Israel-Palestine Conflict Timeline and Key Events

Theodor Herzl(1896)

journalist and political activist, published "The Jewish State", advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, preferably in Palestine as a solution to rising antisemitism in Europe(pogroms). He represented many jews in Europe and started the zionist movement that would lead to an Israeli state.

The Jewish State(1896)

Book by Herzl outlining Zionist aspirations.

Zionism

A political movement advocating for a Jewish homeland, primarily in Palestine. Grew from Herzl's ideas and gained momentum after the Holocaust. Caused by antisemitism and led to creation of Israel.

Kishinev Pogrom(1903)

Mass violence against Jews in Russia caused by spreading antisemitism which expressed anti-jewish interests and caused a rise in zionism as it showed the need for a jewish state.

Hussein-McMahon Correspondence(1915-1916)

Letters between Hussein and McMahon in which Britain promised Arab independence in exchange for an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during WWI. This supposedly favored both sides but the British eventually betrayed the arabs through sykes picot.

Sykes-Picot Agreement(1916)

A secret agreement between Britain and France that divided up the Ottoman-controlled Middle East. Represented French + British imperialism and was caused by a want for land in the middle east. This led to lots of conflict in the region that still exists today.

Balfour Declaration(1917)

A letter from Balfour(british) to Lord Rothschild(zionist), stating Britain's support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. Representing the goals of both british imperialism and zionism and was caused by the zionist movement + imperialism. This caused tension between the jews who wanted the state and the arab states in the region who did not.

Treaty of Sèvres(1920)

Post-WWI treaty carrying out the sykes picot agreement. Caused by end of WWI representing european interests, led to resistance from arab(middle east) states who wanted independence.

Pan-Arabism

A movement promoting unity among Arab nations to resist Western imperialism and Zionism. Associated with leaders like Nasser. Led to things like the UAR and league of arab states.

Pact of the League of Arab States(1945)

The formation of the Arab League, a regional organization of Arab states aiming for closer political, economic, and military cooperation, as well as opposition to Zionism. Caused by an increase in zionism and led to more anti-zionism in the area.

UN Partition Plan(1947)

The United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. The plan was approved by the General Assembly but was rejected by the Arab states and Palestinian leadership but accepted by zionist leaders. Caused by tensions in area and led to creation of israel(1948) and first arab israeli war.

Declaration of the State of Israel(1948)

Announced the creation of Israel, following the UN Partition Plan and British withdrawal from Palestine. Represented Jews and led to the first Arab-Israeli War

Arab-Israeli War(1948-49)

After Israel declared independence, a coalition of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq) invaded, aiming to prevent the establishment of Israel. The war ended with Israeli victory and territorial gains. Caused by an arab rejection of the un partition plan and led to refugees + gains for israel.

UN General Assembly Resolution 194(1948)

gave Palestinian refugees the right to return or compensation if necessary and also established the conciliation commission for peace in the area. Caused by the aftermath of the first arab-israeli war. In reality, both sides accused the other for not following the resolution and caused further conflict.

Law of Return(1950)

Israeli law granting Jews worldwide the right to immigrate to Israel and gain citizenship. Caused by the fact that there were lots of refugees after the holocaust and led to rising tension between arabs and israelis

Gamal Abdel Nasser(1954-1970)

President of Egypt, leader of Pan-Arabism, nationalized the Suez Canal, and opposed Western influence in the Middle East. He strengthened Arab nationalism, but also caused conflicts like the Suez Crisis and Six-Day War.

Suez Crisis(1956)

Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, prompting an invasion by Israel, Britain, and France. The U.S. and USSR forced them to withdraw. This marked the decline of British and French influence in the Middle East, and boosted Nasser's status.

United Arab Republic(1958-1961)

A short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria under Nasser's leadership. Aimed at unifying Arab states. Its collapse led to the eventual downfall of pan-arabism and the goal of a singular Arab state disappeared.

Palestine Liberation Organization(1964)

had goal of establishing a Palestinian state and representing Palestinian interests in international diplomacy. It was initially led by Ahmed Shukeiri and later by Yasser Arafat. Caused by Palestinian nationalism and want for a representing group. While they believed at first that violence was the only answer to have Palestine back, they later transitioned to more peace as seen in the Oslo Accords.

Six-Day War(1967)

Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the Sinai Peninsula, West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. Caused by the lining up of forces from the Arabs and caused Israeli territorial expansion, heightened Arab-Israeli tensions, and UN Resolution 242.

Resolution 242(1967)

After the Six-Day War in 1967, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 242, which called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied in the war and recognized the right of all states in the region to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries. Israel did not withdraw from all territories but some, leading to conflict as well.

Yom Kippur War/Arab-Israeli War(1973)

Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel during Yom Kippur. Israel eventually pushed back, regaining much of the territory. Ended with a peace agreement between the two sides following UN demands(res 338) for peace. This led to more peace talks like the camp david accords since Arabs realized they couldn't defeat israel and started doing more diplomatic relations.

Camp David Accords(1978)

Peace treaty caused by aftermath of yom kippur war between Egypt and Israel; hosted by US President Jimmy Carter. The accords outlined the framework for peace between the two countries, including Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel. Israel wanted peace, egypt wanted sanai peninsula. First peace treaty between Israel + arab country and egypt got kicked from the league of arab states.

First Intifada(1987-1993)

A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, involving protests, boycotts, and violence. Led to the oslo accords.

Oslo Accords(1993)

Peace agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mediated by the US, recognizing each other and establishing Palestinian self-rule. Caused by desire for peace and it created a Palestinian government authority but didn't end the conflict in the area.

Second Intifada (2000-2005)

A second Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, marked by widespread violence, including suicide bombings, Israeli military operations, and clashes. Palestinians still wanted an arab state causing the intifada and it led to a further divide and struggle for peace in the area with a more violent approach from Palestinians for their goals.