History of Benjamin Netanyahu in Timeline
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: Sudan fought in wars against Israel
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: Sudan fought in wars against Israel
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: Employment at Boston Consulting Group
Between 1976 and 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu worked as an economic consultant for the Boston Consulting Group in Boston, Massachusetts.
1976: Master's Degree from MIT
In 1976, Benjamin Netanyahu earned a master's degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
1976: Death of Yonatan Netanyahu
In 1976, Benjamin Netanyahu's older brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed during Operation Thunderbolt at Entebbe Airport.
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: End of Employment at Boston Consulting Group
Between 1976 and 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu worked as an economic consultant for the Boston Consulting Group in Boston, Massachusetts.
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: Founding of Anti-Terror Institute
In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu moved back to Israel to found the Yonatan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute.
1978: Return to Israel and Anti-Terror Institute
In 1978, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and ran the Jonathan Netanyahu Anti-Terror Institute.
1978: Affair with Fleur Cates
In 1978, Netanyahu began an affair with Fleur Cates, leading to his divorce from Miriam Weizmann.
1980: Director of Marketing for Rim Industries
From 1980 to 1982, Benjamin Netanyahu was director of marketing for Rim Industries in Jerusalem.
1981: Marriage to Fleur Cates
In 1981, Netanyahu married Fleur Cates, who converted to Judaism.
1982: Deputy Chief of Mission
In 1982, Arens appointed Netanyahu as his Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.
1982: End of Role at Rim Industries
In 1982, Benjamin Netanyahu's role as director of marketing for Rim Industries ended.
1984: Appointment as Ambassador to the UN
From 1984 to 1988, Benjamin Netanyahu served as the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.
1988: End of UN Ambassadorship
In 1988, Benjamin Netanyahu's service as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations concluded.
1988: End of Term as Ambassador to the UN
In 1988, Benjamin Netanyahu's term as the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations concluded.
1988: Divorce from Fleur Cates
In 1988, Fleur Cates sued for divorce from Netanyahu after they had moved to Israel.
1988: Return to Israel and Joining Likud
Prior to the 1988 Israeli legislative election, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel and joined the Likud party, being elected to the Knesset.
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.
1992: Defeat of Likud Party
Following the defeat of the Likud party in the 1992 Israeli legislative elections, the party held a leadership election in 1993.
1993: Election as Chair of Likud
In 1993, Benjamin Netanyahu was elected as chair of the Likud party, becoming the leader of the opposition.
1993: Victory in Likud Party Leadership Election
In 1993, Benjamin Netanyahu was victorious in the Likud party leadership election.
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.
1993: Authored "Trojan Horse" chapter opposing Oslo Accords
In 1993, Netanyahu dedicated a chapter of his book A Place Among the Nations, entitled "Trojan Horse", to argue against the Oslo peace process.
1993: Legal Precedent Set by Supreme Court
In 1993, legal precedent was set by the Israeli Supreme Court, which Netanyahu complied with in November 2019 by relinquishing his agriculture, health, social affairs and diaspora affairs portfolios.
October 1994: Birth of Son Avner
On October 10, 1994, Netanyahu's son Avner was born.
1994: Last Arab country to normalize relations with Israel
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.
May 1996: Election as Prime Minister
In May 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu won the Israeli legislative election, becoming the youngest person in history to hold the position of Prime Minister and the first Israeli prime minister to be born in the State of Israel.
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: Election as Prime Minister
In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote and the youngest to hold the position.
1996: Victory of the Likud Party
In 1996, Netanyahu's Likud party defeated Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party due to a campaign of massive retaliation.
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.
July 1997: Mahane Yehuda market bombings
On July 30, 1997, Hamas bombers attacked Mahane Yehuda market, killing 21 Israelis.
September 1997: Mossad Attempt to Assassinate Khaled Mashal
In September 1997, Netanyahu authorized a Mossad operation to assassinate Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Jordan. The attempt failed, leading to a diplomatic crisis and the release of Jordanian and Palestinian prisoners. The Mossad team entered Jordan on September 27, 1997.
September 1997: Ben Yehuda Street Bombings
On September 4, 1997, Hamas bombers attacked Ben Yehuda street, killing 21 Israelis.
