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Most middle eastern countries have refused to recognize it's right to exist. some countries have repeatedly attacked israel and funded military groups.
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Israel launched air strikes against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, destroying most of their airplanes on the ground. Israeli ground troops then moved in and rapidly defeated Arab forces. In this war, called the Six-Day War, Israel took control of the Golan Heights, Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Israel gained control of land in the West Bank and Gaza with a large Palestinian population.
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Determined to win their territory back Egypt and Syria launched the Yom Kippur War, a surprise attack against Israel in 1973. The war takes its name from the Jewish holy day when the attack began. At first, Arab troops made gains in the war. Israel’s government, led by Golda Meir, was not fully prepared for the attack and needed military support from the United States.
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in 1977, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made a momentous declaration: Egypt wanted peace with Israel. To help facilitate this historic peace, U.S. president Jimmy Carter invited Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.
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Sadat and Begin reached an agreement known as the Camp David Accords. Egypt recognized Israel, and Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. The treaty ended 30 years of hostility between Egypt and Israel.
