Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Benjamin Netanyahu

Public opinion and media debates around Benjamin Netanyahu—discover key moments of controversy.

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

1978: Affair with Fleur Cates

In 1978, while Miriam Weizmann was pregnant, Benjamin Netanyahu began an affair with Fleur Cates, a non-Jewish British student he met at the university library.

1987: Passing secret US documents to Israel

In 1987, Jonathan Pollard passed secret US documents to Israel.

1993: Affair Confession on Live Television

In 1993, Benjamin Netanyahu confessed on live television to having an affair with Ruth Bar, his public relations advisor, after a political rival threatened to release a compromising video.

January 1996: Assassination of Yahya Ayyash and Hamas Retaliation

In January 1996, following the Shin Bet's assassination of Hamas military leader Yahya Ayyash, Mohammed Deif organized a bombing campaign inside Israel as retaliation.

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.

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: Testimony Regarding the Alleged Nuclear Threat Posed by the Iraqi Regime

On 12 September 2002, Netanyahu lobbied for the invasion of Iraq, testifying under oath as a private citizen before the U.S. House of Representatives Government Reform Committee regarding the alleged nuclear threat posed by the Iraqi régime: "There is no question whatsoever that Saddam is seeking and is working and is advancing towards the development of nuclear weapons…" He also testified, "If you take out Saddam, Saddam's regime, I guarantee you that it will have enormous positive reverberations on the region."

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".

2008: Opposition to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

In 2008, Netanyahu opposed the Israel–Hamas ceasefire, stating that it was an agreement to the rearming of Hamas.

September 2009: Address to the UN General Assembly

On 24 September 2009, in an address to the UN General Assembly, Netanyahu stated that Iran posed a threat to world peace and that the UN should prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. He also responded to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's questioning of the Holocaust.

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.

2011: Sarkozy and Obama's Private Comments About Netanyahu at G-20 Summit

During the 2011 G-20 Cannes summit, then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy was overheard saying to then-U.S. president Barack Obama, "I cannot bear Netanyahu, he's a liar", to which Obama reportedly responded, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day."

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.

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.

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: Obama Administration Official Calls Netanyahu "Chickenshit"

In October 2014, Jeffrey Goldberg reported that a senior official in the Obama administration called Netanyahu a "chickenshit" after Netanyahu accused Obama of "acting contrary to American values". Secretary of State John Kerry phoned Netanyahu to clarify that such statements were unacceptable. Tensions between the Netanyahu and Obama governments were high.

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.

March 2015: Address to the United States Congress

In March 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United States Congress, marking his third speech to a joint session. The day before announcing he would address Congress, Time reported that he tried to derail a meeting between U.S. lawmakers and the head of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, who intended warning them against imposing further sanctions against Iran.

October 2015: Netanyahu claims al-Husseini gave Hitler the idea of exterminating Jews

In October 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, gave Adolf Hitler the idea to exterminate Jews, a claim dismissed by most historians, who note that al-Husseini's meeting with Hitler occurred after the mass murder of Jews had already begun. Israeli academics strongly criticized the claim.

2015: Statements on Palestinian Statehood

As election day approached in the 2015 Israeli elections, Netanyahu answered 'indeed' when asked whether a Palestinian state would not be established in his term, and reiterated his support for a two-state solution.

December 2016: U.S. abstains from UN Security Council Resolution 2334

On 23 December 2016, the United States, under the Obama Administration, abstained from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, effectively allowing it to pass. On 28 December, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry strongly criticized Israel and its settlement policies in a speech, and Netanyahu strongly criticized both the UN Resolution and Kerry's speech in response.

2016: Israel to Wait Until After 2016 U.S. Election to Repair Relationship with White House

Due to rifts between Netanyahu and members of the Obama administration, Israel reportedly planned to wait until after the 2016 U.S. presidential election before attempting to repair relations with the White House.

January 2017: Israel withdraws dues from the UN

On 6 January 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6 million in United States dollars, following criticism of a UN Resolution and a speech made by John Kerry in late December 2016.

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.

October 2017: Israel announces departure from UNESCO

In October 2017, shortly after the US announced the same action, Netanyahu's government announced it was leaving UNESCO due to what it saw as anti-Israel actions by the agency, and it made that decision official in December 2017.

December 2017: Israel officially notifies UNESCO of withdrawal

In late December 2017, the Israeli government officially notified UNESCO of its withdrawal, following the initial announcement in October 2017 regarding its intention to leave the organization due to perceived anti-Israel actions.

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.

April 2018: Netanyahu accuses Iran of violating the Iran nuclear deal

In April 2018, Netanyahu accused Iran of not upholding its end of the Iran nuclear deal after presenting a cache of over 100,000 documents detailing the extent of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denounced Netanyahu's presentation as "propaganda".

April 2018: Erdoğan Calls Israel "Terror State" and Netanyahu "Terrorist"

In April 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Israel a "terror state" and Netanyahu a "terrorist", further escalating tensions between the two leaders.

July 2018: Knesset passes the Nation-State Bill

In July 2018, the Knesset passed the Nation-State Bill, a Basic Law supported by Netanyahu's coalition government. Analysts viewed the bill as a sign of Netanyahu's coalition advancing a right-wing agenda.

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!.

2018: Netanyahu Condemns Polish Prime Minister's Comments on Holocaust Perpetrators

In 2018, after the Polish prime minister suggested that there were Jewish perpetrators implicated in the Holocaust, Netanyahu denounced the comments as "outrageous". This led to a crisis in Israel-Poland relations, which was later resolved with a joint communiqué endorsing research into the Holocaust and condemning the term "Polish concentration camps".

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.

March 2019: Netanyahu and Erdoğan Trade Insults

In March 2019, after Turkey denounced Netanyahu as a racist, Netanyahu called Erdoğan a dictator and mocked him for imprisoning journalists. Erdoğan responded by calling Netanyahu "the thief who heads Israel".

April 2019: Netanyahu brokers deal uniting Jewish Home with Otzma Yehudit

Prior to the April 2019 Israeli legislative election, Netanyahu helped broker a deal that united the Jewish Home party with the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, in order to form the Union of the Right-Wing Parties. The motivation of the deal was to overcome the electoral threshold for smaller parties. The deal was criticized in the media, as Otzma is widely characterized as racist and traces its origins to the extremist Kahanist movement.

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: 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.

2022: Settlement housing unit construction triple the amount advanced in 2022

In its first six months, construction of 13,000 housing units in settlements, almost triple the amount advanced in the whole of 2022.

February 2023: Government approves legalization of settler outposts

In February 2023, the government approved the legalization of nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took charge of most of the Civil Administration, obtaining broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank. Israeli peace groups condemned the move as de jure annexation of the occupied territories.

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.

October 2024: Assassination Attempt and Invasion of Lebanon

In October 2024, Netanyahu survived an assassination attempt and subsequently ordered an invasion of Lebanon, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah's military capabilities.

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.

December 2024: Invasion of Syria

Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria.

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.

November 2025: Netanyahu requests pardon from president Isaac Herzog

On 30 November 2025, Netanyahu formally asked for a pardon from president Isaac Herzog.

2025: Israeli Strikes on Iran and Twelve-Day War

In 2025, Netanyahu presided over Israeli strikes on Iran, which then escalated into the Twelve-Day War.

February 2026: Major Attack on Iran with the US

In February 2026, Netanyahu launched a major attack on Iran in conjunction with the United States, with the stated objective of 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.