Benjamin Netanyahu's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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 this office for two previous terms: 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. He has been a central figure in Israeli politics for over two decades, shaping the country's policies and international relations.

Sections (6)

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

1993: Elected as chair of Likud

In 1993, Benjamin Netanyahu rose to prominence after his election as chair of Likud, becoming leader of the opposition.

1993: Victorious in Likud party leadership election

In 1993, the Likud party held a party leadership election, and Netanyahu was victorious.

May 1996: Won the Israeli legislative election

Benjamin Netanyahu won the 1996 Israeli legislative election, which took place on May 29, 1996 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: Became first directly elected Israeli Prime Minister

In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister to be elected directly by popular vote.

1996: First term as Prime Minister

In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu began his first term as Prime Minister of Israel.

1996: Netanyahu's Likud party victory in the Israeli general election

In 1996, the bombing campaign and the Israeli intelligence services failure to prevent it, led to the defeat of Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party in the Israeli general election and victory of the Likud party of Netanyahu, who opposed the Oslo Accords.

2003: Appointment as Finance Minister

From 2003 to 2005, Benjamin Netanyahu served as finance minister, introducing a welfare to work program, a program of privatization, reduced the public sector, streamlined taxation, and passed laws against monopolies and cartels to increase competition.

December 2005: Netanyahu retakes Likud leadership

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

August 2007: Netanyahu reelected as Likud chairman

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

February 2009: Netanyahu designated as Prime Minister

In February 2009, Netanyahu was designated by Israeli President Shimon Peres to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister, and began his negotiations to form a coalition government.

March 2009: Netanyahu's government approved by Knesset

In March 2009 Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset "Vote of Confidence" on 31 March 2009. The 32nd Government was approved that day by a majority of 69 lawmakers to 45 and the members were sworn in.

July 2009: Government Approval and Economic Measures

In July 2009, a survey indicated that most Israelis supported Netanyahu's government, giving him an approval rating of 49 percent. Also in July 2009, Netanyahu lifted checkpoints in the West Bank to allow free movement and flow of imports, resulting in an economic boost.

2009: Became Prime Minister Again

After the 2009 legislative election, Netanyahu formed a coalition and became prime minister again.

2010: Formation of the Concentration Committee

In 2010, Netanyahu formed the Concentration Committee, which resulted in the Business Concentration Law of 2013.

July 2013: Tenders for Construction of Private Ports

In July 2013, Netanyahu issued tenders for the construction of private ports in Haifa and Ashdod to break what he viewed as the monopoly held by workers of the Israel Port Authority, so as to lower consumer prices and increase exports.

December 2013: Knesset Approval of the 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.

May 2015: Election Results and Coalition Formation

In the 2015 election, Netanyahu's Likud party led the elections with 30 mandates. President Rivlin granted Netanyahu an extension until 6 May 2015 to build a coalition. He formed a coalition government within two hours of the midnight 6 May deadline, with the Likud party forming the coalition with Jewish Home, United Torah Judaism, Kulanu, and Shas.

September 2020: Signing of Abraham Accords

In September 2020, the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which led to normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, were signed by Bahrain's foreign minister, UAE's foreign minister, and Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

October 2020: Normalization of Ties Between Sudan and Israel

In October 2020, President Trump announced that Sudan would start to normalize ties with Israel. Netanyahu thanked Trump, stating that together they are changing history, despite skepticism.

March 2021: Israel Achieves High Vaccination Rate

By March 2021, Israel became the country with the highest vaccinated population per capita in the world against COVID-19.

2022: Returned to premiership

After the 2022 election, Netanyahu returned to the premiership.

December 2025: Israel Recognizes Somaliland

In December 2025, under Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state.