1948

STATE OF ISRAEL

1948

End of British Mandate (14 May)
State of Israel proclaimed (14 May).
Israel invaded by five Arab states (15 May)
War of Independence (May 1948-July 1949)
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) established

1949

Armistice agreements signed with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. Jerusalem divided under Israeli and Jordanian rule.

1948-52

Mass immigration from Europe and Arab countries.

1956

Sinai Campaign

1967

Six-Day War, Jerusalem reunited.

1968-70

Egypt's War of Attrition against Israel

1973

Yom Kippur War

1975

Israel becomes an associate member of the European Common Market.

1981

Israel Air Force destroys Iraqi nuclear reactor just before it is to become operative.

1982

Israel's three-stage withdrawal from Sinai completed.
Operation Peace for Galilee removes PLO terrorists from Lebanon.

1984

Operation Moses, immigration of Jews from Ethiopia.

1985

Free Trade Agreement signed with United States.

1987

Widespread violence (intifada) starts in Israeli-administered areas.

1989

Start of mass immigration of Jews from former Soviet Union.

1991

Israel attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles during Gulf war.
Operation Solomon, airlift of Jews from Ethiopia.

1996

Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel escalates.
Operation Grapes of Wrath, retaliation for Hizbullah terrorists' attacks on northern Israel.

1998

Israel celebrates its 50th anniversary.