Timeline
17th Century BCE
Jewish Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob (known as Israel), Leah and Rachel and their children (which is four generations) live in Canaan (today’s Israel). They are known as the ‘Israelites’. Famine forces them to move to Egypt temporarily, but they become enslaved by a new pharaoh for over 200 years.
17th Century BCE
13th Century BCE
Moses & Exodus
Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads the Israelites (now a large nation) out of Egypt. They travel through the desert for 40 years, eventually arriving back in Canaan (Israel), where they settle, each tribe (family group) living in a different area.
13th Century BCE
1020 BCE
King Saul
An Israelite monarchy is established. Saul is crowned the first king.
1020 BCE
1000 BCE
King David
King David (the second king) makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom.
1000 BCE
960 BCE
First Temple Built
The First Temple, the national and spiritual centre of the people of Judea is built on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem by King Solomon (King David’s son).
960 BCE
930 BCE
Two Kingdoms
After Solomon’s death, the country divides into two: the Kingdom of Israel (containing Samaria) in the north, where 10 tribes live and the Kingdom of Judah (containing Jerusalem) in the south, where the other two tribes live.
930 BCE
720 BCE
The Lost Tribes
The northern kingdom is conquered by the Assyrians. Many thousands of Jews are transported to distant provinces of the Assyrian empire. These are known as the ‘lost tribes’.
720 BCE
586 BCE
First Temple Destruction & Babylonian Exile
The Kingdom of Judah (including Jerusalem) is conquered by the Babylonians. After a 30-month siege of Jerusalem. The Temple is destroyed (along with most of Jerusalem) and most people are forced out to Babylon.
586 BCE
538–515 BCE
Return from Exile & Second Temple
The Jews of Judah are allowed to return from Babylon, when Persian ‘Cyrus the Great’ conquers Babylonia. The Temple is rebuilt.
538–515 BCE
166–160 BCE
Maccabean Revolt
The Seleucid Greeks rule Jerusalem. Huge restrictions are placed on the practice of Judaism and the Temple is desecrated. A group of Jews (The Maccabees) revolt – the story of Hanukah.
166–160 BCE
129–63 BCE
Jewish Independence
Jewish independence in Judea is restored. Jewish life flourishes.
129–63 BCE
63–4 BCE
Roman Rule
Jerusalem is captured by Roman General Pompey. The Romans rule the Land of Judea and relations between the Romans and Jews are complicated. Herod, a Jew, is appointed King of Judea by the Romans! He expands the Jewish Temple complex in Jerusalem.
63–4 BCE
66–70
Jewish Revolt & Second Temple destroyed
Over time relations between the Jews and Romans deteriorates. The Jews eventually revolt against the Romans. The Romans kill many Jews, destroy the city of Jerusalem and The Temple. Many Jews leave Judea in order to continue practicing Judaism. Treasures from the Temple are taken to Rome.
66–70
73
Masada
Nearly 1,000 Jews flee to Masada (a desert fortress built by King Herod). According to historian Josephus, following a siege, the Jews kill themselves rather than be killed by the Romans.
73
132–135
Bar Kokhba Revolt
Simon bar Kokhba leads the remaining Jews in another uprising against the Romans, but do not win. Many Jews are enslaved and killed. The Romans change the names ‘Judaea’ to ‘Syria Palaestina’ and ‘Jerusalem’ to ‘Aelia Capitolina’. Most Jewish survivors move to the Galilee (north) which became the religious centre.
132–135
200
Mishna – Jewish Oral Law completed
With so many Jews now living dispersed around the world, the Jewish Oral Law, ‘the Mishna’, is written down to stop it being lost.
200
390
Jerusalem Talmud completed
The commentary – ‘Gemara’ – on the Mishna is completed in the Galilee area. (Another more substantial version of the Talmud, which most Jews today refer to, was written around the same time in Babylon.)
