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Balfour Declaration
British Foreign Secretary sends letter to the President of Zionist Federation declaring Britain's support for a "national home" for Jewish people. -
Peel Commission
Peel Commission proposed a partition plan. Rejected by Arabs as it includes a Jewish state. Jews divided, as immigration was limited to 12,000. Ultimately rejected by Zionist party. -
White Paper
1939 White Paper calls for creation of a unified Palestinian state. Though the White Paper recognises its commitment to the Balfour Declaration, limits imposed on Jewish immigration (75,000 over five years), and Jewish ability to buy land. -
Second World War
Haganah begins smuggling Jews into Palestine. Arab leaders split, with some assisting Allies, others assist the Axis. -
King David Hotel Bombing
Irgun members bomb basement of hotel in Jerusalem, where British had brought large amount of documents confiscated from the Jewish Agency. Hotel was the centre of British admin at the time, though Arabs and Jews also victims. Attack condemned by Jewish National Council. -
Partition Plan
UN General Assembly passes patition plan dividing British Mandate of Palestine into two states. Accepted by Jewish, denied by Arabs. -
Proclamation of the state of Israel
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Period: to
First Arab Israeli War
Five Arab nations attack Israel with the intent of destroying it. -
Period: to
UN truce
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Conclusion of Armistice agreements
The territory is divided between Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. During and after the war about 700,000 Palestinians become refugees. -
Israel invades Sinai
with British assistance. -
Suez Crisis
The attack followed Nasser's decision to nationalise the Suez Canal. -
Britain and France invade Egypt
Under the guise of defeding Israel -
Formation of PLO
The Palestine Liberation Organization is founded in Cairo by the Arab League. Leader chosen by Nasser: essentially controlled by Egyptian government. The PLO states their goal as the destruction of the State of Israel through armed struggle, and replacing it with an "independent Palestinian state" between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Any compromise with the enemy was to be seen as treachery. -
Period: to
Six Days War
Israel invades Egypt. Seized Gaza, Golan Heights, and the Sinai. It also pushed Jordanian forces out of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Egypt's powerful air force was put out of action on the first day of fighting when Israeli jets bombed it on the ground in a pre-emptive strike.The territorial gains doubled the area of land controlled by Israel. The victory heralded a new age of confidence and optimism for Israel and its supporters. -
Khartoum Resolution
Arab summit brought resolute postion: the three nos.
No negotiation
No recognition
No peace -
UN Resolution 242
States that one cannot gain territoy by war. The aim was a just and lasting peace, and for all to live in security. Israelis to withdraw from occupied territories. All states to settle belligerency, and there was to be a just resolution for DP.
Fatah objected- the res. suggested a return of refugees to Jordanian rule, allowed for border changes in favour of Israel.