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Conflict Over Palestine.
Britain relinquishes its mandate over Palestine to the United Nations (UN). The General Assembly recommends creation of separate Jewish and Palestinian states. Palestinian and surrounding Arab state leaders reject the plan; a majority of their Jewish counterparts accept it. -
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Arab-Israeli War Then Conflct Between Arabs And Israelis.
A combined invasion by Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, together with expeditionary forces from Iraq entered Palestine. The invading forces took control of the Arab areas and immediately attacked Israeli forces and several Jewish settlements. The 10 months of fighting, interrupted by several truce periods, took place mostly on the former territory of the British Mandate and for a short time also in the Sinai Peninsula and southern Lebanon. -
Conflict Over Palestine
Britain withdraws from Palestine; David Ben-Gurion proclaims the State of Israel. The Arab-Israeli War breaks out when armies from five Arab states (Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq) invade Palestine. A Palestinian exodus begins, as 700,000 flee or are removed from their homes. Israel annexes land under British-mandate Palestine. Jordan gains control over the West Bank.Control over Jerusalem is split between Israel and Jordan. -
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed.
The PLO is an organization founded in 1964 with the purpose of the "Liberation of Palestine" through armed struggle, with much of its violence aimed at Israeli civilians. It is recognized as the "Sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed observer status at the United Nations since 1974. -
UN Security Council Passes Resolution 242
UN Security Council passes Resolution 242, which calls for the “withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied” in 1967, and calls on Arab states to accept Israel’s right to “live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force.” Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Syria accept the resolution; the PLO rejects it until 1988. This resolution has become the basis for subsequent peace talks and diplomatic efforts to end the Arab-Israeli conflict. -
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The Six Day War
Six-Day War, also called June War or Third Arab-Israeli War, brief war that took place June 5–10, 1967, and was the third of the Arab-Israeli wars. Israel’s decisive victory included the capture of the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Old City of Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights; the status of these territories subsequently became a major point of contention in the Arab-Israeli conflict. -
The Yom Kipur War
"The Yom Kippur War," or "The October War," erupts. Egypt and Syria launch a surprise offensive against Israel in the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan Heights on the festival of Yom Kippur. Also known as Day of Atonement. The holiest day of the year for Jewish people. -
UN Passes Resolution 338
The UN passes Resolution 338, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the start of peace negotiations to establish "a just and durable peace in the Middle East." -
Camp David Accords
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign the Camp David Accords, in which Israel hands back the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. Arab states initiate a boycott against Egypt and expel it from the Arab League. In 1981, members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad assassinate Sadat. -
Destroying Beirut
The Israeli army,under the Defense Minister Ariel Sharon,invades Lebanon to block Hezbollah. A Shi’a Islamic militant group, from staging attacks on Israel’s northern border. The attack, which extends to Beirut, drives Yasser Arafat’s PLO out of Lebanon and into Tunisia. -
Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Recognizes The State Of Israel
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat recognizes the State of Israel. The Palestinian National Council declares the State of Palestine, renounces terrorism and votes to accept a “two-state” solution as outlined in the 1947 UN Partition Plan 181. Israel refuses to negotiate. -
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Gulf War
The Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991), codenamed Operation Desert Shield (2 August 1990 – 17 January 1991) for operations leading to the buildup of troops and defense of Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991) in its combat phase, was a war waged by coalition forces from 34 nations led by the United States against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. -
Peace Conference
Arab states (except Egypt) and Israel sit down, for the first time, for a peace conference in Madrid. It was an attempt by the international community to revive the Israeli–Palestinian peace process through negotiations, involving Israel and the Palestinians as well as Arab countries, including Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. -
Israeli And PLO Negotiators Begin Secret Talks In Oslo
Israeli and PLO negotiators begin secret talks in Oslo, Norway. Israel recognizes the PLO and grants them limited autonomy in exchange for peace; the PLO gives up claims to Israel’s territory as defined by borders before the 1967 war. On Sept. 13, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat sign a Declaration of Principles, sealing it with a historic handshake at the U.S. White House. -
Israel And The PLO Reach An Agreement For Withdrawal Of Israeli Forces
Israel and the PLO reach an agreement for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from most of the Gaza Strip and from the Palestinian town of Jericho in the West Bank. Talks almost end when a Jewish settler in Hebron fires on Palestinians praying at a mosque, killing 29 people. Arafat returns to Gaza; he is elected president of the new Palestinian National Authority in 1996.The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to Rabin, Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres. -
