Benjamin Netanyahu's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benjamin Netanyahu is a prominent Israeli politician, currently serving as Prime Minister since 2022, a position he also held from 1996-1999 and 2009-2021. He holds the record as Israel's longest-serving prime minister, with over 17 years in office. A significant figure in Israeli politics, his leadership has shaped the country's domestic and foreign policies for an extended period.

Sections (6)

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

May 1996: Wins the 1996 Israeli Legislative Election

On May 29, 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu won the 1996 Israeli legislative election, becoming the youngest person in the history of the position and the first Israeli prime minister to be born in the State of Israel.

1996: Election as Prime Minister

In the 1996 general election, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote, and also its youngest.

December 2005: Retook Likud Leadership

On 20 December 2005, Netanyahu retook the leadership of Likud, winning 47% of the primary vote.

2005: Credit for economic miracle

By the end of his tenure as Minister of Finance in 2005, Netanyahu was widely credited by commentators as having performed an 'economic miracle'.

August 2007: Reelected as Likud Chairman

On 14 August 2007, Netanyahu was reelected as chairman of the Likud and its candidate for prime minister with 73% of the vote.

February 2009: Designated Prime Minister

On 20 February 2009, Netanyahu was designated by Israeli President Shimon Peres to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister after the 2009 Israeli legislative election.

March 2009: Government Approved by Knesset

On 31 March 2009, Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset "Vote of Confidence". The 32nd Government was approved that day.

July 2009: High Approval Rating and Economic Boost

A July 2009 survey by Ha'aretz found that most Israelis supported the Netanyahu government, giving him a personal approval rating of about 49 percent. Netanyahu has lifted checkpoints in the West Bank in order to allow freedom of movement and a flow of imports; a step that resulted in an economic boost in the West Bank.

2009: Becomes Prime Minister Again

After the 2009 legislative election, Benjamin Netanyahu formed a coalition with other right-wing parties and became prime minister again.

November 2011: Defense budget and security cooperation with the U.S.

In November 2011, the Israeli General Staff concluded that the armed forces could not maintain battle readiness under Netanyahu's proposed cuts. Netanyahu then cut social programs and increased the defense budget. Also in November 2011, a U.S. State Department representative noted unprecedented security cooperation between Israel and the United States under Netanyahu and Obama.

December 2013: Knesset approves Business Concentration Law

In December 2013, the Knesset approved the Business Concentration Law, which intended to open Israel's highly concentrated economy to competition to lower consumer prices, reduce income inequality, and increase economic growth. The new law banned multi-tiered corporate holding structures and prohibited corporations from owning more than two tiers of publicly listed companies and from holding both financial and non-financial enterprises.

2013: Victory in elections

In 2013, Benjamin Netanyahu led Likud to victory in the elections.

2013: Netanyahu forms new coalition government

In 2013, despite his Likud Beiteinu coalition returning with fewer seats, Israeli president Shimon Peres charged Netanyahu with forming the Thirty-third government of Israel. The new coalition included the Yesh Atid, The Jewish Home and Hatnuah parties and excludes the ultra-Orthodox parties.

May 2015: Netanyahu forms coalition government

In May 2015, Netanyahu was granted an extension to build a coalition and successfully formed a coalition government with the Jewish Home, United Torah Judaism, Kulanu, and Shas parties.

2015: Victory in elections

In 2015, Benjamin Netanyahu led Likud to victory in the elections.

September 2020: Signing of the Abraham Accords at the White House

In September 2020, the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, were signed by Bahrain's foreign minister, UAE's foreign minister, and Netanyahu at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.

October 2020: Announcement of Sudan normalizing ties with Israel

On October 23, 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Sudan will start to normalize ties with Israel as part of the Trump administration-brokered Abraham Accords. Netanyahu thanked "President Trump and his team above all."