1914
Palestine is controlled by the Ottoman Empire, but is defeated in World War I, giving control of Palestine to the United Kingdom.
1917
Great Britain issues the Balfour Declaration, expressing support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine after World War I (1914-1918).
1918-1948
Era of British rule of Israel.
1920
Palestine becomes a mandated territory of Britain.
1929
Hebron Jews are massacred by Arab militants.
1930’s
Fleeing Nazi persecution, large numbers of European Jews immigrate to Palestine.
1939-1945
Over six million Jews are systematically murdered during the Holocaust in Europe.
1944
Jews of Palestine form the Jewish Brigade, fighting valiantly alongside the Allied armies in Italy.
1947
The United Nations divides Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states. Sporadic fighting breaks out between Jewish groups favoring the plan and the Arab groups opposed to it.
1948
Israel’s War of Independence. Arabs revolt against the British. The United Nations grants statehood to Israel. Israel officially becomes an independent state on May 14. On May 15, armies from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Transjordan (now Jordan) immediately invade Israel (the first Arab-Israeli War) in an attempt to destroy the Jewish state. Israel wins.
1948-1958
Hundreds of thousands of Jews return to Israel from such places as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Egypt.
1949
Israel defeats Arab invaders and acquires much of Arab Palestine, including West Jerusalem and the northern city of Akko. Many border disputes result.
1956
After Egypt nationalizes the Suez Canal (and cut off Israel’s use of it), Israel (along with Britain and France) attacks Egypt, and initiates the second Arab-Israeli war. The United Nations forces withdrawal.
1967
The Six-Day War. Fearing an Arab invasion, Israel attacks and defeats the forces of its Arab neighbors, including Jordan and Syria. Israel gains complete control of Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, the Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank.
1972
Palestinian terrorists kill eleven Israeli athletes at the Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.
1973
Egypt and Syria jointly attack Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, and begin the Yom Kippur War. Iraq and other Arabs states also lend support and join in the attack. After initial setbacks, Israeli forces repulse the invasion and capture additional Syrian territory. Thousands of Palestinians flee to neighboring Arab nations.
1978
In what becomes known as “Camp David I”, Egyptian & Israeli leaders meet with Carter. Israel and Egypt sign the Camp David Accords – an agreement to end the dispute between the two countries.
1979
Israel and Egypt sign a peace treaty. Israel agrees to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula.
1982
Israeli forces mount a large invasion of Lebanon in retaliation for attacks on northern Israel by the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Israel withdraws from the Sinai Peninsula and the PLO withdraws from Lebanon.
1985
In retaliatory raids against the PLO, Israel bombs Beirut and Southern Lebanon. After 10 days of bombardment, the PLO agrees to leave Beirut.
1987
Palestinians in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip begin a series of uprisings (known as the “Intifada”) against Israeli rule.
1988
King Hussein of Jordan cedes to the PLO all territorial claims to the West Bank.
1993
The Oslo I Agreement. Israel and the PLO negotiate in Norway Israel and the PLO sign a historic peace treaty to work to end their conflicts, paving the way for limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under a new ruling body called the “Palestinian Authority” (PA).
1994
As part of the 1993 Oslo I Agreement, Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Jericho and come under the administration of the PA. Leaders of Israel and Jordan sign a peace treaty.
1995
Oslo II negotiations take place in Norway. Israel and the PLO sign a second peace agreement, calling for further withdrawals from the West Bank and extending limited Palestinian self-rule to many Palestinian areas of the West Bank. On November 4, 1995, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by an Israeli opposed to the peace agreements, destroying hope for further negotiations.
1996
Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel increases. The election of a conservative government and continued Palestinian terrorist activity stall further peace agreements.
2000
Camp David II. Arafat & Israeli Barak meet with Clinton, but his administration fails in attempts to assist in reaching peace agreements.
2001
Talks regarding peace occur in Taba, Egypt. Both sides meet to consider a Palestinian state. Arabs attack NY World Trade center buildings and the Pentagon, using commercial airliners as “kamikaze” bombs. President Bush vows to seek out and punish the perpetrators – and to treat those who protect them as equally guilty. Arab suicide-bombers become epidemic. The war on terrorism escalates.
2006
Hezbollah war in Lebanon; massive rocket attacks target Israeli civilians.
2009
Benjamin Netanyahu becomes Prime Minister of Israel. This talented and gifted man has done more to help his people than any Jewish leader in Israel’s history.
2011
The Israeli embassy in Cairo is attacked by more than 3,000 Egyptian protesters.
2014
“Operation Protective Edge”. Israel reacts militarily after large rockets are launched from the Gaza Strip targeting major Israeli cities – including Jerusalem.
2017
President Trump promises to do everything in his power to enhance America’s relationship with Israel.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalm. 122:6)