390
691
Arab Conquest
On site of the First and Second Temples (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock (mosque) is built by Caliph Abd al-Malik.
691
1099–1291
Crusades
European crusaders attack and conquer Jerusalem. Many Muslims and Jews are killed. Some European Christians settle in Jerusalem.
1099–1291
1291–1516
Mamluk Rule
The (Muslim) Mamluks, who had just gained control of Egypt and Syria, invade and take control from the Crusaders.
1291–1516
1517
Ottoman conquest
The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire conquers the land. This brings a period of peace. (Although the official religion of the Ottomans was Islam, Jews and Christians are ‘protected’ if loyal to the empire.) This lasts for 400 years.
1517
1860
Jerusalem Expands
Jewish population growth leads to the expansion of Jerusalem beyond the Old City walls.
1860
1882–1903
First Aliyah
The ‘First Aliyah’ (wave of immigration) takes place – mainly from the Russian Empire.
1882–1903
1897
First Zionist Congress
First Zionist Congress is organised by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland. The World Zionist Organization is founded.
1897
1904–1914
Second Aliyah
Due to much antisemitism and pogroms (attacks) in Russia and Poland, there is second wave of immigration.
1904–1914
1905
First Jewish School
Gymnasia Herzliya, the future country’s first modern Jewish High school, was founded in 1905 in Jaffa.
1905
1909
Tel-Aviv
The first modern Jewish city, Tel Aviv is founded.
1909
1910
The First Kibbutz
‘Degania’, the first kibbutz (socialist community where everything is shared, from money to cooking and childcare) is set up.
1910
1917–18
British Rule & Balfour Declaration
During WWI, the British take over land, which they call ‘British Mandate Palestine’. The British government issues the Balfour Declaration which promises ‘the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people’ where ‘nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country’.
1917–18
1919–1932
Third & Fourth Aliyah
A third and fourth ‘Aliyah’ – waves of immigration occur, mainly from Eastern Europe. The fourth wave was fuelled by Jews fleeing rising antisemitism.
1919–1932
1920
National Jewish Organsations
The Jewish community forms:
‘Va’ad Leumi’ (National Council – later becomes the Israeli government)
‘Histadrut’ (General Federation of Labour Unions)
‘Haganah’ (later becomes the Israeli Defence Force – today’s Israeli army)
1920
1922
Mandate for Palestine
The ‘League of Nations’ (now the United Nations) approves the Mandate for Palestine – a plan to establish a Jewish state, alongside a Palestinian state. Britain promises ‘administrative advice and assistance’ until this is in place. The mandate encourages Jewish immigration.
1922
1924
Technion Established
The Technion (Institute of Technology) is the first university founded by the Zionist Congress. It is one of the first universities of the Middle East and remains world renowned.
1924
1925
Hebrew University established
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel’s second university is established. Notable figures such as Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud are governors. Fifteen Nobel Prize winners, two Field Medallists, and three Turing Award winners have been affiliated with the university.
1925
1929
Hebron massacre
For many years, Jews and Arabs live in peace in the city of Hebron. In August 1929, three days of violence against the Jewish community occur due to tensions over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. 67 Jews are killed and Jewish homes and synagogues are destroyed. The survivors are relocated to Jerusalem.
1929
1931
Irgun Formed
In 1931 the Irgun (a Zionist militant group) is formed. They commit acts of terrorism against Palestinian Arabs as well as the British authorities. The Irgun formally disbands after the State of Israel forms and has an official army – the IDF.
1931
1933–1939
Fifth Aliyah
A ‘Fifth Aliyah’ (wave of immigration) occurs, mainly from Germany as Jews flee from the Nazi regime.
1933–1939
1936–1939
The Peel Commission
The British Peel Commission recommends the partition of the country between Arabs and Jews. The Arabs reject the idea while the Jews accept it. Anti-Jewish riots are instigated.
