27 Facts About Benny Begin

Benny Begin is the son of former Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin.

Benny Begin was born in Jerusalem to Aliza and Menachem Begin, who would later become Prime Minister of Israel.

Benny Begin returned to active service between 1975 and 1976.

Benny Begin studied Geology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received his MSc in the field.

Benny Begin began his political career in the mid-1980s at the Jerusalem branch of the Herut movement and at the national conference of the movement.

Benny Begin won third place and was placed 13th on the Likud list.

Benny Begin was elected to the 12th Knesset as a member of Likud and served on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, and the Ethics Committee.

Benny Begin was re-elected to the 13th Knesset in 1992, placed seventh on the Likud list, and continued to serve on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

In March 1993, during the 1993 Likud leadership election, the first open election for the leadership of Likud, Benny Begin ran against Benjamin Netanyahu, David Levy, and Moshe Katsav.

Benny Begin was one of the prominent opponents of the Oslo Accords, consistently arguing that it was a deception by Yasser Arafat.

On 10 January 1997, despite his closeness to Roni Bar-On, Benny Begin was the only minister to vote against his appointment as Attorney General of Israel, arguing that he was unfit for the position.

On 16 January 1997, following the government's decision to approve the Hebron Protocol, Benny Begin resigned from the government.

Benny Begin further stated that if there was another withdrawal as part of the second stage of the Hebron agreement, he would work to topple the government.

On 2 November 2008, Benny Begin informed the Minister of National Infrastructures, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, that he was resigning from his position at the Geological Survey, following his decision to return to political life and run for a spot on the Likud list for the 18th Knesset.

On 4 November 2008, Benny Begin held a joint press conference with Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, formally announcing his candidacy for the Likud primaries for the 18th Knesset.

Benny Begin was elected to the 18th Knesset and appointed Minister Without Portfolio in the 32nd Government of Israel, serving as a member of the security cabinet and the "Octet" under Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Benny Begin supported the settlement freeze in Judea and Samaria, which the government decided on under US pressure.

In January 2015, Benny Begin resumed activity in the Likud party and was elected to the 20th Knesset after being reserved for the 11th spot on the Likud list by party leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

Benny Begin was the senior Knesset member in the 20th Knesset.

Benny Begin served on the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee and the Committee for the Advancement of Women and Gender Equality.

Benny Begin was a member of the Interior and Environmental Protection Committee but was removed in November 2017 due to his opposition to a bill proposed by committee chairman Dudi Amsalem to prohibit the police from publishing recommendations regarding indictments for public officials, including a prime minister already under investigation.

Benny Begin strongly opposed the Settlement Regulation Law, arguing that it contradicted international law, would damage Israel's standing globally, and endanger settlements in Judea and Samaria.

Benny Begin was one of two coalition members who voted against the law.

On 21 January 2021, ahead of the elections for the 24th Knesset, Benny Begin joined the New Hope party led by Gideon Sa'ar.

Benny Begin was placed sixth on its list and was elected to the Knesset.

Ahead of the elections for the 25th Knesset, Benny Begin announced his retirement from political life.

Benny Begin is married to Ruth, whom he met during his military service, and they have six children.