State of Israel

Flag Description: white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

 Israel has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world, even with some of its former foes. The State of Israel was declared in 1948, after Britain withdrew from its mandate of Palestine. The UN proposed partitioning the area into Arab and Jewish states, and Arab armies that rejected the UN plan were defeated. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel fought wars against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973, followed by peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed a number of interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020.

The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements – brokered by the US – with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and reached an agreement with Sudan in early 2021.

Israel Timeline

17th-6th C. BCE	BIBLICAL TIMES
(BCE - Before the Common Era)
c.17th century Drawings by Noam Nadav	Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - patriarchs of the Jewish people and bearers of a belief in one God - settle in the Land of Israel. Famine forces Israelites to migrate to Egypt.
c.13th century	Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of wandering in the desert. Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Mount Sinai.
13th-12th centuries	Israelites settle in the Land of Israel
c.1020	Jewish monarchy established; Saul, first king.
c.1000	Jerusalem made capital of David's kingdom.
c.960	First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in Jerusalem by King Solomon.
c. 930	Divided kingdom: Judah and Israel
722-720	Israel crushed by Assyrians; 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes).
586	Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled.
THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD
538-142	Persian and Hellenistic periods
538-515	Many Jews return from Babylonia; Temple rebuilt.
332	Land conquered by Alexander the Great; Hellenistic rule.
166-160	Maccabean (Hasmonean) revolt against restrictions on practice of Judaism and desecration of the Temple
142-129	Jewish autonomy under Hasmoneans.
129-63	Jewish independence under Hasmonean monarchy.
63	Jerusalem captured by Roman general, Pompey.
63 BCE-313 CE	Roman rule
63-4 BCE	Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel; Temple in Jerusalem refurbished
(CE - The Common Era)
c. 20-33	Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth
66	Jewish revolt against the Romans
70	Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple.
73	Last stand of Jews at Masada.
132-135	Bar Kokhba uprising against Rome.
c. 210	Codification of Jewish oral law (Mishna) completed.
FOREIGN DOMINATION
313-636	Byzantine rule
c. 390	Commentary on the Mishna (Jerusalem Talmud) completed.
614	Persian invasion
636-1099	Arab rule
691	On site of First and Second Temples in Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock built by Caliph Abd el-Malik.
1099-1291	Crusader domination (Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem)
1291-1516	Mamluk rule
1517-1917	Ottoman rule
1564	Code of Jewish law (Shulhan Arukh) published.
1860	First neighborhood built outside walls of Jerusalem's Old City.
1882-1903	First Aliya (large-scale immigration), mainly from Russia.
1897	First Zionist Congress convened by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland; Zionist Organization founded.
1904-14	Second Aliya, mainly from Russia and Poland.
1909	First kibbutz, Degania, and first modern all-Jewish city, Tel Aviv, founded.
1917	400 years of Ottoman rule ended by British conquest; British Foreign Minister Balfour pledges support for establishment of a "Jewish national home in Palestine"
1918-48	British rule
1919-23	Third Aliya, mainly from Russia
1920	Histadrut (General Federation of Labor) and Haganah (Jewish defense organization) founded. Vaad Leumi (National Council) set up by Jewish community (Yishuv) to conduct its affairs.
1921	First moshav (cooperative village), Nahalal, founded.
1922	Britain granted Mandate for Palestine (Land of Israel) by League of Nations; Transjordan set up on three-fourths of the area, leaving one fourth for the Jewish national home. Jewish Agency representing Jewish community vis-a-vis Mandate authorities set up.
1924	Technion, first institute of technology, founded in Haifa.
1924-32	Fourth Aliya, mainly from Poland.
1925	Hebrew University of Jerusalem opened on Mount Scopus.
1929	Hebron Jews massacred by Arab terrorists.
1931	Etzel, Jewish underground organization, founded.
1933-39	Fifth Aliya, mainly from Germany.
1936-39	Anti-Jewish riots instigated by Arab terrorists.
1939	Jewish immigration severely limited by British White Paper.
1939-45	World War II; Holocaust in Europe.
1941	Lehi underground movement formed; Palmach, strike force of Haganah, set up.
1944	Jewish Brigade formed as part of British forces.
1947	UN proposes the establishment of Arab and Jewish statesin the Land.
STATE OF ISRAEL
1948	End of British Mandate (14 May) State of Israel proclaimed (14 May). Israel invaded by five Arab states (15 May). Israel Defense Forces (IDF) established. War of Independence (May 1948-July 1949).
1949	Armistice agreements signed with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. Jerusalem divided under Israeli and Jordanian rule. First Knesset (parliament) elected. Israel admitted to United Nations as 59th member.
1948-52	Mass immigration from Europe and Arab countries.
