Around The World
Israel Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Israel's history.
1000-922 B.C.
Kings David and Solomon establish a Hebrew kingdom. Solomon builds the first temple.332 B.C.
Alexander the Great conquers Jerusalem.63 B.C.
63 B.C.: Rome, led by Pompey the Great, conquers the region.634 A.D.
Muslim armies take over.1500s
The region comes under Ottoman Turkish rule.1917
The Balfour Declaration gives British approval to the effort to create a Jewish homeland. After World War I, the area comes under British control, which allows some Jewish settlement.
DMITRI KESSEL—TIME & LIFE PICTURES/GETTY IMAGES
1948
On May 14, the State of Israel is proclaimed. David Ben-Gurion is its first prime minister. Neighboring Arab countries declare war, but Israel survives.1967
During the Six-Day War, Israel attacks Egypt. Israel occupies the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai peninsula and Syria's Golan Heights, and extends its control to all of Jerusalem.1973
On October 6, during a Jewish holy day, Egypt attacks territory occupied by Israel. The conflict is known as the Yom Kippur War.
AFP/GETTY IMAGES
1978
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin sign the U.S.-sponsored Camp David Accords. The countries sign a peace treaty on March 26, 1979.1982
Israel invades Lebanon to drive out Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) fighters who are attacking northern Israel.1987
A Palestinian uprising against Israel starts in the West Bank and Gaza.
MANOOCHER DEGHATI—AFP/GETTY IMAGES