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War of Independence.
The British officially withdraw from Palestine, and the Jewish National Council proclaims the State of Israel. Neighboring Arab nations, which rejected the partition of Palestine, immediately invade, intent on crushing the newly declared State of Israel. -
Period: to
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
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Egypt takes control of the Suez Canal.
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Israel launches attack on Egypt's Sinai peninsula and drives toward Suez Canal.
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A cease-fire, forced by U.S. pressure, stops British, French, and Israeli advance.
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air strikes
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 -
further negotiations
The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 242, the "land for peace" formula, which has been the starting point for further negotiations -
despirate hopes for peace
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat makes a historic visit to Jerusalem to discuss a peace agreement and address the Knesset. The visit raises worldwide hopes for peace -
a stronger push for peace
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 -
so close, yet so far
Prime Minister Rabin is slain by a Jewish extremist, jeopardizing the tentative progress toward peace. -
Benjamin Netanyahu is elected prime minister of Israel by a razor-thin margin
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the last push for peace.
Labor Party leader Ehud Barak is elected prime minister and announces plans to pursue peace with the Palestinians, establish relations with Syria, and end the war in southern Lebanon with Hezbollah guerrillas