Israeli/Palestinian Conflict- Timeline

1250 B.C. The Israelites (Jews or Hebrews) settle in Canaan (part of modern day Israel) after having fled slavery by the Egyptians.

1000 B.C. The Philistines battle the Israelites for control over Canaan. King David conquers the Philistine armies and makes Jerusalem the capital of the kingdom of Israel. His son, King Solomon, built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem which is later destroyed.

135 A.D. Roman Emperor Hadrian expels the Jews out of Jerusalem and renamed the area Palaestina after the Philistines. Rome Most Jews fled Israel and settled in areas in Eastern Europe. By this time Christianity had begun and was spreading in the Middle East and into Europe. Israel becomes Known as Palestine. Roman Empire

600 A.D. The prophet Muhammad establishes the religion of Islam. Muslim armies move down from Arabia and conquer most of the Middle East including Palestine. The area becomes mostly Arab and Muslim.

1930’s Persecution by Nazi Germany drives many Jews to move to Palestine. This Zionist movement called for Jews to return to their homeland. Palestinians resist the return of Jews to the region.

1940’s Palestine is a mandate of Britain. British forces occupy the area and try to keep peace between Arab Palestinians and Jewish Israelis. Pressure rises for an Israeli state to be established and it goes before the United Nations for discussion.

1947 The United Nations created a plan to divide Palestine into two nations- one for the Jews, and one for the Arabs. This plan was rejected by Arab Palestinians.

1948 May 14, Israel is declared an independent country. Nearby Arab countries attack in response and war breaks out.

1949 Israel wins the war and holds territory beyond the former UN established borders. 750,000 Arab Palestinians are displaced and flee to the West Bank as refugees.

1964 Palestinian Arabs organize the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). The PLO uses guerrilla warfare to try to overthrow Israel.

1967 The Six-Day War (June 5-10) took place between Israel and the neighboring Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. At the war's end, Israel had gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. Israel then built settlements in Gaza and the West Bank.

1987-1993 The first Intifada (meaning “shaking off”) takes place. The Palestinian uprising included violent attacks, suicide bombings, civil disobedience, and stone throwing. Violence was directed at both Israeli military forces and civilians. Israel responded with military force.

September 2000 A second Intifada erupted in the area causing Israel to tighten up security and place more restrictions on Palestinians living in the West Bank. The PLO insisted the Israeli military responded with excessive violence. Israeli military reported most Palestinian deaths were actually a result of PLO violence that was blamed on Israeli military to incite further rioting.

Recently… Many Palestinians and Israelis feel both nations could exist together and share the land. However there are many remaining issues that need to be addressed by both groups: Mutual recognition Placement of borders Security Water rights Control of Jerusalem Land rights Legalities concerning refugees

Leading the Fight… Hamas: A paramilitary force fighting Israeli occupation in Gaza. Hezbollah: A paramilitary group from Lebanon working against Israeli presence in the region. They are accused by some of using excessive violence and terrorism in their methods but praised by others because they also run hospitals, built schools, and provide social services to refugees in the West Bank.

Jerusalem Divided Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Armenians all share the holy city of Jerusalem. Muslims built the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on the site where the ancient Jewish Temple had been.