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British issued the Balfour Declaration, viewed by Jews and Arabs as promising a “National Home” for the Jews in Palestine.
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Israel War of Independence (1948 War). Declaration of Israel as the Jewish State; British leave Palestine. Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia declared war on Israel. Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian invasion began.
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British form the Palestine Regiment, which assist forces against the Axis.
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Israel and Arab states agree to armistice. Israel gained about 50% more territory than was originally allotted to it by the UN Partition Plan.
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Israel invades the Sinai peninsula and occupies it for several months with the collaboration of British and French forces. This was in retaliation for a series of escalating border raids as well as the closure of the straits of Tiran and Suez canal to Israeli shipping, and to prevent Egyptian use of newly acquired Soviet arms in a war.
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PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) founded with the aim of destroying Israel. The Palestinian National Charter officially called for liquidation of Israel.
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Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser closes the straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and dismisses UN peacekeeping force. Negotiations with the US to reopen the Straits of Tiran fail.
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6-day war. Israel destroys the Egyptian air force on the ground, conquers and occupies Sinai and Gaza, then conquers the West Bank from Jordan, and Golan Heights from Syria. UN resolution 242 called for Israeli withdrawal, establishment of peace.
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Egypt retook the Suez canal and a narrow zone on the other side in a surprise attack. Syria reconquered the Golan Heights. Following massive US and Soviet resupplying of the sides, Israel succeeded in pushing back the Syrians and threatening Damascus.
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A peace treaty was signed between Egypt and Israel.
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Israel destroys Iraqi Osirak's nuclear reactor in a raid.
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Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is assassinated while on a victory parade.
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There was a massive Israeli invasion of Lebanon to fight the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
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Israel and PLO agree to mutual recognition.
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Palestinian authority is now to be established due the recent agreement signing.
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Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by right-wing Israeli fanatic Yigal Amir. Rabin is replaced by Shimon Peres.
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Right-Wing Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu was elected Prime Minister in Israel, replacing Shimon Peres.
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Arab sources spread the false rumor that a gate opened in an underground tunnel tourist attraction by the Israeli government, endangered the foundations of the Al-Aqsa mosque. This caused several days of rioting and numerous casualties.
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Israel and Palestinians reach agreement on Israeli redeployment in the West-Bank city of Hebron.
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Wye River Plantation talks result in an agreement for Israeli redeployment and release of political prisoners and renewed Palestinian commitment to correct its violations of the Oslo Accords. This was including excess police force, illegal arms and incitement in public media and education.
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Israel elects Labor party leader and Former General Ehud Barak as Prime Minister in a landslide.He promised rapid progress toward peace.
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Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations fail when Hafez Assad rejects an Israeli offer relayed by US President Clinton in Geneva.
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Palestinians initiated riots after Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount, which is also the location of the Haram as Sharif holy to Muslims.
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Right-wing Likud leader Ariel Sharon elected Prime Minister in Israel replacing Ehud Barak and promised "peace and security."
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Terror attacks on World Trade Center in NYC and the Pentagon carried out by fanatic Islamic Al-Qaida group headed by Osama Bin Laden initiate a US war on terror.
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Israel conducts Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank, following a large number of Palestinian suicide attacks on civilian targets. Saudi peace initiative was adopted at Beirut summit.
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Elections in Israel give wide margin (40 seats) to right wing Likud party, returning Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for another term.
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US begins invasion of Iraq by a strike against a building where Saddam Hussein and other leaders are meeting. On April 9th, Baghdad falls.
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International court of Justice (ICJ) rules that the Israeli security barrier violates international law and must be torn down.
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Syrian occupation is officially ended.
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Mahmud Abbas visits US President George Bush at the White House, an important symbolic gesture signaling US backing for Abbas and Palestinian aspirations. Israel releases 400 Palestinian prisoners. Britain confirms "low level" negotiations with Hamas.
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Hamas and Fatah sign Palestinian Prisoners' Document, supposedly cementing national unity. Israel then begins operation Summer Rains and invades Gaza strip to recover kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit and stop Qassam rocket fire..
