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United Nations voted to partition and then British-controlled Palestine into Arab and Jewish states.
Israel declares independence in May of 1948, six Arab states attack. Israel defeats the combined Arab armies and enlarges its territory. -
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Maintained settlements
Jewish communities within the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza.These communities are surrounded by safety zones where Palestinians are not allowed to farm, and have roads that Palestinians are not allowed to use. -
Six day War
After a few decades of Arab discontent, relations between Jewish Israelis and its Arab neighbors got worse. Israelis captured East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan, Gaza and Sinai from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. -
Syria launch a surprise attack on Israeli.
On the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, Israel repels both armies and a cease-fire is declared. Israel leaves from parts of Sinai and the Golan Heights. -
Signs of peace were on the horizon
After Egyptian president Anwar Sadat’s surprise visit to Jerusalem, US President Jimmy Carter brokers peace between Egypt and Israel. Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel. -
Stone-throwing youths attacking Israeli soldiers
The first suicide attack on civilians in Israel occurs in 1989. Violence known as the Intifada, last through 1990.