1997: Police Recommendation for Indictment on Corruption Charges
In 1997, police recommended that 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 that there was insufficient evidence to go to trial.
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: Defeat and Retirement from Politics
In 1999, Benjamin Netanyahu was defeated in the election, leading to his retirement from politics and entry into the private sector.
1999: End of First Term as Prime Minister
In 1999, Benjamin Netanyahu's first term as the prime minister of Israel came to an end.
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.
1999: Defeat in Election and Temporary Retirement
In 1999, after being defeated by Ehud Barak in the Israeli prime ministerial election, Netanyahu temporarily retired from politics.
1999: Police Recommendation to Try Netanyahu for Corruption
In 1999, the Israel Police recommended that Netanyahu be tried for corruption related to $100,000 in free services from a government contractor. Israel's attorney general did not prosecute, citing difficulties with evidence.
1999: Impact of Israeli Failures Against Hamas and Hezbollah
In 1999, the impact of major Israeli failures against Hamas and Hezbollah under Netanyahu's first premiership and their results in the subsequent releases of imprisoned Palestinian and Lebanese leaders from Israeli jails are thought to have dealt a blow to Netanyahu's rhetoric of a "tough stance" towards enemies of Israel, and to have played a role in his defeat in the 1999 Israeli general election.
2000: Case 2000 Involves Deal with Publisher Arnon Mozes
In 2000, 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, Israel Hayom, in exchange for more favorable coverage of Netanyahu.
2000: Death of Mother, Tzila Segal
In 2000, Tzila Segal, Benjamin Netanyahu's mother, passed away.
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.
2000: Desire to Return to Politics
In late 2000, with the fall of the Barak government, Netanyahu expressed his desire to return to politics, but decided not to run for prime minister.
2001: Netanyahu unaware of recording
In 2001, Netanyahu, reportedly unaware he was being recorded, said something.
September 2002: Testimony on Iraqi Nuclear Threat
On September 12, 2002, Netanyahu testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, asserting that Saddam Hussein was actively developing nuclear weapons.
September 2002: Speech Canceled Due to Protests in Montreal
On September 9, 2002, a scheduled speech by Netanyahu at Concordia University in Montreal was canceled after pro-Palestinian protesters overwhelmed security. Netanyahu accused the activists of supporting terrorism and "mad zealotry".
October 2002: Protests Met Netanyahu Outside his Heinz Hall Appearance in Pittsburgh
On October 1, 2002 around 200 protesters met Netanyahu outside his Heinz Hall appearance in Pittsburgh although Pittsburgh Police, Israeli security and a Pittsburgh SWAT unit allowed his speeches to continue downtown at the hall and the Duquesne Club as well as suburban Robert Morris University.
2002: Appointment as Foreign Minister
In 2002, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon appointed Netanyahu as foreign minister after the Israeli Labor Party left the coalition.
2003: Diagnosis of Right Bundle Branch Block
Around 2003, Netanyahu was diagnosed with right bundle branch block (RBBB).
2003: Appointment as Finance Minister
Following the 2003 Israeli legislative election, Sharon offered Netanyahu the Finance Ministry, which he accepted.
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.
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.
August 2005: Resignation as Finance Minister
On August 7, 2005, Netanyahu submitted his resignation letter as Finance Minister, shortly before the Israeli cabinet voted to approve the initial phase of withdrawal from Gaza.
September 2005: Attempt to Hold Early Primaries
In September 2005, Netanyahu tried to hold early primaries for the head of the Likud party, but the party rejected the initiative.
December 2005: Retaking Leadership of Likud
On December 20, 2005, Netanyahu retook the leadership of Likud with 47% of the primary vote.
2005: Economic Boom
By 2005, the Israeli economy started booming, and unemployment fell significantly, with Netanyahu widely credited with an 'economic miracle'.
2005: Return to Lead Likud
In 2005, Benjamin Netanyahu returned to lead the Likud party.
2005: Dismantled settlements
In 2005, four Israeli settlements, Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim, were dismantled as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza.
March 2006: Likud Takes Third Place in Knesset Elections
In March 2006, Likud took third place in the Knesset elections, and Netanyahu served as Leader of the Opposition.
2006: Leader of the Opposition
In 2006, Benjamin Netanyahu became the leader of the opposition, a position he held until 2009.