On September 24, Arafat And Rabin Sign The Oslo II Agreement
On September 24, Arafat and Rabin sign the Oslo II agreement, which divides the West bank into three zones and outlines the second stage of Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian lands.Rabin is assassinated on Nov. 4 by a Jewish religious extremist; Shimon Peres becomes prime minister. -
Hamas, An Islamist Political Group Opposed To The Oslo Peace Process, Stage A Series Of Suicide Bombings In Israel
Hamas, an Islamist political group opposed to the Oslo peace process, stage a series of suicide bombings in Israel. Shimon Peres loses to Benjamin Netanyahu in the election for prime minister; Netanyahu, who campaigned against the Oslo accords, lifts the freeze on building new settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. -
The Hebron Agreement
Prime Minister Netanyahu hands over 80 percent of Hebron to Palestinian rule.The Peace Process continued and on January 15, 1997, the Hebron negotiations were completed and a Protocol concerning the Redeployment in Hebron was signed by Israel and the Palestinians, specifying arrangements for the implementation of the remaining redeployment provisions of the Oslo II Interim Agreement in three phases, ending no later than late 1998. -
9/11 Terrorist Attacks
9/11 was the complete destruction of the World Trade Center, Twin Towers and severe damage to the Pentagon building. The U.S. labels the incidents terrorist actions and suspects Muslim extremists are responsible. The U.S. launches attacks in Afghanistan, eventually ousting the ruling Muslim fundamentalist regime known as the Taliban. The Taliban and its leader, Mullah Omar, are thought to sponsor the terrorist network Al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden. -
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War In Afghanistan
The war in Afghanistan is the period in which the United States invaded Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. Supported initially by close allies, they were later joined by NATO beginning in 2003. -
The Quartet Group Lauches "The Road Map"
After several Palestinian suicide bombings, Mr. Sharon launches Operation Defensive Shield, seizing areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, which Israel accuses of failing to stop militants' attacks. Most of the West Bank and Gaza comes under siege as Israeli forces close down the areas. The Quartet group (America, the European Union, Russia and the UN) launches the “road map”, a new phased plan for peace, including the creation of an INDEPENDENT Palestine. -
Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas Is Appointed Prime Minister;
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is appointed prime minister; in April, the U.S. publishes a road map for a negotiated Palestinian state. In June, Abbas calls for an end to the intifada, and Sharon declares support for “a democratic Palestinian state at peace with Israel.” Seven weeks later, violence resumes from both sides. -
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Iraq War
The Iraq War was a protracted armed conflict that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a United States-led coalition, which toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued for much of the next decade as an insurgency emerged to oppose the occupying forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government. An estimated 151,000 to 600,000 or more Iraqis were killed in the first 3–4 years of conflict. -
Sharon Announces The Plan To Withdraw 8,00 Settlers And Troops
Sharon announces the plan to withdraw 8,000 settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip and from small settlements in the northern West Bank. Arafat dies in November. Mahmoud Abbas succeeds him as chair of the PLO. -
Israel Withdraws From Parts Of Gaza
Abbas and Sharon announce a mutual ceasefire. Israel withdraws from parts of Gaza, despite protests from Israeli settlers. -
Sharon Suffers A Stroke And Falls In To Coma
Sharon suffers a stroke and falls into a coma;Ehud Olmert becomes Israel’s prime minister. Hamas militants capture Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli sports columnist and former soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces. Israeli forces enter the southern Gaza Strip to free Shalit, bombing several areas and seizing Hamas officials. A battle ensues between Palestinian and Israeli forces. -
Fatah And Hamas Meet In Mecca
In February, Fatah and Hamas meet in Mecca and agree to form a unity government; in July, Hamas forces take control of Gaza.U.S. President George Bush hosts a conference in November, aimed at relaunching peace talks. -
Ehud Olmert Resigns As Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert resigns as Prime Minister of Israel, following a corruption inquiry. Hamas agrees to a ceasefire with Israel in June, but clashes resume after six months. Israel tightens its blockade on the Gaza Strip. -
10 Month Settlement Freeze
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would impose a 10-month freeze on construction in West Bank settlements, saying the move was a bid to restart stalled peace talks with the Palestinians. -
Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Israeli naval forces carry out a raid on six ships of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. They killed nine activists. -
Gaza Freedom Flotilla Continues
Widespread international condemnation of and reaction to the raid followed, Israel–Turkey relations was strained, and Israel subsequently eased its blockade on the Gaza Strip. Intermittent attacks and fighting continue. -
Hamas And Israel Agree To Ceasefire
Hamas and Israel agree to a cease-fire, mediated by Egypt.In April, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon reiterates that all settlement activity is illegal, in response to renewed construction of Israeli settlement outposts. -
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U.S. Hosts Talk With Israeli And Palestinian Negotiators
In September, the U.S. hosts talk with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to revive the peace process. Ongoing negotiations, scheduled to last up to nine months, are expected to reach final status by mid-2014.
