Establishment of the State of Israel
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, declared the establishment of the State of Israel. This marked the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the beginning of a new nation.
1948
1949
Israel Joins the United Nations
In May 1949, Israel was admitted to the United Nations as its 59th member, gaining international recognition and a platform to participate in global diplomacy.
1967
Six-Day War
In June 1967, Israel fought the Six-Day War against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The war resulted in a significant territorial expansion for Israel, including the capture of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.
1973
Yom Kippur War
On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The war lasted for 19 days and ended with a ceasefire, leading to subsequent peace negotiations.
1979
Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty
On March 26, 1979, Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty, making Egypt the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel. The treaty was brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
1982
Operation Peace for Galilee
In June 1982, Israel launched Operation Peace for Galilee, an invasion of southern Lebanon aimed at expelling the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the region.
1993
Oslo Accords
In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Oslo Accords, a set of agreements aimed at achieving a peace treaty and establishing a framework for Palestinian self-governance.
1994
Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
On October 26, 1994, Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty, normalizing relations between the two countries. The treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordanian King Hussein.
2000
Second Intifada
The Second Intifada, a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence, began in September 2000 following the collapse of peace talks and a visit by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount.
2005
Israel's Disengagement from Gaza
In August 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating all Israeli settlers and military presence from the area.
2006
Second Lebanon War
In July 2006, Israel fought the Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group. The conflict lasted 34 days and resulted in significant casualties and destruction on both sides.
2008
Operation Cast Lead
In December 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, a military campaign in the Gaza Strip aimed at stopping rocket fire from Hamas and other militant groups.
2011
Social Justice Protests
In the summer of 2011, Israel experienced widespread social justice protests, with citizens demanding economic reforms, affordable housing, and social equality.
2020
Abraham Accords
In 2020, Israel signed the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. This marked a significant step towards peace and cooperation in the Middle East.
2023
Judicial Reforms
In 2023, Israel's government proposed significant judicial reforms, leading to widespread protests and debates about the balance of power within the country's democratic institutions.