August 2007: Reelection as Likud Chairman
On August 14, 2007, Netanyahu was reelected as chairman of the Likud and its candidate for prime minister with 73% of the vote.
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.
January 2009: Informed Middle East envoy Tony Blair
In January 2009, Netanyahu informed Middle East envoy Tony Blair that he would continue the policy of the Israeli governments of Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert by expanding settlements in the West Bank, in contravention of the Road Map, but not building new ones.
February 2009: Designated Prime Minister
In February 2009, despite Likud winning the second highest number of seats, Netanyahu claimed victory and was designated by President Shimon Peres to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister.
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.
March 2009: Government Approved
On March 31, 2009, Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset "Vote of Confidence". The 32nd Government was approved that day.
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.
June 2009: Public statements advocating an "economic peace" approach
Until a speech in June 2009, Netanyahu repeatedly made public statements which advocated an "economic peace" approach, meaning an approach based on economic cooperation and joint effort rather than continuous contention over political and diplomatic issues.
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: Netanyahu promised not to repeat the "mistake" of the Gaza unilateral pullout
On 9 August 2009, Netanyahu promised not to repeat the "mistake" of the Gaza unilateral pullout, saying, "We will not repeat this mistake. We will not create new evacuees", and adding that "the unilateral evacuation brought neither peace nor security. On the contrary", and that "We want an agreement with two factors, the first of which is the recognition of Israel as the national state of the Jewish people and [the second is] a security settlement. In the case of Gaza, both of these factors were lacking".
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: Second Term as Prime Minister
In 2009, Benjamin Netanyahu began his second term as the prime minister of Israel, continuing until 2021.
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: Death of Father, Benzion Netanyahu
In 2012, Benzion Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu's father, passed away.
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: Likud Victory in Elections
In 2013, Benjamin Netanyahu led Likud to victory in the elections.
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".
2013: Denied reports
In 2013, Netanyahu denied reports that his government would agree to peace talks on the basis of the green line.
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: Government Approves Privatization Plan and Criticizes Settlement Criticism
In October 2014, Netanyahu's government approved a privatization plan to reduce corruption and politicization, also that month, Netanyahu criticized American values, leading to a sharp rebuke from the White House.
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.
December 2014: Netanyahu Fired Ministers Leading to Government Dissolution
On 2 December 2014, Netanyahu fired Finance Minister Yair Lapid and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, leading to the dissolution of the government and setting the stage for new elections.
2014: Agreed to the American framework
In 2014 he agreed to the American framework based on the green line and said that Jewish settlers must be allowed the option of staying in their settlements under Palestinian rule.
2014: Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat criticized Netanyahu
In 2014, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat criticized Netanyahu, calling him "ideologically corrupt" and a war criminal.
January 2015: Netanyahu Invited to Address US Congress
In January 2015, Netanyahu was invited to address the US Congress for the third time, and tried to derail a meeting between U.S. lawmakers and the head of Mossad.
March 2015: New elections expected
In March 2015, new elections are expected after the dissolution of the government on 2 December 2014.
March 2015: Reactions to Netanyahu's Speech
Leading up to the speech on 3 March 2015, Israeli consuls general in the United States expected a negative reaction from U.S. Jewish communities and Israel's allies due to the arrangement and timing of the speech.
May 2015: Netanyahu Granted Extension and Forms Coalition Government
In May 2015, President Rivlin granted Netanyahu an extension to build a coalition, which he successfully formed with several parties, including Jewish Home and United Torah Judaism, just two hours before the deadline.
May 2015: Netanyahu announces run for fifth term
On 28 May 2015, Netanyahu announced that he would be running for an unprecedented fifth term as prime minister in the next general election and that he supports Likud's current process of picking MK candidates.
August 2015: Government Approves Two-Year Budget
In August 2015, Netanyahu's government approved a two-year budget with plans for agricultural reforms, deregulation in construction, and reforms in the financial sector, although some agricultural reforms were later compromised.
October 2015: Netanyahu Claims Mufti Gave Hitler Idea for Holocaust
In October 2015, Netanyahu faced widespread criticism for claiming that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, inspired Hitler to exterminate Jews, a claim dismissed by historians and criticized by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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: Likud Victory in Elections
In 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu led Likud to victory in the elections.
