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 Netanyahu is an Israeli politician who currently serves as the prime minister of Israel (since 2022) and previously held the office twice (1996-1999, 2009-2021). As the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, he has held the position for a total of over 17 years. His political career has significantly shaped Israeli politics and foreign policy.
1910: Birth of Father, Benzion Netanyahu
In 1910, Benzion Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu's father, was born.
1912: Birth of Netanyahu's Mother
In 1912, Netanyahu's mother, Tzila (Cela) Segal, was born in Petah Tikva, then in Ottoman Palestine, now Israel.
1912: Birth of Mother, Tzila Segal
In 1912, Tzila Segal, Benjamin Netanyahu's mother, was born.
1948: Before the Founding 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 Netanyahu was born. He is an Israeli politician who has served multiple terms as prime minister.
1949: Birth in Tel Aviv
In 1949, Benjamin Netanyahu was born in Tel Aviv.
1956: Family Moves to the United States
Between 1956 and 1958, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States while his father taught at Dropsie College.
1958: Family in the United States
Between 1956 and 1958, Benjamin Netanyahu's family lived in the United States while his father taught at Dropsie College.
1963: Family Returns to the United States
From 1963 to 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu's family again lived in the United States while his father taught at Dropsie College.
1967: Graduation from High School
In 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu graduated from Cheltenham High School.
1967: Return to Israel and IDF Enrollment
In 1967, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the Israel Defense Forces.
1967: Return to Israel and Enlistment in IDF
In 1967, after graduating high school, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces.
March 1968: Battle of Karameh
In March 1968, Benjamin Netanyahu participated in the Battle of Karameh during the War of Attrition.
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: Return to the United States
In 1972, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to the United States to continue his education.
1972: Move to the United States with Miriam Weizmann
In 1972, Netanyahu and Miriam Weizmann moved to the United States to study, with Netanyahu enrolling at MIT and Weizmann at Brandeis University.
October 1973: Service in Yom Kippur War
In October 1973, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel to serve in the Yom Kippur War.
February 1975: Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
In February 1975, Benjamin Netanyahu completed a bachelor's degree in architecture from MIT.
1976: Master's Degree from MIT
In 1976, Benjamin Netanyahu earned a master's degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
1976: Economic Consulting for Boston Consulting Group
In 1976, while working as an economic consultant for Boston Consulting Group, Netanyahu analyzed European governments and identified concentrations of power that stifled competition, influencing his future economic views.
April 1978: Birth of Daughter Noa
On April 29, 1978, Netanyahu's daughter, Noa, was born to his first wife, Miriam Weizmann.
1978: Television Appearance as Ben Nitai
In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Boston local television under the name "Ben Nitai" to discuss the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1978: Affair with Fleur Cates
In 1978, Netanyahu began an affair with Fleur Cates, leading to his divorce from Miriam Weizmann.
1981: Marriage to Fleur Cates
In 1981, Netanyahu married Fleur Cates, who converted to Judaism.
1988: Divorce from Fleur Cates
In 1988, Fleur Cates sued for divorce from Netanyahu after they had moved to Israel.
July 1991: Marriage to Sara Ben-Artzi and Birth of Son Yair
In July 1991, Netanyahu married Sara Ben-Artzi. Their son Yair was born on July 26, 1991.
1993: Confession of Affair with Ruth Bar
In 1993, Netanyahu confessed on live television to having an affair with Ruth Bar, his public relations advisor, citing political blackmail.
October 1994: Birth of Son Avner
On October 10, 1994, Netanyahu's son Avner was born.
1995: Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism
In his 1995 book, "Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism", Netanyahu advocated for tightening immigration laws in the West as a method to combat terrorism.
January 1996: Assassination of Yahya Ayyash
In January 1996, the Shin Bet assassinated Hamas military leader Yahya Ayyash on January 5, 1996, leading to retaliatory attacks.
March 1996: Netanyahu Closes Gap in Polls
By the middle of March 1996, Netanyahu had significantly closed the gap in the polls against Peres, trailing by only five percentage points, due to terror attacks.
