Timeline of Israel

1900–1800 BCE

God promises the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants.
Genesis 12:1-7; Genesis 15:18-21

1800–1750 BCE

The covenant is reaffirmed with Isaac, Abraham’s son.
Genesis 26:2-5

1700–1650 BCE

God confirms the promise to Jacob, later named Israel
Genesis 28:13-15

1400 BCE

Following the Exodus and Moses’ leadership, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Ldand.

586 BCE

King Nebuchadnezzar destroys the First Temple in Jerusalem and exiles the Jewish people to Babylon.

70 CE

During the First Jewish-Roman War, the Romans destroy the Second Temple, leading to widespread Jewish diaspora.

135 CE

The failed Jewish revolt leads to mass exile and the Roman renaming of Judea to “Palestina” in an attempt to erase Jewish identity.

1517–1917

The Ottoman Empire controls the region for 400 years, until the end of World War I.

1897

Organized by Theodor Herzl in Basel, Switzerland. Marks the formal political beginning of modern Zionism.

1916

• A secret agreement between Britain and France (with assent from Russia) during WWI to divide up Ottoman territories in the Middle East into spheres of influence.

• It directly contradicted promises made to Arabs (for independence) and later conflicted with the Balfour Declaration (1917), which supported a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

1917

The British government expresses support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

1947

United Nations Resolution 181 proposes the partition of British Mandatory Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

May 14, 1948

David Ben-Gurion declares independence. Israel is recognized by the U.S. and USSR; immediate war follows with neighboring Arab countries.

1948–1949

Israel defends itself against a coalition of Arab states. Armistice agreements are signed in 1949.

1950

Israel proclaims Jerusalem as the nation’s capital. Not yet recognized by the United States government.

1967

Israel defeats Egypt, Jordan, and Syria; captures East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.

1973

Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Yom Kippur; Israel regains momentum and territory.

1987–1993

Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

2000–2005

A period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence including terror attacks and military operations.

2011

Israel operationalizes Iron Dome, an anti-missile defense system that intercepts short-range rockets, significantly reducing civilian casualties from rocket attacks.

May 14, 2018

Under the first Trump Administration, the US Embassy moves from Tel Aviv to Jerusalam on 70th anniversary of Israel’s statehood.

October 7, 2023

The deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas invades southern Israel from Gaza, killing over 1,200 civilians and taking hostages.

April 13–14, 2024

Iran’s Direct Drone and Missile Attack on Israel in an unprecedented escalation, Iran launches over 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Most are intercepted by Israel’s defense systems and support from the U.S., U.K., France, and Jordan.