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 an Israeli politician and diplomat, currently serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2022. He also held the position from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2021. Notably, Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history.

Sections (6)

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

1992: Likud Party Defeat

Following the defeat of the Likud party in the 1992 Israeli legislative elections, Shamir retired from politics.

March 1996: Suicide Bombings Before Election

In March 1996, a wave of suicide bombings occurred shortly before the Israeli election, resulting in the deaths of 32 Israelis. These attacks significantly impacted Shimon Peres's campaign.

1996: Opening of the Western Wall Tunnel Exit

In 1996, Netanyahu, in conjunction with Jerusalem's mayor Ehud Olmert, decided to open an exit in the Arab Quarter for the Western Wall Tunnel. This decision, which Peres had previously put on hold, sparked three days of rioting by Palestinians, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Israelis and Palestinians.

1996: Netanyahu's Victory in the 1996 Israeli General Election

In 1996, the bombing campaign led by Deif and the failure of Israeli intelligence to prevent it were factors that contributed to the defeat of Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party in the 1996 Israeli general election. This resulted in the victory of Netanyahu's Likud party, which opposed the Oslo Accords. After Netanyahu's victory, the attacks stopped for almost a year.

1997: Mossad Operation to Assassinate Hamas Mashal

In 1997, Netanyahu authorized a Mossad operation to assassinate Hamas leader Khaled Meshal in Jordan. On 27 September 1997, the Mossad team injected poison into Mashal's ears in Amman, but the plot was exposed and agents were arrested. King Hussein demanded the antidote, and Netanyahu relented after pressure from US President Bill Clinton, releasing Jordanian and Palestinian prisoners. The incident damaged Israeli-Jordanian relations.

1997: Police Recommendation for Indictment on Corruption Charges

In 1997, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted on corruption charges for influence-peddling. He was accused of appointing an attorney general who would reduce the charges, but prosecutors ruled there was insufficient evidence to go to trial.

May 1998: Exchange of Remains After Ansariya Ambush

On 25 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 Election and Entry to Private Sector

In 1999, Netanyahu was defeated in the election and transitioned into the private sector after his term as Prime Minister.

1999: Police Recommendation for Trial on Corruption

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

September 2002: Canceled Speech at Concordia University

On 9 September 2002, a scheduled speech by Netanyahu at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada was canceled after hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters overwhelmed security and smashed through a window. Netanyahu was not present at the protest, having remained at his hotel throughout the duration. He later accused the activists of supporting terrorism and "mad zealotry".

2004: Threat to Resign Over Gaza Pullout Plan

In 2004, Netanyahu threatened to resign from office unless the Gaza pullout plan was put to a referendum.

September 2005: Attempt to Hold Early Primaries

In September 2005, Netanyahu attempted to hold early primaries for the position of the head of the Likud party, while the party held the office of prime minister – thus effectively pushing Ariel Sharon out of office. The party rejected this initiative.

March 2006: Likud Takes Third Place in Knesset Elections

In the March 2006 Knesset elections, Likud took third place behind Kadima and Labor, and Netanyahu served as Leader of the Opposition.

February 2009: Netanyahu Describes Iran as Greatest Threat

In February 2009, after being asked to be prime minister, Netanyahu characterized Iran as the greatest threat Israel had ever faced, stating Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons posed the gravest threat since the war of independence.

September 2009: Netanyahu Addresses UN, Criticizes Iran

In September 2009, speaking before the UN in New York, Netanyahu voiced a different opinion to Iranian president Ahmadinejad's speech, stating that Iran's regime is fueled by extreme fundamentalism and their actions are a struggle between civilization and barbarism.

2009: Increase in African Migrants Crossing into Israel

Between 2009 and 2013, approximately 60,000 individuals migrated to Israel from various African nations. Netanyahu voiced concerns that the high number of migrants threatened the social cohesion, national security, and national identity of the country.

2009: Support for Palestinian State Questioned

In 2009, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state – a solution not endorsed by Netanyahu, with whom she had pledged US cooperation. Netanyahu said negotiations with the Palestinians would be conditioned on them recognizing Israel as a Jewish state.

March 2010: Approval of Construction in Jerusalem

In March 2010, the Israeli government approved construction of additional apartments in a Jewish housing development in northeast Jerusalem called Ramat Shlomo, which led to public condemnation from the US.

September 2010: Agreement to Direct Talks and End of Settlement Freeze

In September 2010, Netanyahu agreed to enter direct talks with the Palestinians, mediated by the Obama administration. On 27 September, the 10-month settlement freeze ended, and the Israeli government approved new construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

2011: Netanyahu Arranges Prisoner Swap for Gilad Shalit

In 2011, Netanyahu arranged the exchange of 1000 Hamas and Fatah prisoners, including terrorists, for Gilad Shalit. Israeli officials estimated that a significant portion of those released resumed terrorist activities.

2011: Ungrateful to the US and endangering Israel

In 2011, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Netanyahu was ungrateful to the US and endangering Israel.

2011: Netanyahu's Proposed Budget Cuts and Security Cooperation with the U.S.

