all agree that Netanyahu has left a permanent imprint on Israel.