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War for Israeli independence 1947-1949
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War for Israeli independence, 1947-1949
On Nov. 29, 1947, the United Nations decides to partition Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state. Mounting violence leads to the first Arab-Israeli war in early 1948, when the British withdraw from the region. Jewish forces hold their ground and declare Israeli statehood on May 14, 1948. Neighboring Arab nations, including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt and then-Transjordan, lend support to the Palestinians. -
Six-Day War, June 5-10, 1967
The U.N force is able to prevent major Arab invasions of Israel until the summer of 1967 when Egyptian forces gather in Sinai and Nasser orders the international troops to leave.Egypt also blocks Israeli ships in the Gulf of Aqaba. In the United States, President Johnson tries but fails to secure peace and reopen the gulf. Israel plans preemptive strikes June 5 against Egypt Syria Jordan an Iraq nations that had mobilized for war while moving troops into the Sinai Peninsula and the canal region. -
Yom Kippur War, Oct. 6-24, 1973
Arab nations warn Israel that they will not accept Israeli occupation of lands lost in 1967. After Egypt's Nasser was succeeded by Anwar Sadat, Sadat prepares his country for war, including a contract with the Soviets for more sophisticated weaponry. Sadat, allied with President Hafez Assad of Syria, attacks Israel on Oct. 6, 1973 — on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. Israel fights back and gains back most of the ground lost in the initial attack. -
Suez crisis, 1956
Israeli leadership grows increasingly weary of crossborder attacks from the Egyptian-controlled Gaza Strip as well as Egypt's attempts to block Israeli shipping in the Suez Canal and Gulf of Aqaba. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's denial of Israel's right to exist and attempts to thwart Western peace initiatives convince the West that Nasser is not an ally. The United States withdraws aid to Egypt for the Aswan Dam Project, infuriating Nasser. He nationalizes the Suez Canal on July 1956. -
Israeli invasion of Lebanon, 1982
The treaty with Egypt leads to a "cold" peace, but Israel must now focus on the Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Attacks by the Palestine Liberation Organization from the Lebanon border add to the tensions. In June 1982, Israel invades Lebanon. Israeli troops reach Beirut, cornering the PLO and Syrian fighters. The United States intervenes, and a force of U.S. and Western European troops help with the PLO and Syrian evacuation.
