Conflict in the Middle East Timeline

The UN Partition Plan

November 29, 1947

The issue of the Jewish homeland in Palestine was handed over the UN at the end of the British Mandate. The plan divided the territory into a Jewish state, an Arab state, and the city of Jerusalem (to be reserved for all due to its religious importance for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism).

Birth of Israel

On the date, David Ben-Gurion (the Leader of the Zionist movement) declared the establishment of the state of Israel, and it was recognized by the US on the same day. This establishment did not respect the original territory set aside for the arab state.

May 14, 1948

Suez Crisis

This event is also known as the Second Arab–Israeli war, erupted when the Egyptian president nationalized the Suez canal (which was previously controlled by the UK and France). In response, Israeli forces attacked the Sinai Peninsula, and was later forced to withdraw by the UN.

Oct 29 - Nov 7, 1956

Six-Day War

This war was a conflict between Israel and several arab states (including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria) inflicted by the arab states to prevent a believed attack by Israel on Syria.. The war ended with Israel controlling the west bank, east Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula.

Jun 5-10, 1967

Yom Kippur War

This war was fought between Israel, Syria, and Egypt with the goal of winning back territory lost to israel in the Six-Day war. The initial attack took place on Yom Kippur (the holiest of the Jewish Holdiays) thinking the IDF would not be able to defend itself. The Battle ended in a ceasefire 19 days later.

Oct 6-25, 1973

Sadat Offers Peace

Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat extended the offer for peace with Israel during the Camp David Accords. This offer was specifically monumental because it was representative of the Arab nation's acknowledgment of the legitimacy of Israel and making large steps towards peace. However, this offer was very controversial in Egypt and eventually lead to the Sadat's assassination.

September 17, 1978

Assassination of Sadat

Muhammad Anwar el-Sadat was was political and military leader (President) of Egypt. He was murdered by islamic extremists in response to his signing of the cease fire in the Yom Kippur War. The assassins were extremely against peace with Israel and acted out in response.

Dec 8, 1987 – Sep 13, 1993

First Intifada

The intifada took the form of Palestinian protests and riots against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip that turned violent. The violence was spurred when an Israeli vehicle struck 2 Palestinian vans, killing 4, that Palestinian perceived as an act of revenge for the murder of an Israeli guard only days prior. And was brought to an end by the Oslo accords that opened the door the peace negotiations between the two states.

October 6, 1981

Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin

The Israeli Prime Minister was assassinated by a member of an extremist Jewish group called Eyal in retaliation for the Oslo peace accords, stating, "He wanted to give our country back to the Arabs."

November 4, 1995

Ariel Sharon visits the Temple Mount

The visit took place to assert the right held by all Israeli's to visit the Temple Mount and its state of remaining under Israeli sovereignty. This visit sparked extreme outrage and is believed to be one of the triggers for the Second Intifada.

September 28, 2000

Second Intifada

The Second Intifada was driven by the same factors as the first. It was started due to outrage surrounding the failure of the Camp David Summit and the Israeli Prime Minister's visit to the Temple Mount to assert Israel's ownership of it. This site is holy for both Judaism and Islam so the Arabs saw this act as an egregious offense.

Sep 28, 2000 – Feb 8, 2005