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The British officially withdraw from Palestine, and the Jewish National Council proclaims the State of Israel. Neighboring Arab nations, which rejected the partition of Palestine, immediately invade, intent on crushing the newly declared State of Israel.
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None of the countries sign formal peace treaties with Israel. Israel increases its original territory by 50%, taking western Galilee, a broad corridor through central Palestine to Jerusalem, and part of modern Jerusalem.
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Egypt takes control of Suez Canal.
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The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is formed.
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The UN Security Council adopts Resolution 242, the "land for peace" formula, which has been the starting point for further negotiations.
