Challenges Faced by Benjamin Netanyahu: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Benjamin Netanyahu faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is a prominent Israeli politician and diplomat. He currently serves as the Prime Minister of Israel, a position he assumed in 2022. Notably, he also held the same office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2021. His cumulative time in office makes him the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 1996: Hamas Terrorist Attacks

In January 1996, following the assassination of Hamas military leader Yahya Ayyash, Hamas organized a bombing campaign inside Israel, including the Dizengoff Center suicide bombing and Jaffa Road bus bombings.

March 1996: Suicide Bombings Before Elections

In March 1996, a wave of suicide bombings occurred shortly before the Israeli elections. On March 3 and 4, Palestinians carried out two suicide bombings, killing 32 Israelis.

1996: Opening of the Western Wall Tunnel exit

In 1996, Netanyahu and Jerusalem's mayor Ehud Olmert decided to open an exit in the Arab Quarter for the Western Wall Tunnel, a decision that prior prime minister Shimon Peres had put on hold for peace. The decision led to three days of rioting by Palestinians, resulting in dozens of deaths of both Israelis and Palestinians.

1996: Netanyahu's victory in the Israeli general election

In 1996, the bombing campaign by Deif and the failure of Israeli intelligence led to the defeat of Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party. This resulted in the victory of Netanyahu's Likud party, which opposed the Oslo Accords.

September 1997: Mossad operation to assassinate Khaled Mashal

In September 1997, Netanyahu authorized a Mossad operation to assassinate Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Jordan. The attempt failed, leading to a diplomatic crisis with Jordan, ultimately requiring Netanyahu to release prisoners after pressure from US President Bill Clinton.

1997: Police recommendation to indict Netanyahu on corruption charges

In 1997, police recommended that Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges for influence-peddling, but prosecutors ruled that there was insufficient evidence to go to trial.

May 1998: Exchange of remains and body parts of soldiers killed in Ansariya ambush

In May 1998, the remains and body parts of at least three soldiers who died in the Ansariya ambush were exchanged for 65 Lebanese prisoners and the bodies of 40 Hizbullah fighters and Lebanese soldiers captured by Israel. Netanyahu described it as "one of the worst tragedies that has ever occurred to us".

1999: Defeat in the Israeli prime ministerial election and temporary retirement from politics

After being defeated by Ehud Barak in the 1999 Israeli prime ministerial election, Netanyahu temporarily retired from politics.

1999: Police recommendation to try Netanyahu for corruption

In 1999, the Israel Police recommended that Netanyahu be tried for corruption for $100,000 in free services from a government contractor; Israel's attorney general did not prosecute, citing difficulties with evidence.

February 2009: Netanyahu describes Iran as greatest threat to Israel

In February 2009, after being asked to be the prime minister of Israel, Netanyahu described Iran as the greatest threat that Israel has ever faced.

September 2009: Netanyahu addresses UN General Assembly on Iran

On September 24, 2009, Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, expressing his opinion that those who believe Tehran is a threat only to Israel are wrong and that Iran is motivated by fanaticism.

September 2011: Trajtenberg Committee Recommendations

In September 2011, the Trajtenberg Committee submitted recommendations to lower the high cost of living in Israel. Although Netanyahu promised to push the proposed reforms through the cabinet in one piece, differences inside his coalition resulted in the reforms being gradually adopted.

September 2012: Netanyahu sets "red line" for Iran's uranium enrichment at UN

On September 28, 2012, Netanyahu gave a speech to the UN General Assembly in which he set forward a "red line" of 90% uranium enrichment, stating that if Iran were to reach this level, it would become an intolerable risk for Israel. Netanyahu used a cartoon graphic of a bomb to illustrate his point.

2012: Netanyahu and Barak consider military action against Iran

In 2012, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak were reported to have formed a close, confidential relationship as they considered possible Israeli military action against Iran's nuclear facilities.

2012: Prevention of Infiltration Law

In 2012, the Netanyahu government enacted the "Prevention of Infiltration Law," mandating the automatic detention of individuals entering Israel without authorization, including asylum seekers. Amnesty International criticized the law, and Netanyahu defended it by citing threats to social cohesion, national security, and national identity.

October 2013: Netanyahu comments on Iranian regime and nuclear weapons

In an October 2013 interview with BBC Persian Service, Netanyahu praised the history of Persia and said that if the Iranian regime has nuclear weapons, the Iranian people will never be free of dictatorship and will live in eternal servitude.

October 2014: Tensions with Obama Administration

In October 2014, tensions between Netanyahu and the Obama administration reached a crisis level. A senior Obama administration official called Netanyahu a "chickenshit" after Netanyahu accused Obama of "acting contrary to American values". Secretary of State John Kerry clarified that such statements were disgraceful and damaging, and Netanyahu defended his determination to protect Israel's interests.