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.
2015: Comments on Palestinian State
In 2015, as election day approached, Netanyahu stated that a Palestinian state would not be established in his term, citing concerns about yielding territory to radical Islamic terrorists, but reiterated his support for a peaceful, sustainable two-state solution.
March 2016: Coalition Crisis over Western Wall Prayer Space
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.
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.
December 2016: US Abstains from UN Security Council Resolution
On 23 December 2016, the United States abstained from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, allowing it to pass, leading to criticism from Netanyahu.
2016: Closeness to Donald Trump
From 2016, Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his closeness to Donald Trump in his political appeal.
January 2017: Israeli Government Withdraws Dues from the UN
On 6 January 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues, totaling $6 million, from the United Nations following criticism of Israel's settlement policies.
January 2017: Police Investigation into Cases 1000 and 2000
Since January 2017, Netanyahu has been under investigation and questioned by Israeli police in "Case 1000" and "Case 2000", involving allegations of inappropriate favors from businessmen and attempts to strike a deal for favorable media coverage.
May 2017: Showed Trump a fake and altered video
On 22 May 2017, Rex Tillerson stated that Netanyahu showed Donald Trump a fake and altered video of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calling for the killing of children.
August 2017: Police Confirm Netanyahu Suspected of Crimes
On 3 August 2017, Israeli police confirmed for the first time that Netanyahu was suspected of crimes involving fraud, breach of trust, and bribes in cases "1000" and "2000".
October 2017: Israel Announces Withdrawal from UNESCO
In October 2017, Netanyahu's government announced its decision to leave UNESCO, citing anti-Israel actions by the agency.
December 2017: Israel Officially Withdraws from UNESCO
In December 2017, the Israeli government officially notified UNESCO of its withdrawal, following the initial announcement in October 2017.
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.
February 2018: Police Recommend Indicting Netanyahu for Corruption
On 13 February 2018, Israeli police recommended that Netanyahu be charged with corruption, citing sufficient evidence to indict him on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in two cases.
April 2018: Erdoğan's Criticism of Netanyahu and Israel
In April 2018, Turkish President Erdoğan called Israel a "terror state" and Netanyahu a "terrorist".
April 2018: Netanyahu Accuses Iran of Violating Nuclear Deal
On 30 April 2018, Netanyahu accused Iran of not upholding its end of the Iran nuclear deal, presenting a cache of documents detailing Iran's nuclear program; Iran dismissed the presentation as "propaganda".
July 2018: Knesset Passed the Nation-State Bill
On 19 July 2018, the Knesset passed the Nation-State Bill, a Basic Law supported by Netanyahu's coalition government.
November 2018: Recommendation to Indict for Both Cases
On 25 November 2018, Economic Crimes Division Director Liat Ben-Ari recommended indictment for both cases against Netanyahu.
2018: Relationship with Jair Bolsonaro
Following Jair Bolsonaro's election in 2018, Netanyahu developed a close relationship with the Brazilian President.
2018: Praised North Korea-United States summit
In 2018, Netanyahu praised the 2018 North Korea–United States summit.
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.
February 2019: Attorney General Announces Intent to File Indictments
On 28 February 2019, the Israeli attorney general announced his intent to file indictments against Netanyahu on bribe and fraud charges in three different cases.
April 2019: Brokered deal with Otzma Yehudit party
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.
June 2019: Settlement Renamed After Donald Trump
In June 2019, Netanyahu officially renamed a settlement in the disputed Golan Heights after Donald Trump.
November 2019: Netanyahu Formally Indicted
Netanyahu was formally indicted on 21 November 2019, potentially facing up to 10 years in prison for bribery and three years for fraud and breach of trust, making him the first sitting prime minister in Israel's history to be charged with a crime.
2019: Indictment on Corruption Charges
In 2019, Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted on charges of breach of trust, bribery, and fraud.
2019: Supported bolstering Hamas
In 2019, Netanyahu said at a private Likud party meeting, "Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank."
January 2020: Publicly supported Trump's peace plan
In January 2020, Netanyahu publicly supported Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
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.
January 2020: Netanyahu Officially Charged
Netanyahu was officially charged on 28 January 2020, following the announcement of intent to file indictments in February 2019 and the formal indictment in November 2019.