March 1996: Suicide Bombings
In March 1996, a wave of suicide bombings shortly before the elections caused a downfall of Shimon Peres.
September 1996: First Meeting with Arafat
In September 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu met Palestinian President Arafat for the first time after a telephone conversation. Netanyahu emphasized the need to consider the needs of both sides based on reciprocity and security, while Arafat expressed determination to work with Netanyahu's government.
1996: Opening of Western Wall Tunnel Exit
In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem's mayor Ehud Olmert decided to open an exit in the Arab Quarter for the Western Wall Tunnel, sparking rioting.
1996: Media Reports of Friendship with Katherine Price-Mondadori
In 1996, the media reported that Netanyahu had a 20-year friendship with Katherine Price-Mondadori, an Italian-American woman.
May 1998: Ansariya Ambush and Prisoner Exchange
In May 1998, Hezbollah ambushed IDF's Shayetet 13 in Ansariya, South Lebanon. On May 25, 1998, remains were exchanged for Lebanese prisoners and bodies of Hezbollah fighters.
November 1998: Approval of Wye River Memorandum
In November 1998, the Knesset approved the Wye River Memorandum by a vote of 75-19. The Wye River Memorandum detailed steps for the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to implement the Interim Agreement of 1995.
1998: Reputation as Advocate for Free-Market
By 1998, Netanyahu had acquired a reputation as "the advocate of the free-market".
1999: Advocating Peace with Free Markets
In 1999, Netanyahu told the Jerusalem Post that peace without free markets will not produce growth, but free markets without peace do produce growth.
2000: Lawsuit Filed Against Syrian and Iranian Officials
In 2000, families of American victims of terrorist attacks filed a lawsuit against Syrian Minister of Defense Mustafa Tlass, Ghazi Kanaan, and Iranian Minister of Intelligence Ali Fallahian.
2003: Diagnosis of Right Bundle Branch Block
Around 2003, Netanyahu was diagnosed with right bundle branch block (RBBB).
2003: Minister of Finance and Economic Overhaul
In 2003, as Minister of Finance, Netanyahu introduced a major overhaul of the Israeli economy, including a welfare to work program, privatization, and tax system reforms.
2005: Economic Boom
By 2005, the Israeli economy started booming, and unemployment fell significantly, with Netanyahu widely credited with an 'economic miracle'.
2008: Removal of Benign Colon Polyp
In the first half of 2008, doctors removed a small colon polyp from Netanyahu that proved to be benign.
February 2009: New Elections Supported
In February 2009, following Tzipi Livni's election to head Kadima and Olmert's resignation, Netanyahu declined to join Livni's coalition and supported new elections.
June 2009: Bar-Ilan Speech on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
In June 2009, Netanyahu delivered the "Bar-Ilan speech" at Bar-Ilan University, endorsing for the first time the notion of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
June 2009: Bar-Ilan University Speech
On June 14, 2009, Netanyahu gave a speech at Bar-Ilan University in which he endorsed a "Demilitarized Palestinian State", conditioned on Jerusalem remaining the unified capital of Israel and other stipulations.
July 2009: Government Approval and Economic Boost
In July 2009, a survey indicated that most Israelis supported the Netanyahu government. Also, Netanyahu lifted checkpoints in the West Bank, resulting in an economic boost.
August 2009: Potential Meeting with Abbas
In August 2009, Mahmoud Abbas declared his willingness to meet with Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly.
August 2009: Repeating Claims from the Palestinians
On 9 August 2009, speaking at the opening of a government meeting, Netanyahu repeated his claims from the Palestinians regarding recognition of Israel and security settlements.
September 2009: Settlement Construction Agreement
In September 2009, Netanyahu was reported to be in a pivotal moment over understandings that included a compromise over permission on continuing construction in the West Bank.
September 2009: UN General Assembly Speech on Iran
On 24 September 2009, Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, expressing concerns about Iran's regime and its nuclear ambitions, framing it as a threat to global civilization.