2014: Criticism from Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat

In 2014, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat criticized Netanyahu, calling him "ideologically corrupt" and a war criminal.

2015: Leaked cables reveal Mossad's assessment on Iran's nuclear program

In 2015, cables leaked that Mossad's assessment at the time of Netanyahu's 2012 UN speech was that Iran did not appear ready to enrich uranium to levels required for a nuclear bomb.

December 2016: UN Resolution on Israeli settlements

On 23 December 2016, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an end to Israeli settlements. In a departure from longstanding American policy, the U.S., under the Obama administration, abstained from the vote. The Netanyahu government alleged that the Obama administration colluded with the UN behind the scenes.

2016: Relationship with Obama administration in 2016

Due to the evident rifts between Netanyahu and members of the Obama administration, Israel decided to wait until after the 2016 presidential election before attempting to repair the relationship with the White House.

May 2017: Allegation of showing Trump a fake video

In May 2017, Rex Tillerson stated that Netanyahu showed Trump a fake and altered video of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling for the killing of children, reportedly to influence Trump's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

2018: Crisis in Israel-Poland relations

In early 2018, the Polish parliament adopted a law criminalizing suggestions of Polish collective complicity in Holocaust-related war crimes. At the Munich Security Conference in 2018, the Polish prime minister implicated Jewish perpetrators in the Holocaust, which Netanyahu condemned as "outrageous". The resulting crisis in Israel–Poland relations was resolved in late June through a joint communiqué endorsing Holocaust research and condemning the term "Polish concentration camps".

January 2020: Trump's frustration with Netanyahu

In January 2020, Trump became frustrated with Netanyahu's rhetoric regarding annexation of the Jordan Valley and considered endorsing his political opponent.

June 2023: Israel refuses to send lethal weapons to Ukraine

In June 2023, Netanyahu explained Israel's refusal to send lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing concerns that these systems could fall into Iranian hands and be reverse engineered, potentially leading to Israeli systems being used against Israel.

October 2023: Criticism and calls for resignation following intelligence failure

In October 2023, Netanyahu faced criticism for presiding over what was considered Israel's biggest intelligence failure in 50 years, leading to protests and calls for his removal. A poll showed that 56% of Israelis believed Netanyahu should resign after the war. On 29 October, Netanyahu blamed Israel's security chiefs for Hamas's attack in a post on X (formerly Twitter), which was later deleted.

October 2023: Israel enters state of war against Hamas after major attack

On 7 October 2023, following a major surprise attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza, Netanyahu announced that Israel would enter a state of war against Hamas. He threatened severe retaliation, referred to Gaza as "the city of evil", and urged its residents to evacuate. He also proposed an emergency unity government.

December 2023: Criticism from released hostages and comments on Palestinian migration

In December 2023, Netanyahu faced criticism during a meeting with released Israeli hostages, with one accusing him of prioritizing politics over the return of the kidnapped. Also in December 2023, he suggested Israel should support the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza.

May 2024: ICC Prosecutor's intention to seek arrest warrant

In May 2024, Karim Khan, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, announced his intention to apply for an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on several counts of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

October 2024: Drone attack on Netanyahu's residence

In October 2024, a drone attack believed to have originated from Lebanon targeted Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea. Netanyahu was not present at the time, and there were no casualties. He accused Hezbollah of attempting to assassinate him in the attack.

November 2024: Firing of defense minister and ICC arrest warrants

In November 2024, Netanyahu fired defense minister Gallant, triggering protests throughout Israel. Later in November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes during the Gaza war, which Netanyahu described as "absurd and false lies" and "antisemitic".

2024: Strained relationship with Biden over Rafah offensive

During Spring 2024, the relationship between Netanyahu and U.S. president Joe Biden became strained over Israel's Rafah offensive.

March 2025: Attack on Gaza and Postponement of Corruption Trial

In March 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip. As a result of the attacks, Netanyahu's corruption trial, scheduled for 18 March, was postponed. Additionally, in March 2025, Netanyahu fired Ronen Bar, chief of Shin Bet.

June 2025: Netanyahu authorizes airstrikes against Iran.

On 13 June 2025, Netanyahu authorized airstrikes against Iran, marking the beginning of the Iran–Israel war. Netanyahu stated the goal of the operation was to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities, which he described as a "clear and present danger to Israel's very survival.".

November 2025: International arrest warrants issued by Turkey

On 7 November 2025, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Turkey issued international arrest warrants for Netanyahu and 36 other Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza, based on Israel's attacks on Palestinian civilians, hospitals, infrastructure and the Global Sumud Flotilla.