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 the Prime Minister of Israel since 2022. He previously held the same position from 1996-1999 and 2009-2021. Notably, he is the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israeli history, with over 17 years in office. His political career has been marked by significant influence on Israeli policy and international relations.

Sections (6)

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

May 1972: Rescue of Sabena Flight 571

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

1993: Victory in Likud Party Leadership Election

In 1993, Benjamin Netanyahu was victorious in the Likud party leadership election.

1994: Normalization of Relations with Jordan

In 1994, Jordan normalized relations with Israel. This is relevant as a point of comparison to the Abraham Accords in 2020.

March 1996: Netanyahu Gains in Polls

In March 1996, a wave of terror attacks significantly impacted the Israeli elections. Netanyahu closed the gap in the polls against Shimon Peres, leading to Netanyahu's victory in May. The attacks stopped after the election, due to Arafat's campaign against Hamas or because Netanyahu had already stopped the peace process.

May 1996: Victory in Israeli Legislative Election

On 29 May 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu won the 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 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister elected directly by popular vote.

2003: Minister of Finance

From 2003, Netanyahu served as Minister of Finance and introduced a major overhaul of the Israeli economy. He introduced a welfare to work program, privatization, reduced the size of the public sector, reformed the taxation system and passed laws against monopolies and cartels.

December 2005: Netanyahu Retakes Likud Leadership

On December 20, 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 widely credited with performing an 'economic miracle' as the Israeli economy boomed and unemployment fell. Direct investment in the Israeli economy had increased significantly. Critics labelled his economic views as Margaret Thatcher-inspired "popular capitalism".

August 2007: Reelection as Likud Chairman and Prime Minister Candidate

On August 14, 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: Likud Wins Second Highest Number of Seats

In the February 2009 Israeli legislative election, Likud won the second highest number of seats. On February 20, 2009, Netanyahu was designated by Israeli President Shimon Peres to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister.

March 2009: Approval of 32nd Government

On March 31, 2009, Netanyahu presented his cabinet for a Knesset vote of confidence. The 32nd Government was approved by a majority of 69 lawmakers to 45, and the members were sworn in.

July 2009: Government Approval Rating

In July 2009, a 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.

2013: Likud Victory in Elections

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

2014: Agreement to American Framework

In 2014, Netanyahu agreed to the American framework based on the green line and stated that Jewish settlers must be allowed the option of staying in their settlements under Palestinian rule.

May 2015: Netanyahu granted extension to form coalition government

In May 2015, after the election, President Rivlin granted Netanyahu an extension until 6 May to build a coalition, which he finalized with Jewish Home, United Torah Judaism, Kulanu, and Shas.

2015: Likud Victory in Elections

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

September 2020: Signing of Abraham Accords

In September 2020, the U.S-brokered Abraham Accords led to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement) and Bahrain (the Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement). These accords were signed by Bahrain's foreign minister, UAE's foreign minister and Netanyahu on September 15, 2020 at the White House.

October 2020: Normalization of Ties with Sudan

In October 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 Trump.

March 2021: Israel Leads in COVID-19 Vaccinations

By March 2021, during Benjamin Netanyahu's fifth term as prime minister, Israel had become the country with the highest vaccinated population per capita in the world against COVID-19.