1956	Sinai Campaign
1962	Adolf Eichmann tried and executed in Israel for his part in the Holocaust.
1964	National Water Carrier completed, bringing water from Lake Kinneret in the north to the semi-arid south.
1967	Six-Day War; Jerusalem reunited.
1968-70	Egypt's War of Attrition against Israel
1973	Yom Kippur War
1975	Israel becomes an associate member of the European Common Market.
1977	Likud forms government after Knesset elections, end of 30 years of Labor rule. Visit of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem.
1978	Camp David Accords include framework for comprehensive peace in the Middle East and proposal for Palestinian self-government.
1979	Israel-Egypt Peace Treatysigned. Prime Minister Menachem Begin and President Anwar Sadat awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
1981	Israel Air Force destroys Iraqi nuclear reactor just before it is to become operative.
1982	Israel's three-stage withdrawal from Sinai Peninsula completed. Operation Peace for Galilee removes Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorists from Lebanon.
1984	National unity government (Likud and Labor) formed after elections. Operation Moses, immigration of Jews from Ethiopia.
1985	Free Trade Agreement signed with United States.
1987	Widespread violence (Intifada) starts in Israeli-administered areas.
1988	Likud government wins elections.
1989	Four-point peace initiative proposed by Israel. Start of mass immigration of Jews from former Soviet Union.
1991	Israel attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles during Gulf war. Middle East peace conference convened in Madrid; Operation Solomon, airlift of Jews from Ethiopia.
1992	Diplomatic relations established with China and India. New government headed by Yitzhak Rabin of Labor Party.
1993	Declaration of Principleson Interim Self-Government Arrangements for the Palestinians signed by Israel and PLO, as representative of the Palestinian people (Oslo Accords).
1994	Implementation of Palestinian self-government inGaza Strip and Jericho area. Full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Morocco and Tunisia interest offices set up. Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed. Rabin, Peres, Arafat awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
1995	Broadened Palestinian self-government implemented in West Bank and Gaza Strip; Palestinian Council elected. Prime Minister Rabin assassinated at peace rally. Shimon Peres becomes prime minister.
1996	.Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel escalates. Operation Grapes of Wrath, retaliation for Hizbullah terrorists' attacks on northern Israel. Trade representation offices set up in Oman and Qatar. Likud forms government after Knesset elections. Binyamin Netanyahu elected prime minister. Omani trade representation office opened in Tel Aviv
1997	.Hebron Protocol signed by Israel and the PA
1998	Israel celebrates its 50th anniversary. Israel and the PLO sign the Wye River Memorandum to facilitate implementation of the Interim Agreement.
1999	Ehud Barak (left-wing One Israel party) elected prime minister; forms coalition government. Israel and the PLO sign the Sharm-el-Sheikh Memorandum.
2000	Visit of Pope Paul II. Israel withdraws from the Security Zone in southern Lebanon. Israel admitted to UN Western European and Others Group. Renewed violence (Second Intifada). Prime Minister Barak resigns.
2001	Ariel Sharon (Likud) elected Prime Minister; forms broad-based unity government. The Sharm-el-Sheikh Fact-Finding Committee report (Mitchell Report) issued. Palestinian-Israeli Security Implementation Work Plan (Tenet ceasefire plan) proposed. Rechavam Ze'evy, Minister of Tourism, assassinated by Palestinian terrorists.
2002	Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield in response to massive Palestinian terrorist attacks. Israel begins building the anti-terrorist fence to stop West Bank terrorists from killing Israeli citizens. Prime Minister Sharon disperses the Knesset, calling for new elections to be held on 28 January 2003.
2003	Right-of-center coalition government formed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Israel accepts the Roadmap.
2005	Israel carries out the Disengagement Plan, ending Israel's presence in the Gaza Strip.
2006	After Prime Minister Sharon suffers a stroke, Ehud Olmert becomes acting prime minister. Following elections on 28 March, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert forms new government led by the Kadima Party. Israel carried out military operations against Palestinian terrorists in Gaza after kidnapping of Israeli soldier. The Second War in Lebanon, during which Israel carried out military operations against Hizbullah terrorism from southern Lebanon, following missile attacks and kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers.
2007	Shimon Peres elected President by the Knesset. Israel declares Gaza "hostile territory" following Hamas violent takeover of Gaza Strip.
2008	Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary. Israel launches its Gaza Operation (Operation Cast Lead) in response to the barrage of over 10,000 rockets and mortars fired from the Gaza Strip.
2009	Benjamin Netanyahu is elected Prime Minister in national elections held in February 2009, and forms a broad-based coalition government The city of Tel Aviv celebrates its 100th anniversary.
2010	Israel joins the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine.

