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Jan 1, 1310
Moses and Jews arrive at Promised Land (Israel including West Bank)
(1310 BC) Jews arrive at Promised Land (which includes West Bank) after 40 years in desert with Moses following Exodus from Egypt. -
Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael
(1900 BC) Abraham, the father of three religions (Judaism, Islam, and Christianity) is born in Mesopotamia (present day Iraq). Abraham's first son is Ishmael who is the father of the Arabs. Abraham's second son is Isaac, whose descendants are jews. Conflict in The West Bank and other disputed territories goes back to Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael. -
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Zionism
Zionism Hundreds of Thousands of Jews return to Israel including West Bank (area now called Palestine). Concerned Arabs revolt against British who control Palestine. Revolt by Arabs put down by British with Jewish assistance. Hitler causes more European Jews to flee to Palestine. -
Israel is Declared an Independent Country
The United States and the United Nations support Israel. Israel does not include the West Bank. The UN expected the West Bank to become the new Arab state of Palestine. 700,000 Palestinian Arabs leave Israel and about 900,000 Jews leave other Arab countries and move to Israel. Arab countries attack Israel but are defeated by Israel during the Arab-Israel war. -
Israel Takes The West Bank
Israel Takes The West Bank Israel wins a Six Day War against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria during which Israel seizes the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights. Israel offers to return captured land if Arab countries will accept Israel and create a peace agreement. -
Romans drive Jews from Israel
(70 AD) Romans destroy temple in Jerusalem and drive Jews out of their homeland including West Bank. This begins Jewish Diaspora and Jews will not return to homeland for 1800 years. -
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War almost destroys Israel, with surprise attack by Egypt and Syria. The West Bank was a buffer during the attack. Appreciation of the West Bank's strategic importance makes Jews less willing to give up the West Bank. -
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First Intifada
First Intifada (PLO)Palestinians living in Gaza Strip and the West Bank begin terrorist attacks on Jewish civilians. The PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) encouraged Palestinian terrorists giving them weapons. Intifada ends with Oslo Peace Accords 1993 between Israel and PLO. -
Jewish settlers removed from West Bank
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon leads a process to remove Israeli settlements from Gaza Strip and the West Bank so that Palestinians in those areas can govern themselves. This fulfills some requirements of Oslo Peace Accords, but is controversial because Israeli soldiers force Jewish settlers from their homes. -
Palestinian Governments
Conflict between Hamas and Fatah Hamas militants were elected by Palestinians in 2006 to govern the Palestinian areas. This election put Hamas in charge over the PLO. Hamas militants began terrorist attacks on the PLO members in Gaza in June, 2007. Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, dissolved the Hamas government. As a result there are two Palestinian governments: Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
