Early Life and Education of Benjamin Netanyahu: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Benjamin Netanyahu, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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, marking a significant impact on the nation's political landscape.

Sections (6)

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

1910: Birth of Benzion Netanyahu

In 1910, Netanyahu's father, Benzion Netanyahu, was born in Warsaw.

1911: Segal family migrated from Minneapolis

In 1911, Tzila Segal's family migrated from Minneapolis.

1912: Birth of Tzila Segal

In 1912, Netanyahu's mother, Tzila Segal, was born in Petah Tikva.

1948: Sudan fought in wars against Israel

In 1948, Sudan fought in wars against Israel.

1948: Israel

The State of Israel founded in 1948.

1949: Born in Tel Aviv

In 1949, Benjamin Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv.

1956: Family lived in the United States

Between 1956 and 1958, Netanyahu's family lived in the United States in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, while his father taught at Dropsie College.

1963: Family lived in the United States again

From 1963 to 1967, Netanyahu's family lived in the United States again while his father taught at Dropsie College.

1967: Graduated from high school

In 1967, Netanyahu graduated from Cheltenham High School.

1967: Returned to Israel to Join the Israel Defense Forces

In 1967, Netanyahu returned to Israel to join the Israel Defense Forces and served in the Sayeret Matkal special forces unit.

1967: African Hebrew Israelites Exodus to Israel

In 1967, Netanyahu supports the integration of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem into Israeli society, and takes part in celebrations in honor of this community's "exodus" from America to Israel.

1967: Sudan fought in wars against Israel

In 1967, Sudan fought in wars against Israel.

March 1968: Participated in the Battle of Karameh

In March 1968, Netanyahu took part in the Battle of Karameh during the War of Attrition.

May 1972: Rescued Sabena Flight 571

In May 1972, Netanyahu was involved in the rescue of the hijacked Sabena Flight 571, during which he was shot in the shoulder.

1972: Move to the United States

In 1972, Netanyahu and Miriam Weizmann moved to the United States for their studies. Miriam enrolled in Brandeis University, while Netanyahu studied at MIT.

1972: Returned to the US

In 1972, Netanyahu returned to the US and started graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then worked for the Boston Consulting Group.

1972: Returned to the US to study at MIT

In late 1972, Netanyahu returned to the United States to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

October 1973: Served in the Yom Kippur War

In October 1973, Netanyahu returned to Israel to serve in the Yom Kippur War.

February 1975: Completed bachelor's degree

In February 1975, Netanyahu completed a bachelor's degree in architecture from MIT.

1976: Earned a master's degree from MIT

In 1976, Netanyahu earned a master's degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

April 1978: Birth of Daughter Noa

On April 29, 1978, Netanyahu and his first wife, Miriam Weizmann, had their daughter, Noa.

1978: Returned to Israel

In 1978, Netanyahu returned to Israel and began running the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute.

1978: Affair with Fleur Cates

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

1981: Marriage to Fleur Cates

In 1981, Netanyahu married Fleur Cates, who converted to Judaism.

1988: Divorce from Fleur Cates

In 1988, after moving with Netanyahu to Israel, Fleur Cates sued for divorce.

July 1991: Birth of Son Yair

In July 1991, Netanyahu and his third wife, Sara Ben-Artzi, had their son, Yair.

October 1994: Birth of Son Avner

In October 1994, Netanyahu and Sara Ben-Artzi had their son, Avner.

2003: Diagnosis of RBBB

Netanyahu has been suffering from right bundle branch block (RBBB) since around 2003.

2008: Colon Polyp Removal

In the first half of 2008, doctors removed a small colon polyp from Netanyahu that proved to be benign.

2012: Netanyahu Supports Inclusion of Hebrew Israelite Community

In 2012, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the cooperative society working towards the inclusion of the Hebrew Israelite community in Israeli society and declared their experience an integral part of the Israeli experience.

2015: Netanyahu on Racism and Discrimination

In 2015, following Ethiopian Jewish protests against police brutality, Netanyahu pledged to bring a comprehensive plan to assist the community and condemned racism and discrimination.

2016: Closeness to Donald Trump

From 2016, Netanyahu made his closeness to Donald Trump central to his appeal.

2022: Increase in Settlement Housing Construction

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

July 2023: Pacemaker Implanted

On July 22, 2023, a pacemaker was implanted in Netanyahu's body.

March 2024: Hernia Discovered

In March 2024, a hernia was discovered on Netanyahu.

October 2024: Survived assassination attempt and ordered invasion of Lebanon

In October 2024, Netanyahu survived an assassination attempt and ordered an invasion of Lebanon with the goal of destroying Hezbollah's military capabilities.