History of Israel in Timeline
Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the Red Sea, Egypt, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its financial, economic, and technological hub is Tel Aviv. Jerusalem is Israel's proclaimed capital, although its sovereignty over East Jerusalem faces limited international recognition.
1904: Second Aliyah begins
The Second Aliyah, a wave of Jewish migration to Ottoman-ruled Palestine, began in 1904 following the Kishinev pogrom.
1907: Formation of Bar-Giora
In 1907, the Jewish armed militia Bar-Giora emerged, marking the early stages of Jewish self-defense organizations in Palestine.
1909: Establishment of Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, the first planned Jewish town, was established in 1909, representing a significant step in the development of Jewish urban life in Palestine.
1914: End of the Second Aliyah
The Second Aliyah came to an end in 1914, having brought approximately 40,000 Jews to Palestine, contributing to the growth of the Jewish community in the region.
1917: Balfour Declaration
In 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour sent the Balfour Declaration to Lord Rothschild, stating Britain's support for the creation of a Jewish "national home" in Palestine.
1918: Habima Theatre Founded
In 1918, Habima Theatre, Israel's oldest repertory theater company and national theater, was founded in Tel Aviv, continuing the strong theatrical traditions of Yiddish theatre in Eastern Europe.
1918: Jewish Legion Assists in British Conquest of Palestine
In 1918, the Jewish Legion, a group primarily of Zionist volunteers, assisted in the British conquest of Palestine.
1919: Third Aliyah
The Third Aliyah, a wave of Jewish immigration to Palestine, began in 1919 and lasted until 1923, bringing an additional 100,000 Jews to the region.
1920: British Mandate
The British Mandate for Palestine was established in 1920, during which the entire region was known as Palestine.
1920: Territory Divided, Mandatory Palestine Established
In 1920, the territory of Palestine was divided between Britain and France under the mandate system, and the British-administered area (including modern Israel) was named Mandatory Palestine. Arab opposition to British rule and Jewish immigration led to the 1920 Palestine riots.
1920: British Mandate for Palestine
In 1920, the British Mandate for Palestine was established, marking the beginning of British administration over the region following World War I.
1922: League of Nations Grants Mandate for Palestine
In 1922, the League of Nations granted Britain the Mandate for Palestine, including provisions for a Jewish national home as outlined in the Balfour Declaration.
1923: End of Third Aliyah
The Third Aliyah ended in 1923.
1924: Fourth Aliyah
The Fourth Aliyah, another wave of Jewish immigration, started in 1924 and continued until 1929, bringing an additional 100,000 Jews to Palestine.
1929: End of Fourth Aliyah
The Fourth Aliyah concluded in 1929.
1936: Arab Revolt in Palestine
The rise of Nazism and increasing persecution of Jews in Europe led to the Fifth Aliyah, with a quarter million Jews immigrating to Palestine, which was a major cause of the 1936-39 Arab revolt. The revolt involved significant intercommunal fighting among the Arabs and was suppressed by British security forces and Zionist militias.
1939: White Paper Restricts Jewish Immigration
In 1939, the British government issued the White Paper, which imposed restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine.
1942: Record High Temperature
In 1942, the highest temperature in the world outside Africa and North America, 54 °C (129 °F), was recorded in the Tirat Zvi kibbutz in the northern Jordan River valley.
July 1946: Irgun Bombing of King David Hotel
On July 1946, the Irgun bombed the King David Hotel, the British administrative headquarters for Palestine, resulting in the deaths of 91 people.
February 1947: British Referral of Palestine Issue to UN
In February 1947, the British government referred the Palestine issue to the newly established United Nations.
May 1947: UN Resolution for Special Committee on Palestine
The UN General Assembly passed a resolution in May 1947 to establish a Special Committee tasked with preparing a report on the question of Palestine.
July 1947: Escalation of Jewish Insurgency
July 1947 saw a peak in the Jewish insurgency against British rule, with widespread guerrilla raids culminating in the Sergeants affair.
September 1947: British Decision to Evacuate Palestine
In September 1947, the British cabinet made the decision to evacuate Palestine due to the untenable nature of the Mandate.
1947: UN Partition Plan
The United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine in 1947, aiming to create independent Arab and Jewish states, but this plan was met with conflict and ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of war.
May 1948: Establishment of the State of Israel
On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel declared its independence, marking a pivotal moment in the region's history and leading to immediate conflict with neighboring Arab states.
1948: Adoption of the name 'State of Israel'
Upon its establishment in 1948, the country formally adopted the name 'State of Israel', after considering other options such as 'Land of Israel', 'Ever', 'Zion', and 'Judea'.
1948: Formal state of war between Israel and Syria
Since 1948, Israel has been formally in a state of war with Syria.
1948: Establishment of Israel and Language Policies
In 1948, Israel was established, and Hebrew was promoted as the primary language of the state. This reflected the Zionist movement's pre-1948 opposition to Yiddish, aiming for Hebrew's revival as a unifying national language.
