Conflict in Isreal

Democratic Sate of Isreal

May 14, 1948

As the British left Palestine, David Ben-Gurion and other Jewish leaders declared the the birth of the democratic State of Isreal. Ben-Gurion later became Isreal's first prime minister.

Arab-Israeli War

May 15, 1948

The day after Israel declared it's independence, armies from the Arab countries of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, transjordan, and Iraq invaded Israel, launching the first Arab-Israeli war.

Cease-fire called

Dec 1, 1948

The war lasted from May to December 1948. In the end, the Arab armies were soundly defeated. Arab states negotiated cease-fire agreements with Israel, but they would not sign permanent peace treaties.

Seized territory

Dec 2, 1948

At the end of the war, Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip, and Transjordan controlled the West Bank.

Refugees get expelled and flee

Dec 3, 1948

By the end of the fighting, around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs had become refugees. They fled or were expelled from areas that Israel took controlof as well as from the general war and chaos. Meanwhile, many Jewish refugees fled or were expelled Arab countries and resettled in Israel.