Here are the milestones of the governments led since 2009 by Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in the history of the state of Israel.
Return to power – On March 31, 2009, Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who headed the government between 1996 and 1999, is again prime minister, succeeding Ehud Olmert accused of corruption. The coalition government is strongly anchored to the right, with ultra-nationalist Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Israel Beiteinou party, responsible for foreign affairs.
In 2013, a new Netanyahu government, resulting from early legislative elections, brings together a majority composed of Likud, Israel Beiteinou, Jewish Home of Naftali Bennett – of the religious nationalist movement and close to the settlers – as well as the center-right.
Unity government fails – On March 2, 2020, Israelis again to the polls, as the legislative elections in April and September 2019 failed to separate Netanyahu from his main rival, Benny Gantz, leader of the white-blue centrist formation. At the end of March, Benny Gantz joined Netanyahu in an “emergency government” to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
On May 17, Israel formed a unity government. Netanyahu was to remain head of government for 18 months before passing the baton to Gantz for an equivalent period. But the government only survives a few months.
The diplomatic coup – Since August 2020, four Arab countries – United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco – normalize their relations with Israel, under the patronage of the United States led by Donald Trump. The latter has multiplied the gestures towards Israel: moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty on the Syrian Golan Heights and supporting the settlements.
Netanyahu, again – On 23 March 2021, new early legislative elections. Likud led the way, followed by Yesh Atid (“There is a future”) of centrist Yair Lapid. On April 6, Netanyahu is charged with forming a new ministerial team.
Another failure. On May 5, President Reuven Rivlin appoints opposition leader Yair Lapid.
Conflict with Hamas – On May 10, after several days of clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces in East Jerusalem, Hamas launched missile attacks from Gaza towards Israel. The Israeli army carried out devastating attacks on Gaza. Until the ceasefire went into effect on May 21, 254 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks, according to local authorities. In Israel, 12 people were killed by rocket fire.