September 2009: UN General Assembly Address
On September 24, 2009, Netanyahu addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, condemning Iran's nuclear ambitions and questioning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Holocaust denial.
November 2009: Partial Settlement Freeze Plan
In November 2009, Netanyahu announced a partial 10-month settlement construction freeze plan in response to pressure from the Obama administration, though Palestinians rejected the gesture.
2009: Influx of African Migrants
Beginning in 2009 and continuing until 2013, approximately 60,000 people crossed into Israel from various African countries, leading to concerns from Netanyahu regarding the nation's social fabric and security.
2009: US Support for Palestinian State
In 2009, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, a solution not endorsed by prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.
2010: Formation of the Concentration Committee
In 2010, Netanyahu formed the Concentration Committee to address and provide insight to business affairs and market competition.
November 2011: Unprecedented security cooperation
According to a U.S. State Department representative in November 2011, under the leadership of Netanyahu and Obama, Israel and the United States have enjoyed unprecedented security cooperation.
November 2011: Biden Highlights Longstanding Relationship
In November 2011, U.S. President Joe Biden, emphasized his 39-year long relationship with Netanyahu.
2011: Sarkozy and Obama's Comments on Netanyahu
During the 2011 G-20 Cannes summit, French president Nicolas Sarkozy was overheard telling U.S. President Barack Obama that he could not bear Netanyahu, calling him a liar. Obama reportedly responded that he had to deal with Netanyahu every day.
September 2012: UN General Assembly Speech on Iran's Nuclear Program
On 28 September 2012, Netanyahu addressed the UN General Assembly, setting forward a "red line" of 90% uranium enrichment for Iran, using a cartoon graphic of a bomb to illustrate the perceived threat.
2012: Warning Against Iranian Nuclear Bomb
Early in 2012, Netanyahu used Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day to warn against the dangers of an Iranian nuclear bomb, drawing criticism for his use of the Holocaust for political purposes.
2012: Appreciation for African Hebrew Israelites
In 2012, Netanyahu expressed appreciation towards the cooperative society that is working towards the inclusion of the Hebrew Israelite community in Israeli society at large.
2012: Close Ties with Mitt Romney
In 2012, Netanyahu had close ties with Mitt Romney, the U.S. Republican Party's presidential candidate. They first became acquainted while working at the Boston Consulting Group in the mid-1970s.
2012: Prevention of Infiltration Law Passed
In 2012, the Netanyahu government passed the "Prevention of Infiltration Law", mandating automatic detention for individuals entering Israel without permission. Amnesty International criticized the law.
2012: Biden Highlights Longstanding Relationship
In the 2012 U.S. vice presidential debate, Joe Biden stated that his relationship with Netanyahu has lasted for 39 years.
May 2013: Conflicting Promises to Wultz Family and China
In May 2013, prior to a state visit to China, Netanyahu reportedly made conflicting promises regarding cooperation in the terror-financing case against Bank of China, creating a dilemma between commitments to the Wultz family and the Chinese government.
July 2013: Port Privatization Campaign
In July 2013, Netanyahu issued tenders for the construction of private ports in Haifa and Ashdod as part of a port privatization campaign.
August 2013: Congressional Delegation to Israel
In August 2013, Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the House Middle East and South Asia subcommittee, raised the issue while leading a congressional delegation to Israel, stressing to Israeli officials the importance of them providing the Wultz family what they need for their lawsuit.
October 2013: Remarks on Iranian Regime and Nuclear Weapons
In an October 2013 interview with BBC Persian Service, Netanyahu stated that if the Iranian regime possesses nuclear weapons, the Iranian people will never be free of dictatorship.
December 2013: Business Concentration Law Approved
In December 2013, the Knesset approved the Business Concentration Law, aiming to increase competition and reduce income inequality in Israel's economy.
2013: Influx of African Migrants
Between 2009 and 2013, approximately 60,000 people crossed into Israel from various African countries. Netanyahu expressed concerns over the threat to the social fabric, national security, and national identity.
