-
The Balfour Declaration
In the Balfour Declaration, Britain expresses its support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”, though without prejudicing its non-Jewish communities. -
Britain dominating
Britain takes over the administration of Palestine, Transjordan (later renamed Jordan) and Mesopotamia (Iraq), following the defeat of the Ottoman empire in the first world war. -
Britain starts passing mandates
Britain cedes the Golan Heights from Palestine to French-run Syria. Britain's official mandate over Palestine, from the League of Nations, comes into effect. -
Arab revolt
A three-year Arab revolt begins, amid frustration at rising Jewish immigration and continued colonial rule. -
Britain makes more laws
Britain imposes restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine. -
America To the rescue of the Jews
At the end of the second world war, America urges Britain to lift its restrictions on Jewish refugees settling in Palestine but Britain resists this pressure. -
Bombing in a hotel
The King David Hotel, Britain's military headquarters in Jerusalem, is bombed by a Jewish militant group, Irgun. -
Arabs say NO
Britain asks the recently formed United Nations to take over the Palestine problem. The UN proposes partition. The Arabs reject this. -
Arabs invade Israel
The state of Israel is proclaimed. Neighbouring Arab states invade it. Israel's nascent defence forces repel them. Around 700,000 Arabs flee. Though Egypt ends up occupying the Gaza strip and Transjordan takes East Jerusalem and the West Bank, Israel ends up bigger than the UN partition plan had proposed. -
Period: to
Arab-Israeli Conflict
The Arab–Israeli conflict refers to the political tension, military conflicts and disputes between a number of Arab countries and Israel. -
Egypt closes the Suez Canal
Egypt nationalises the Suez Canal and closes off access to the Israeli port of Eilat. Israel, France and Britain form a secret pact to attack Egypt. Under American pressure, they are forced to withdraw. -
Arabs Create the PLO
Arab leaders create the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), whose founding charter calls for a Palestinian Arab state encompassing the whole of British Mandate Palestine and declares the establishment of Israel “illegal and null and void”. -
Egypt attacks
After Egypt masses its troops in the Sinai desert and blockades Eilat, the six-day war is launched and won by Israel. Sinai and the Gaza strip are taken from Egypt; the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan; and the Golan Heights from Syria. The PLO moves to Jordan. -
America to the rescue
America launches the Rogers plan, which reiterates Resolution 242's land-for-peace formula. Both sides reject it. -
Bus bombing
After terrorist attacks on buses in northern Israel, its forces launch an incursion into Lebanon to attack PLO bases. America's President Jimmy Carter hosts the Camp David talks between Israel and Egypt. -
Attack Lebanon
Israel invades Lebanon -
Suicide Bomber
A suicide bomber kills 241 American marines, sailors and soldiers in their base in Beirut. -
Operation Defensive shield
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. -
Period: to
Iraqi 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.
