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Six Day War
Israel launched air strikes against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, destroying most of their airplanes on ground. Israel then took control of the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem and gained control of land in the West Bank and Gaza with a large Palestinian population. -
Yom Kippur War
Egypt and Syria were determined to win their territory back and launched a surprise attack against Israel. During the war, Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo, or refusal to sell oil, to countries supporting Israel, including the United States. The price of oil around the world rose dramatically as a result. -
Camp David Accords
Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a declaration that Egypt wanted peace with Israel. To help facilitate this historic peace, Carter invited Sadat and Begin to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. The treaty ended 30 years of hostility between Egypt and Israel. -
The First Intifada
Palestinian resentment of Israeli occupation boiled over into a rebellion. Palestinian youths battled Israeli troops in widespread street violence. Israel responded with military and police resistance, but the fighting still continued. -
The Second Intifada
This time Palestinian youths were joined by Palestinian security forces with guns. Hamas lanuched suicide bombers into Israel to attack civilians. Israelis opposed by sending troops with tanks, fighter jets, and helicopter gunships into West Bank and Gaza.