In 2011, amidst concerns that Netanyahu's proposed budget cuts would hinder the armed forces' battle readiness, Netanyahu opted to cut social programs instead and pledged to increase the defense budget. Despite this, the military still faced a significant budget shortfall. A U.S. State Department representative noted unprecedented security cooperation between Israel and the United States under Netanyahu and Obama.

2011: Response to Social Justice Protests

In 2011, in response to Israeli social justice protests over the high cost of living, Netanyahu appointed the Trajtenberg Committee to submit recommendations to lower living costs.

September 2012: Netanyahu's UN Speech on Iranian Uranium Enrichment

In September 2012, Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly and set a "red line" at 90% uranium enrichment by Iran, which he illustrated with a cartoon graphic of a bomb. He said that at current enrichment rates, Iran would be able to produce enough enriched uranium for a bomb by the following spring or summer.

November 2012: Ended the November 2012 ceasefire agreement

In June 2014, Missile and rocket exchanges between Gaza militants and the IDF escalated after the bodies of the teenagers were discovered on 30 June 2014. Israel started Operation Protective Edge in the Gaza Strip, formally ending the November 2012 ceasefire agreement.

2012: Netanyahu Warns of Iranian Nuclear Threat

Early in 2012, during Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, Netanyahu cautioned against the dangers of an Iranian nuclear bomb, drawing parallels to Jewish leaders' warnings during World War II. He also confirmed the 2012 Burgas bus bombing was coordinated with Iran. This led to accusations of political exploitation of the Holocaust.

2012: Netanyahu and Barak Consider Military Action Against Iran

In 2012, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak reportedly formed a close, confidential relationship as they considered potential military action against Iran's nuclear facilities, following Israel's Begin Doctrine. Former officials criticized their rhetoric as appealing to "the idiots within the Israeli public".

2012: Netanyahu Government Passes "Prevention of Infiltration Law"

In 2012, the Netanyahu government enacted the "Prevention of Infiltration Law", mandating automatic detention for individuals, including asylum-seekers, entering Israel without permission. This law was met with criticism from Amnesty International.

August 2013: Ros-Lehtinen Raises Wultz Case with Israeli Officials

In August 2013, Ros-Lehtinen, as chair of the House Middle East and South Asia subcommittee, raised the issue of the Wultz family's lawsuit with Israeli officials, emphasizing the importance of providing the family with necessary support for their case.

October 2013: Netanyahu Comments on Iranian Regime and Nuclear Weapons

In October 2013, Netanyahu praised Persia's history and stated that if the Iranian regime possessed nuclear weapons, the Iranian people would never be free from dictatorship.

2013: Netanyahu Caught Between Commitments in Terror-Financing Case

In 2013, Netanyahu faced a conflict between a commitment to the family of terror victim Daniel Wultz to cooperate in a terror-financing case against Bank of China in the U.S. District Court and a conflicting promise reportedly made to China. This created diplomatic pressure and legal challenges.

2013: Netanyahu Requests Legislation to Circumvent Supreme Court Ruling on "Prevention of Infiltration Law"

In 2013, following the Supreme Court of Israel's declaration that the "Prevention of Infiltration Law" was illegal due to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers from Africa, Netanyahu sought legislation to bypass the Supreme Court's decision.

June 2014: Criticism of Palestinian Unity Government and Search Operation

In June 2014, Netanyahu criticized the Palestinian Authority for forming a unity government with Hamas and launched a search and arrest operation on the West Bank after the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers, blaming Hamas for the act.

October 2014: Privatization Plan and Criticism of Settlements

In October 2014, Netanyahu's government approved a privatization plan to reduce corruption and politicization in government companies and criticized settlements, leading to a rebuke from the White House. Netanyahu explained that he does not accept residency restrictions for Jews, and said that Jerusalem's Arabs and Jews should be able to buy homes wherever they want.

December 2014: Firing of Ministers and Dissolution of Government

On 2 December 2014, Netanyahu fired ministers Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni, leading to the dissolution of the government.

2015: Mossad Assessment on Iran's Nuclear Program Leaked

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

March 2016: Coalition crisis over prayer space at the Western Wall

In March 2016, Netanyahu's coalition faced a potential crisis as ultra-Orthodox members threatened to withdraw over the government's proposed steps to create non-Orthodox prayer space at the Western Wall. They stated they would leave the coalition if the government offers any further official state recognition of Conservative and Reform Judaism.

January 2017: Israeli police investigate Netanyahu in "Case 1000" and "Case 2000"

Since January 2017, Netanyahu has been investigated by Israeli police in two connected cases, "Case 1000" and "Case 2000". In Case 1000, Netanyahu is suspected of having obtained inappropriate favors from businessmen, including James Packer and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Case 2000 involves alleged attempts to strike a deal with the publisher of the Yedioth Ahronot newspaper group, Arnon Mozes, to promote legislation to weaken Yedioth's main competitor in exchange for more favorable political coverage.