1936–1939
1939
British White Paper
The British government calls for the establishment of a Jewish national home in an independent Palestinian state within ten years. Due to Arab protests, Jewish immigration is limited for five years and Jews are restricted from buying land in much of the country.
1939
1939–1945
WWII & The Holocaust
World War Two occurs. There is a Holocaust in Europe where six million Jews and many others are killed by the Nazis. In 1944 the ‘Jewish Brigade’ is formed in Mandate Palestine to send Jews to fight alongside British forces.
1939–1945
1945–7
End of WWII
At the end of the war, the British continue their immigration restrictions and many Jewish Holocaust survivors arriving by boat to Palestine are violently turned away.
1945–7
1946
Hotel Bombing
On July 22, 1946, the Irgun (a Zionist militant group) bomb the offices of the British authorities in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. This was in response to British troops invading the Jewish Agency Office and confiscating a lot of documents and arresting many Jews. Despite the Irgun sending three warnings by phone before the bombing, 91 people are killed, including Arabs, Britons and Jews, and 46 were injured.
1946
1947
UN Partition Plan
The UN (United Nations) recommends the partition of Palestine into two states – one Jewish and one Arab, with Jerusalem staying under international control. The Jews accept the plan but the Arabs reject it.
1947
1948
Gush Etzion Massacre
On May 13th ‘Kfar Etzion’ Kibbutz is attacked by the Arab Legion and local Arab men. Jewish Kibbutz residents and Haganah fighters defend themselves but on May 14th, the day that the state of Israel is proclaimed, they can no longer hold out, and surrender. 127 Jews are killed. This is why ‘Yom Ha’Zikaron’ is on May 13th annually.
1948
1948
Israel Formed & War of Independence
The State of Israel is declared on May 14, 1948, according to the UN Partition Plan. The next day the newborn state is attacked by the armies of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon as well as the Arab Liberation Army. Fighting lasts for eight months killing over 10,000 Arabs and over 6,000 Jews. Israel survives and ends up with an additional 2,500 square miles to what had been agreed in the Partition plan.
1948
1948–51
Wave of immigration
From 1948 to 1951, over 700,000 Jewish immigrants enter Israel. Most are Holocaust survivors or Jews fleeing from Arab lands.
1948–51
1956
Suez Crisis
The Suez Canal is a vital passage for ships and trade. Egypt seizes control of the Suez Canal from the British and French. Israel, Britain and France attack Egypt to gain back control of the canal, but do not win.
1956
1961
Eichmann Trial
Israel captures Nazi leader and Holocaust perpetrator Adolf Eichmann in Argentina (where he was in hiding) and brings him to Israel to stand trial. This is televised internationally. He is convicted of 15 crimes by three judges. Eichmann is the only person sentenced to death by the Israeli courts.
1961
1964
PLO Formed
The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) is formed as the official representative body of the Palestinian people. It initially wants to establish an Arab state covering the entire territory, totally eliminating the State of Israel. (However, since the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PLO only seeks Arab statehood in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.)
1964
1967
Six Day War
There are many attacks on Israeli civilians from Egypt, Jordan and Syria between 1965–67. Full scale war brakes out. By the end of the war Israel triples the size of the area it controls, including the Sinai, Old City of Jerusalem, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and West Bank. For the first time in 19 years, Israeli Jews can visit the Western Wall.
1967
1969
Golda Meir
Israel’s first and only female head of government (and the first in the Middle East) is elected. She serves as prime minister for five years.
1969
1972
Munich massacre
During the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany, a terrorist attack is carried out by the Palestinian terrorist organisation ‘Black September’. They kill two members of the Israeli Olympic team and take nine others hostage. The police kill five of the Black September members, but the rescue attempt fails and all of the hostages plus one police officer are killed.
1972
1973
Yom Kippur War
Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Approximately 2,500 Israelis and 15,000 Arabs die during the three-week conflict, which ends with an Israeli victory.
