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

Sections (6)

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

1911: Family Migration to Palestine

In 1911, Benjamin Netanyahu's mother's family migrated from Minneapolis to Petah Tikva in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem.

1948: Establishment of the State of Israel

Yitzhak Rabin was born in Jerusalem, under the British Mandate of Palestine, prior to the 1948 founding of the Israeli state.

October 1949: Birth of Benjamin Netanyahu

In October 1949, Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu was born. He would later become Israel's longest-serving prime minister, holding office multiple times.

1949: Benjamin Netanyahu Born

In 1949, Benjamin Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv.

1956: Family Lived in the United States

Between 1956 and 1958, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States.

1958: Family Lived in the United States

Between 1956 and 1958, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States.

1963: Family Lived in the United States

From 1963 to 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States.

1967: Netanyahu Enlists in the Israel Defense Forces

After graduating from high school in 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces.

1967: Family Lived in the United States

From 1963 to 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States.

1967: Support for African Hebrew Israelites' integration

In 1967, Netanyahu supported the integration of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem into Israeli society and participated in celebrations commemorating their "exodus" from America to Israel.

March 1968: Battle of Karameh

In March 1968, Benjamin Netanyahu took part in the Battle of Karameh as part of the IDF's attack on Jordan.

May 1972: Rescue of Sabena Flight 571

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

1972: Netanyahu Returns to US

In 1972, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the US after his service in the Israel Defense Forces.

1972: Netanyahu Returns to US to Study Architecture

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

October 1973: Yom Kippur War Service

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

February 1975: Netanyahu Completes Bachelor's Degree

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

1976: Netanyahu Earns Master's Degree

In 1976, Benjamin 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: Netanyahu Appears on Boston Television

In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Boston local television as "Ben Nitay", discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict.

1978: Netanyahu Returns to Israel and Founds The Jonathan Institute

In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu moved back to Israel and founded The Jonathan Institute.

1978: Netanyahu Returns to Israel

In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and ran the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute.

1980: Netanyahu Runs Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute

Between 1978 and 1980, Benjamin Netanyahu ran the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute.

1981: Netanyahu married Fleur Cates

In 1981, Netanyahu married Fleur Cates, and she converted to Judaism.

1988: Fleur Cates sued for divorce

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

1988: Netanyahu Enters Politics

Prior to the 1988 Israeli legislative election, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the Likud party.

July 1991: Birth of son Yair

On July 26, 1991, Netanyahu and his third wife, Sara Ben-Artzi, had their son Yair.

1992: Likud Party Defeat

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

October 1994: Birth of son Avner

On October 10, 1994, Netanyahu and his third wife, Sara Ben-Artzi, had their son Avner.

March 1996: Suicide Bombings

On March 3 and 4, 1996, Palestinians carried out two suicide bombings, killing 32 Israelis, which contributed to the downfall of Shimon Peres during the election.

1996: Netanyahu Becomes Prime Minister

In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu first became the Prime Minister of Israel.

2009: Netanyahu Becomes Prime Minister Again

In 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu became prime minister again.

2012: Appreciation for the Hebrew Israelite community

In 2012, Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the cooperative society working to include the Hebrew Israelite community in Israeli society, stating their experience is integral to the Israeli experience.

2015: Response to Ethiopian Jewish Protests Against Police Brutality

In 2015, after Ethiopian Jewish protests against police brutality, Netanyahu pledged a comprehensive plan to assist them and condemned racism and discrimination.

2016: Netanyahu Emphasizes Closeness to Donald Trump

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

February 2017: Netanyahu's Visit to Australia

In February 2017, Netanyahu became the first serving prime minister of Israel to visit Australia. He was accompanied by his wife, Sara. The three-day official visit included a delegation of business representatives, and Netanyahu and Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull were scheduled to sign several bilateral agreements. Netanyahu recalled that it was the Australian Light Horse regiments that liberated Beersheba during World War I.