August 2017: Netanyahu suspected of fraud, breach of trust, and bribes

In August 2017, Israeli police confirmed that Netanyahu was suspected of crimes involving fraud, breach of trust, and bribes in the two cases, "Case 1000" and "Case 2000". The next day, it was reported that the prime minister's former chief of staff, Ari Harow, had signed a deal with prosecutors to testify against Netanyahu.

February 2018: Police recommend Netanyahu be charged with corruption

In February 2018, Israeli police recommended that Netanyahu be charged with corruption. According to a police statement, sufficient evidence exists to indict the prime minister on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in the two cases. Netanyahu responded that the allegations were baseless and that he would continue as prime minister.

November 2018: Recommendation for Netanyahu indictment

In November 2018, Economic Crimes Division Director Liat Ben-Ari recommended indictment for Netanyahu for "Case 1000" and "Case 2000" corruption cases.

2018: Netanyahu investigated in "Case 4000"

In 2018 Netanyahu was also investigated in "Case 4000", where he was suspected of giving regulatory favors to Shaul Elovitch, owner of Bezeq telecommunication company, in exchange for positive publications in news website Walla!.

February 2019: Attorney general announces intent to indict Netanyahu

In February 2019, the Israeli attorney general announced his intent to file indictments against Netanyahu on bribe and fraud charges in three cases.

November 2019: Netanyahu formally indicted and relinquishes portfolios

On 21 November 2019, Netanyahu was formally indicted on bribe and fraud charges, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison for bribery and three years for fraud and breach of trust. On 23 November 2019, it was announced that Netanyahu, in compliance with legal precedent, would relinquish his agriculture, health, social affairs and diaspora affairs portfolios.

2019: Indictment on Charges

In 2019, Netanyahu was indicted on charges including breach of trust, bribery, and fraud, which led to him relinquishing ministerial posts except for prime minister.

January 2020: Trump Frustrated with Netanyahu's Rhetoric

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

January 2020: Netanyahu formally charged

On 28 January 2020, Netanyahu was officially charged with crimes.

May 2020: Netanyahu's criminal trial set to begin

Netanyahu's criminal trial was set to begin on 24 May 2020, having been initially scheduled for March of that year but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020: Netanyahu sworn in for fifth term; protests erupt

On 17 May 2020, Netanyahu was sworn in for a fifth term as prime minister in a coalition with Benny Gantz. Against a background of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel and Netanyahu's criminal trial, protests broke out against him in front of the prime minister's residence.

2020: Collapse of Rotation Agreement

In 2020, the rotation agreement between Netanyahu and Benny Gantz collapsed, contributing to political instability.

May 2021: Escalation in Jerusalem leads to Operation Guardian of the Walls

After tensions escalated in Jerusalem in May 2021, Hamas fired rockets on Israel from Gaza, which prompted Netanyahu to initiate Operation Guardian of the Walls, lasting eleven days.

June 2021: Removal from Premiership

In June 2021, Netanyahu was removed from the premiership after a period of political turmoil.

June 2021: Netanyahu ousted as prime minister

On 13 June 2021, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid formed a coalition government, ousting Netanyahu from his position as prime minister, ending his 12-year tenure.

April 2023: Netanyahu's criminal trial ongoing

As of April 2023, Netanyahu's criminal trial was still ongoing.

October 2023: Israel enters war against Hamas after surprise attack

On 7 October 2023, after Palestinian militants from Gaza launched a major surprise attack, Netanyahu announced that Israel would enter a war against Hamas. He threatened to "turn all the places where Hamas is organized and hiding into cities of ruins", called Gaza "the city of evil", and urged its residents to "leave now". He proposed opposition parties Yesh Atid and National Unity enter an emergency unity government, after Leader of the Opposition Lapid urged Netanyahu put "aside our differences and form an emergency, narrow, professional government."

December 2023: Netanyahu faces criticism during meeting with released hostages

In December 2023, Netanyahu faced criticism during a meeting with released Israeli hostages. One hostage accused him of putting politics "above the return of the kidnapped." Netanyahu said Israel should support the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza.

December 2023: South Africa v. Israel Case at ICJ

In December 2023, Netanyahu's government faced a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) initiated by South Africa regarding allegations of orchestrating genocide in Gaza.

2023: Judicial Reform Protests

In early 2023, Netanyahu's coalition pursued judicial reform, which sparked large-scale protests across the country.

November 2024: ICC Arrest Warrant

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the ICC investigation in Palestine.

2024: Strained Relationship with Biden over Rafah Offensive

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

June 2025: Netanyahu Authorizes Airstrikes Against Iran, Beginning Twelve-Day War

In June 2025, Netanyahu authorized airstrikes against Iran, initiating the Twelve-Day War. He described the operation's goal as dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities, which he considered a "clear and present danger" to Israel, while also advocating for regime change.

February 2026: Netanyahu summoned over classified document leak investigation

In February 2026, the Attorney General and Cabinet Legal Advisor of Israel summoned Netanyahu to provide explanations to the police regarding an investigation into the leak of classified documents to the German newspaper Bild. The case reportedly concerns attempts to obstruct investigations into the leak of sensitive Israeli documents. Previously, Netanyahu's chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to impede the investigative process regarding the leak to foreign media.