1973
1978 & 79
Eurovision win
Israel enters the Eurovision song contest for the first time in 1973. Israel wins in 1978, so in 1979 hosts the competition and wins again! (Israel also wins in 1998 and 2018.)
1978 & 79
1979
Peace Treaty With Egypt
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menahem Begin work together and sign a peace agreement (facilitated by the United States). Egypt is the first Arab state to officially recognise Israel’s right to exist. Sadat and Begin jointly win a Nobel Prize for Peace.
1979
1982–85
Lebanon War
Following PLO attacks on Israel during an agreed ceasefire, Israel launches an attack on the PLO in Southern Lebanon – ‘Operation Peace for Galilee’. However, Christian fighters get involved and massacre hundreds of Palestinian civilians. This causes the world to condemn the operation and leads to the resignation of Israel’s Defence Minister Ariel Sharon following a huge public outcry in Israel. Despite Israel and Lebanon signing a peace agreement in 1983, unrest continues until 1985.
1982–85
1991
Gulf War
Without provocation, Iraq (led by Saddam Hussein) fires 42 Scud missiles at Israel, aiming to drag Israel into the war (in which several Arab countries are involved). Israel does not retaliate.
1991
1987–1995
First Intifada (Uprising) & Hamas formed
An Israeli vehicle in Gaza causes a crash that kills four Palestinians. This is perceived by Palestinians as an act of revenge for the murder of an Israeli in Gaza a few days earlier. This leads to protests and riots carried out by Palestinians. The unrest continues for nearly 6 years.
Hamas (an acronym of Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, meaning ‘Islamic Resistance Movement’) is founded (1987) as a political and military movement. It has controlled Gaza since 2007 and is proscribed by the British and American governments as a terrorist organisation.
1987–1995
1993 & 1995
Oslo Accords
The first direct Palestinian-Israeli peace agreements are signed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Yasser Arafat, facilitated by the USA. These are supposed to be the first steps in creating a two state (split land and control) solution. Both leaders are awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
1993 & 1995
1995
Yitzhak Rabin Assassination
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is assassinated by Israeli extremist Yigal Amir. Amir is a law student and ultranationalist who radically opposes Rabin working with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for peace.
1995
2000–2005
Second Intifada
Likud political party chairman Ariel Sharon visits the Temple Mount. The next day widespread Palestinian violence towards Israel erupts in the Old City of Jerusalem, West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Over five years, terrorists target Israeli civilians on buses, restaurants and on city streets. Many people are killed on both sides.
2000–2005
2013
Security Wall
Israel builds the ‘West Bank barrier’ along the green line (border of the West Bank), following a wave of Palestinian political violence and incidents of terrorism inside Israel during the Second Intifada (uprising).
Israel describes the wall as a necessary security barrier against Palestinian political violence, whereas Palestinians describe it as racial segregation.
2013
2021
Constitutional Crisis
A period of political instability in Israel. An attempt is made by the right-wing Israeli government to restrict the independence of the courts. This leads to weekly protesting by hundreds of thousands of Israelis.
2021
2021
Israel-Palestine crisis
A major outbreak of violence occurs during May 2021. This is triggered by Palestinians protesting over an anticipated decision of the Israeli supreme court on the eviction of six Palestinian families in an East Jerusalem neighbourhood – Sheikh Jarrah. A ceasefire is agreed after two weeks.
2021
2023
October 7 Massacre by Hamas
Hamas, a terrorist organisation (as proscribed by the British government) is the ruling power in Gaza. On October 7th, as well as firing rockets at Israel, 1,500 Hamas terrorists break through the border from Gaza into Israel. Over 1,400 Israelis and foreign workers are attacked, raped and killed in horrendous ways at a music festival and in their homes. Whole families including babies are killed, houses burned down, and over 200 Israeli civilians (including children) are taken hostage. Israel mobilises its troops and goes into Gaza to fight Hamas. Tragically many civilians are killed in this process.
2023
