Benjamin Netanyahu's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is an Israeli politician and diplomat currently serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2022. He previously held the same office 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

May 1972: Involved in the rescue of the hijacked Sabena Flight 571

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

1996: Became First Directly-Elected Prime Minister

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

1996: Netanyahu's Victory in the 1996 Election

In 1996, the failure to prevent Deif's bombing campaign was considered a factor that led to the defeat of Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Israeli Labor Party in the 1996 Israeli general election, resulting in the victory of Netanyahu's Likud party.

January 1997: Signing of the Hebron Protocol

In January 1997, specifically on the 14th, talks between Netanyahu and Arafat culminated in the signing of the Hebron Protocol.

November 1998: Approval of the Wye River Memorandum

In November 1998, specifically on the 17th, Israel's Knesset approved the Wye River Memorandum by a vote of 75-19. The Wye River Memorandum detailed the steps to be taken by the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to implement the earlier Interim Agreement of 1995.

December 2005: Netanyahu Retakes Likud Leadership

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

2005: End of Tenure as Minister of Finance

By the end of his tenure as Minister of Finance in 2005, Netanyahu was credited with an 'economic miracle', with direct investment in the Israeli economy increasing significantly.

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.

March 2009: Netanyahu Presents Cabinet, Forms Government

In March 2009, specifically on the 31st, Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset "Vote of Confidence", forming the 32nd Government which was approved by a majority of 69 lawmakers to 45.

July 2009: Government Successes and Approval Rating

In July 2009, three months after starting his term, Netanyahu highlighted his cabinet's achievements, including establishing a national unity government and a broad consensus for a "two-state solution." A Ha'aretz survey in July 2009 showed most Israelis supported his government, giving him a 49 percent approval rating. He also lifted checkpoints in the West Bank, boosting its economy. Netanyahu welcomed the Arab Peace Initiative and lauded Bahrain's Crown Prince's call to normalize relations with Israel.

November 2011: Security Cooperation with the U.S.

According to a U.S. State Department representative, in November 2011, under the leadership of Netanyahu and Obama, Israel and the United States enjoyed unprecedented security cooperation.

December 2013: Approval of the Business Concentration Law

In December 2013, the Knesset approved the Business Concentration Law, aimed at opening Israel's concentrated economy to competition, lowering consumer prices, reducing income inequality, and increasing economic growth. Netanyahu's government pushed forward this bill to implement the recommendations of the Concentration Committee.

May 2015: Returns as Prime Minister After Election

In May 2015, following the election, Netanyahu returned as prime minister, with his party Likud leading with 30 mandates. He formed a coalition government just before the deadline after being granted an extension by President Rivlin.

February 2017: First Serving Prime Minister to Visit Australia

In February 2017, Netanyahu became the first serving prime minister of Israel to visit Australia, accompanied by his wife and a business delegation. During the three-day visit, bilateral agreements were scheduled to be signed with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

September 2020: Signing of the Abraham Accords

On 15 September 2020, Netanyahu, along with Bahrain's foreign minister and the UAE's foreign minister, signed the Abraham Accords at the White House in Washington, D.C., marking the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

October 2020: Sudan to Normalize Ties with Israel

On 23 October 2020, U.S. president Trump announced that Sudan would start to normalize ties with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu thanked Trump and his team for changing history.

March 2021: Israel Achieves Highest Vaccination Rate

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