Conflict in Israel

Six-Day War

1967

Israel launched air stirkes against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, destroying most of their airplanes on the ground. Israeli troops then moved in rapidly and defeated Arab forces. Israel took control of the Golan Heights, Siani Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

Yom Kippur War

1973

Determined to win their territory back Egypt and Syria launched a suprise attack against Israel. Israel's government was not fully prepared for the attack and needed military support from the United States. With U.S. support, Israeli forces regrouped and pushed back the Egyptian and Syrian armies. After weeks of fighting, both sides agreed to a cease-fire.

Oil Embargo

1973

During the war, Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo, or a 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

1978

U.S. president Jimmy Carter invited Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. There, Sadat and Begin reached and agreement known as the Camp David Accords. Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel returned the Siani Peninsula to Egypt. The treaty ended 30 years of hostility between Egypt and Israel.

Intifada

1987

Palestinian resentment of Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza boiled over into a rebellion called the intifada. Palestinian youths batteled Israeli troops in widespread street violence. Israel responded with strong military and police resistance, but fighting continued until the early 1990s. PLO leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin negotiated the Oslo accords to end the violence.