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Palestine Gains Independence from Britain, State of Israel is proclaimed
Palestine gained their independence from Britain, with British forces withdrawing as the Jewish National Council proclaims the State of Israel. After over 1,000,000 Jewish refugees fled to Israel from 1948-1970. Israel was established so Jewish people would have a place to live without fear of the Holocaust happening again; a country of peace. -
Neighboring Arab nations attempt to destroy the new State.
The conflict is known as the War of Independence. Fighting contunues until 1949, with militias forming on both sides. -
Armstice agreements
Armstice agreements were formed between Israel and Egypt (Feb. 24), Lebanon (March 23), Jordan (April 3), and Syria (July 20), but no countries signed peace treaties with Israel. Israel increased their borders by about 50%, includingt taking western Galilee, a broad corridor through central Palestine to Jerusalem, and part of modern Jerusalem. The new border is called the Green Line. -
Israel Is recognized by the UN
Israel's government, with Chaim Weizmann as president and David Ben-Gurion as prime minister, is admitted to the UN. -
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed. The PLO fought to liberate Palestine through armed struggle. It was recognized as an observer of the UN in 1974. The United States and Israel regarded the PLO as a terrorist organization until the Madrid Conference in 1991, when it was recognized as "rejecting violence and terrorism" -
The Arab-Israeli War of 1967 Begins
The Arab-Israeli War of 1967 begins as Israel launches an air attack on Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in response to the request by Egyptian president Nasser that the UN withdraw its forces from Egyptian territory and the buildup of Arab armies along Israel's borders. After 6 days, a cease-fire is declared and Israel occupies the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and West Bank. This is known as the 6 day war. -
The Land For Peace Formula
On November 22nd, the UN Security Council adopted the "Land for Peace" formula, which reads ".. the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:
(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;
(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State.." -
The War of Attrition
Following the 6 day war, no serious diplomatic efforts tried to resolve the issues at the heart of the Arab–Israeli conflict. In September 1967, the Arab states formulated the "three nos" policy, barring peace, recognition or negotiations with Israel. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser believed that only military initiative would compel Israel or the international community to facilitate a full Israeli withdrawal from Sinai, and hostilities soon resumed along the Suez Canal. -
Attacks on Yom Kippur
Syria and Egypt unleashed a surprise attack on Israeli forces on the holiest day of the Hebrew calendar and last day of Ramadan. Jordan, Iraq, and other Arab nations joined in or supported the Arab war effort. Many Israeli prisoners of war were tortured and killed by Egypt and Syria while in captivity. -
Guerilla Attacks
In response to Palestinian guerrillas staging raids on Israel from Lebanese territory, Israeli troops cross into Lebanon, but the troops were forced to withdraw in June after the UN Security Council made a peacekeeping force in th area. -
Control of Sinai is returned to Egyptian control
Israel returned the control of Sinai to the control of the Egyptians, beginning a fragile level of peace in the region. -
Peace is shattered
Only a short time later, the fragile peace that had been created in the area was shattered when Israelis launch a massive assault on southern Lebanon, where the PLO was set up. The PLO withdrew its troops from Lebanon in August of that year. -
Intifada
Palestinians living on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip began to riot. These riots are known as the intifada (uprising), against Israeli rule. The violence intensified as Israeli police cracked down and Palestinians retaliated. More than 20,000 people were killed in the fighting. -
The Madrid Conference
The U.S. and Soviet Union organized the Madrid Conference, in which Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Syrian, and Palestinian leaders met to establish a framework for peace negotiations. This was a ground-breaking conference that actually got both sides talking to each other. This conference is the true beginning of the peace process between Palestine and Israel. -
Declaration of Principles
Yasir Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin sign the historic "Declaration of Principles." Arafat recognized the right of the State of Israel to "exist in peace and security," and Israel recognized the PLO and granted it limited autonomy.