On 29 November 1947 the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine or United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181, a plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in the British Mandate of Palestine, was approved by the United Nations General Assembly, at the UN World Headquarters in New York.

The  UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. 

 

• 1948 War of Independence-The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, referred to as the "War of Independence or as the "War of Liberation by Israelis, is the first in a series of armed conflicts fought between Israel and its Arab neighbors in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.  

After the United Nations proposed to partition the territory of the British Mandate of Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab, the Arabs refused to accept it and the armies of Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon and Iraq, supported by others, attacked the newly established State of Israel which they refused to recognize. As a result, the region was divided between Israel, Egypt and Transjordan.

• 1956 Sinai War-The Suez Crisis was a war fought on Egyptian territory in 1956. The conflict pitted Egypt against Israel, the United Kingdom and the Fourth French Republic.Eventually, pressure from the United States forced Britain, France, and Israel to withdraw.

• 1967 Six Day War-The Six-Day War was fought between Israel and the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria. When Egypt expelled the United Nations Emergency Force from the Sinai Peninsula, increased its military activity near the border, and blockaded the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships, Israel launched a pre-emptive attack on Egypt's air force fearing an imminent attack by Egypt. Jordan in turn attacked the Israeli cities of Jerusalem and Netanya. At the war's end, Israel had gained control of the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.

• 1973 Yom Kippur War-The Yom Kippur War was fought from October 6 to October 26, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab nations led by Egypt and Syria. The war began on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur with a surprise joint attack by Egypt and Syria crossing the cease-fire lines in the Sinai and Golan Heights, respectively, which had been captured by Israel in 1967 during the Six-Day War.The Egyptians and Syrians advanced during the first 24–48 hours, after which momentum began to swing in Israel's favor. By the second week of the war, the Syrians had been pushed entirely out of the Golan Heights. In the Sinai to the south, the Israelis had struck at the "seam" between two invading Egyptian armies, crossed the Suez Canal (where the old ceasefire line had been), and cut off an entire Egyptian army just as a United Nations cease-fire came into effect.

Geography
Area: 20,330 sq. km.1 (7,850 sq. mi.); about the size of New Jersey.
Cities: Capital--Jerusalem.2 Other cities--Tel Aviv, Haifa.
Terrain: Plains, mountains, desert, and coast.
Climate: Temperate, except in desert areas.

 

 

Israel’s Prime Ministers

David Ben-Gurion  (1948-54)(1955-63)	Moshe Sharett  (1954-55)	Levi Eshkol  (1963-69)	Golda Meir  (1969-74)
Yitzhak Rabin  (1974-77)  (1992-95)	Menachem Begin  (1977-83)	Yitzhak Shamir  (1983-84) (1986-92)	Shimon Peres  (1984-86) (1995-96)
Benjamin Netanyahu  (1996-99)	Ehud Barak  (1999-01)	Ariel Sharon  (2001-06)	Ehud Olmert  (2006-2009 )
Benjamin Netanyahu  (2009-2021)	Naftali Bennett (2021-)

 

Source: Wikepedia, United States Department of State, CIA Factbook, Yale Law School, Jewish Virtual Library,Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The State of Israel