Michael Eitan was born in 1944 in Tel Aviv. He studied law at Tel Aviv University and served as an officer in the IDF. Active in public affairs, Eitan has served as chairman of the Herut Young Guard and as a member of the Herut Central Committee, as well as founder and director of the Kochav Yair settlement project and initiator of the "Shivat Kochavim" community settlement project.
He has been a Member of Knesset since 1984, serving on the Finance Committee, the Economic Affairs Committee, the Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, the State Control Committee, the Committee on Education and Culture, the House Committee, the Science and Technology Committee, and has chaired the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.
From 1992-96, he was Head of the Opposition Bloc in the Knesset and substitute head of the Likud Knesset faction. As a Member of the 14th Knesset (1996-97), as Chairman of the Knesset Sub-committee on Communication and Information he initiated the Knesset Internet site. He also served as head of the Likud-Gesher-Tsomet Knesset faction and the coalition.
Michael Eitan served as Minister of Science from July 1997 until July 1998, and until July 1999, as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. In March 2009 he was appointed Minister of Improvement of Government Services.
Michael Eitan is married and the father of three.