Netanyahu, 59, is a former Israeli soldier who served in the elite commando unit Sayeret Matkal.

CNN: Netanyahu: Iran top threat in Israeli history

In the early 1970s Mr Barak, who eventually rose to be the army's chief of staff, was the commander and Mr Netanyahu one of his officers in the Sayeret Matkal, a semi-secret, elite commando unit.

ECONOMIST: Long accouchement, broad baby