May 2020: Sworn in for fifth term as prime minister
In May 2020, Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in for a fifth term as prime minister in a coalition with Benny Gantz. This occurred against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and Netanyahu's criminal trial, which led to demonstrations against him.
May 2020: Criminal Trial Set to Begin
Netanyahu's criminal trial was set to begin on 24 May 2020, after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2020: Sudan to normalize ties with Israel
In October 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Sudan would start to normalize ties with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.
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.
June 2021: Removal from Premiership
In June 2021, Benjamin Netanyahu was removed from the premiership.
June 2021: Ousted as prime minister
In June 2021, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid formed a coalition government, leading to Netanyahu being ousted as prime minister and ending his 12-year tenure.
2021: End of Second Term as Prime Minister
In 2021, Benjamin Netanyahu's second term as the prime minister of Israel concluded.
December 2022: Sworn in as prime minister again
In December 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as prime minister again, starting his sixth term as the leader of a hardline coalition.
2022: Return to Premiership
In 2022, Benjamin Netanyahu began serving again as the prime minister of Israel.
2022: Led the opposition into the 2022 Israeli legislative election
In 2022, Netanyahu led the opposition into the Israeli legislative election, with Likud remaining the largest party in the Knesset.
2022: Settlement housing units advanced
In 2022, settlement housing units construction tripled.
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".
February 2023: Government approved legalization of settler outposts
In February 2023, the new government under Netanyahu approved the legalization of nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.
March 2023: Repealed 2005 law on dismantled settlements
In March 2023, Netanyahu's government repealed a 2005 law regarding the dismantling of four Israeli settlements as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza.
April 2023: Criminal Trial Ongoing
As of April 2023, Netanyahu's criminal trial, initially set to begin in May 2020, was still ongoing.
June 2023: Coalition shortened settlement construction approval
In June 2023, Netanyahu's coalition shortened the procedure for approving settlement construction and granted Finance Minister Smotrich the authority to approve one of the stages.
July 2023: Pacemaker Implantation
On 22 July 2023, a pacemaker was implanted in Netanyahu's body.
September 2023: Continued backing the payments in response to Qatari questions
According to the New York Times, Netanyahu continued backing the payments in response to Qatari questions as late as September 2023.
October 2023: Criticism over intelligence failure
In October 2023, Netanyahu faced criticism for presiding over what was described as Israel's biggest intelligence failure in 50 years, leading to increased opposition and calls for his resignation.
November 2023: Rejection of ceasefire calls
In November 2023, Netanyahu rejected calls for a ceasefire in the war, asserting Israel's resolve and its intention to remain in Gaza as long as necessary.
December 2023: Criticism during meeting with released hostages
In December 2023, Netanyahu faced criticism from released Israeli hostages, with one accusing him of prioritizing politics over the return of the kidnapped. He also suggested supporting the "voluntary migration" of Palestinians from Gaza.
December 2023: Accusation of Genocide in Gaza
In December 2023, Netanyahu's government faced accusations of genocide in Gaza, culminating in the South Africa v. Israel case before the International Court of Justice.
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.
May 2024: ICC Prosecutor to apply for arrest warrant
In May 2024, Karim Khan, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, announced his intention to apply for an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on counts of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
July 2024: Addressed joint session of US Congress
In July 2024, Netanyahu addressed another joint session of the United States Congress amidst widespread protest, to solicit support for the Gaza war.
July 2024: Met with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago
In July 2024, Netanyahu met with Donald Trump in Florida where he criticized Kamala Harris for vowing to speak about atrocities in Gaza.
July 2024: Officially designated him a "terrorist"
In July 2024, Pakistan officially designated him a "terrorist", calling him responsible for the atrocities in Gaza.
October 2024: Invasion of Lebanon
In October 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an invasion of Lebanon.
October 2024: Drone attack on Netanyahu's residence
On October 19, 2024, a drone attack believed to have originated from Lebanon was made on Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea. Netanyahu was not present at the time.
November 2024: ICC Arrest Warrant
In November 2024, The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu along with others, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity as part of the ICC investigation in Palestine.
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.
2025: Shin Beth started an investigation
In 2025, Shin Beth started an investigation into the alleged ties between Netanyahu's advisors and Qatar.
