-
Israel declared independence, and was attacked by several Arab countries, such as Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Israel gained territory, Egypt took the Gaza strip, and Jordan took West Bank and East Jerusalem. Thousands of Palestinians and Jews became regufees.
-
Israel begins building Jewish settlements in Sinai, Gaza, and West Bank. They are intended as security outposts. Approximately 300,000 people begin living in West Bank settlements. To reach a peace agreement, Israel and Palestine must negotiate the future of these settlements.
-
Egypt blockaded Israel and moved troops to its borders while making threats alongside Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Israel launched a preemptive strike against the threatening nations. Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, the Golan Heights from Syria, and the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. This war caused an increase in terrorism.
-
Arab nations refuse to recognize Israel, and begin small-scale attacks on the nation. Jordan evicted the PLO from the country, and the organization relocated to Lebanon.
-
Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on the holy day of Yom Kippur. The attack was repelled by Israel, and Israel is convinced by the United States to withdraw from its occupied lands.
-
Due to United States efforts, Egypt becomes the first Arab nation to formally recognize Israel, and the two nations refuse to fight any longer. Israel returned Sinai to Egypt and removed its Jewish people from the area.
-
Northern Israel towns were being more frequently targeted by PLO attacks from Lebanon. Israel repels the PLO into Tunisia, and Israel is also drawn into the complicated Lebanese civil war. Israel moves some forces into Lebanon.
-
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank started an uprising against the Israeli occupants, using improvised weapons and suicide attacks. Israel forces crack down on the uprising and are unsure on how harshly to deal with the situation.
-
Israel and the PLO signed a declaration of principles (DOP). The Palestinian Authority was created, ruling over Palestinian territories. Israel gradually withdraws military force from the Gaza Strip, and the PLO formally recognizes Israel.
-
The US once again helps Israel reach peace with an Arab nation; this time, Jordan. Jordan formally recognizes Israel, and the two nations begin to cooperate more.
-
Bill Clinton brings Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian president Yasser Arafat to Camp David to negotiate peace. Barak promises to help create a Palestinian state with a capital in East Jerusalem, but Arafat refuses. Conflict continues.
-
Israeli general Ariel Sharon visited a holy site for Israelis and Muslims. Palestinians claimed that the visit was provocative and began rioting. Great suffering on both sides occurred, lots of terrorism occurred, and many civilian lives were lost. Israeli military relocated to major cities.
-
Israel decides to build a barrier to separate Israeli citizens from West Bank terrorists. It is similar to the wall built around the Gaza Strip. Suicide bombings in Israel coming from the Gaza Strip and West Bank are drastically reduced.
-
Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia proposes peace for Israel if they forfeit and withdraw from lands they captured in the 1967 War. The Arab League endorses the proposal, while Israel does not entirely agree with the proposal.
-
A plan for peace proposed by the U.S., Russia, European Union, and the United Nations. The proposal states it will create an independent Palestinian state and secure Israel. The Roadmap doesn't even start the first of its three phases before being abandoned due to the election of terrorist group Hamas.
-
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon begins to remove Israel forces from the Gaza Strip. Because of this, more rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel by terrorists.
-
Palestinians elect many Hamas members to the Palestinian Authority. Many people thought the old government was corrupt, and wanted change. Hundreds of terrorist attacks are brought out by Hamas. Western nations stop supporting the Palestinian Authority.
-
Radical Islamic organization Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel from Lebanon, resulting in harsh Israeli retaliation. Many civilians were killed due to Hezbollah's "human shield" strategy, hiding their terrorists in crowds of civilians. Lebanon's transportation systems were badly damaged.
-
Hamas members attacked the PLO Fatah members residing in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the Hamas government. Hamas takes control of the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority takes control of West Bank.
-
Israeli forces attacked Hamas members in Gaza, trying to stop rocket attacks, disrupt terrorism, and stop the transportation of weapons. Hundreds of militants are killed by Israeli forces. Gaza's civilians, buildings, and economy are badly damaged.
-
Israel and Egypt began blockading the Gaza Strip. All goods were checked to stop Hamas weapons smuggling. Upon refusing to be checked, Israeli forces entered six ships and attacked. Tension has increased between Israel and Turkey.
-
People in Arab states began to protest against their dictatorships in favor of democracy. Protests have occurred in Tunisia, Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Syria, and Yemen. Tunisian and Egyptian presidents both resigned. The Arab Spring's outcome is not fully clear.