2013: Trump Endorses Netanyahu
In 2013, Donald Trump made a video endorsing Netanyahu during the Israeli elections, calling him a "terrific guy" and "great for Israel".
April 2014: Netanyahu criticizes Palestinian unity government
In April 2014, Netanyahu voiced strong concerns about the agreement and subsequent formation of a unity government between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, also criticizing the US and European governments for working with the coalition.
October 2014: Obama Administration Official's Criticism
In October 2014, an Obama administration official called Netanyahu a "chickenshit" after Netanyahu accused President Obama of "acting contrary to American values".
November 2014: Strained Relationship with Obama Administration
By November 2014, the relationship between Netanyahu and the Obama administration had become so strained that Israel planned to wait until a new U.S. president was elected before attempting to repair it.
2015: Mossad assessment of Iranian readiness to enrich uranium
According to cables leaked in 2015, Mossad's assessment at the time was that Iran did not appear ready to enrich uranium to levels required for a nuclear bomb.
2015: Response to Ethiopian Jewish Protests
In 2015, after Ethiopian Jewish protests against police brutality, Netanyahu pledged to bring a comprehensive plan to the government to combat racism and discrimination in Israeli society.
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. The U.S. abstained from the vote. Netanyahu's office alleged that the Obama administration colluded with the UN against Israel.
2016: Closeness to Donald Trump
From 2016, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his closeness to Donald Trump in his political appeal.
2017: Call for Death Penalty
In 2017, Netanyahu called for the death penalty to be imposed on the perpetrator of the 2017 Halamish stabbing attack.
January 2018: Preliminary Vote on Death Penalty Bill
In January 2018, a preliminary vote in the Knesset favored a bill allowing the death penalty for terrorism, marking a step towards potential legislative change.
April 2018: Erdoğan's Criticism of Netanyahu and Israel
In April 2018, Turkish President Erdoğan called Israel a "terror state" and Netanyahu a "terrorist".
2018: Relationship with Jair Bolsonaro
Following Jair Bolsonaro's election in 2018, Netanyahu developed a close relationship with the Brazilian President.
2018: Controversy over Polish Holocaust Law and Comments
In early 2018, a new Polish law criminalized suggestions of Polish complicity in Holocaust-related crimes. Later in 2018, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's comment regarding Jewish perpetrators in the Holocaust was called "outrageous" by Netanyahu.
2018: Start of Political Crisis
The 2018 Israeli political crisis began, leading to political instability.
June 2019: Settlement Renamed After Donald Trump
In June 2019, Netanyahu officially renamed a settlement in the disputed Golan Heights after Donald Trump.
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 Benny Gantz, his political opponent.
2020: Praise for Airstrike
In 2020, Netanyahu praised the U.S. military's Baghdad International Airport airstrike, which killed the high-level Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, saying that Trump had acted "swiftly, forcefully and decisively".
2020: Collapse of Rotation Agreement
In 2020, the rotation agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz collapsed.
March 2021: Israeli Election
In March 2021, Israel held an election amidst a political crisis.
2022: Netanyahu's Book on Putin
In his 2022 book, Netanyahu wrote positively about Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing him as "smart, sophisticated and focused on one goal – returning Russia to his historical greatness".
July 2023: Pacemaker Implantation
On 22 July 2023, a pacemaker was implanted in Netanyahu's body.
2023: Diplomacy with China
Since 2023, Netanyahu has been engaged in diplomacy with Chinese President Xi Jinping due to strained ties between the US and Israel.
March 2024: Hernia Discovery
In March 2024, a hernia was discovered on Netanyahu.
October 2024: Invasion of Lebanon
In October 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an invasion of Lebanon.
December 2024: Prostate Removal
In December 2024, Netanyahu's prostate was removed following a urinary tract infection caused by an enlargement.
December 2024: Invasion of Syria
In December 2024, after the fall of the Assad regime, Benjamin Netanyahu directed an invasion of Syria against the Syrian opposition.