1948: Forest Coverage at 2%
In 1948, forests constituted only 2% of Israel's land area.
1948: Israel's Population Retention Since 1948
Since 1948, Israel has maintained or exceeded its population retention rate compared to other nations with large-scale immigration.
1948: Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War resulted in a Palestinian refugee crisis, with many fleeing to the West Bank.
1948: Founding of the IDF
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was founded during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War by consolidating paramilitary organizations—chiefly the Haganah.
1949: Turkey Recognizes Israel
Turkey recognized the state of Israel in 1949.
1949: Armistice Agreements
The 1949 Armistice Agreements were signed.
1949: Armistice Agreements
The 1949 Armistice Agreements brought an end to the First Arab-Israeli War, establishing Israel's control over a significant portion of former Mandatory Palestine.
1949: 1949 Armistice Agreements
The 1949 Armistice Agreements demarcated the sovereign territory of Israel, excluding territories captured during the 1967 Six-Day War, to be approximately 20,770 square kilometers.
1950: Jordan Annexes West Bank
Following the 1949 Armistice Agreements, Jordan occupied and annexed the West Bank. Only Britain recognized this annexation, and Jordan has since ceded its claim to the territory to the PLO.
1950: Law of Return
The Law of Return was passed in 1950, granting Jews the unrestricted right to immigrate to Israel and obtain Israeli citizenship.
1952: Citizenship Law
The Citizenship Law was passed in 1952, stating individuals born within the country receive birthright citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen.
1953: State Education Law
The State Education Law of 1953 established five types of schools in Israel: state secular, state religious, ultra-orthodox, communal settlement schools, and Arab schools.
1955: Israel's Foreign Aid Programme
Israel began its foreign aid program in 1955 in Burma.
1957: Establishment of Mashav
In 1957, Israel's humanitarian efforts officially began with the establishment of Mashav, the Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.
1958: Basic Law: The Knesset
The Basic Law: The Knesset was passed in 1958. It and its amendments prevent a party list from running for election to the Knesset if its objectives or actions include the 'negation of the existence of the State of Israel as the state of the Jewish people'.
1962: Start of Foreign Assistance Act
The Foreign Assistance Act, which provides aid to foreign countries, began in 1962.
1964: Asian Cup Victory
Israel hosted and won the AFC Asian Cup in 1964.
1966: Nobel Prize in Literature for Shmuel Yosef Agnon
In 1966, Shmuel Yosef Agnon, an Israeli author, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, sharing it with German Jewish author Nelly Sachs.
May 1967: Egypt's Actions Leading to the Six-Day War
In May 1967, Egypt increased military presence near Israel's border, removed UN peacekeepers stationed in the Sinai Peninsula since 1957, and blocked Israel's access to the Red Sea. Other Arab states also mobilized their forces.
1967: Severing of Diplomatic Relations
In 1967, diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union were broken following the Six-Day War.
1967: Six-Day War
Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War.
1967: Six-Day War
Israel captured additional territories during the 1967 Six-Day War, which are not included in the 1949 Armistice Agreements demarcation of Israel's sovereign territory.
1967: Six-Day War
In 1967, the Six-Day War resulted in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, and Syrian Golan Heights.
1967: Deterioration of Relations After Six-Day War
Following the 1967 war, relations with countries receiving aid from Israel soured.
1967: Six-Day War
In 1967, as a result of the Six-Day War, Israel captured and occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights.
1967: War of Attrition and Palestinian Attacks
Following the 1967 Six-Day War and the Arab League's "Three Nos" resolution, Israel faced attacks from Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula during the War of Attrition (1967-1970) and from Palestinian groups targeting Israelis.
1967: Israel occupies the Gaza Strip
After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel occupied the Gaza Strip.
1968: Hosting the Paralympic Games
Israel hosted the 1968 Summer Paralympics.
1970: World Cup Qualification
In 1970, the Israel national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first and only time.
1972: Munich Massacre and Israeli Response
In 1972, Palestinian groups, notably the PLO established in 1964, carried out attacks, including the massacre of Israeli athletes at the Munich Summer Olympics. Israel retaliated with an assassination campaign against those responsible, a bombing, and a raid on the PLO headquarters in Lebanon.
October 1973: Yom Kippur War
On October 6, 1973, the Egyptian and Syrian armies launched a surprise attack on Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights, initiating the Yom Kippur War. The war ended on October 25th with Israel repelling the attacks but experiencing significant losses.
1973: Yom Kippur War
The 1973 Yom Kippur War marked another significant conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors, with significant geopolitical consequences.
1973: Israel's Participation in Eurovision Song Contest
Israel began participating in the Eurovision Song Contest almost every year since 1973, winning four times and hosting twice.
1974: Exclusion from Asian Games
The 1974 Asian Games, held in Tehran, were the last Asian Games that Israel participated in, due to Arab countries refusing to compete with Israel.
1974: United States as Notable Contributor of Military Aid
The United States has been a particularly notable contributor of military aid to Israel since 1974.
1975: Peak Military Expenditure
Military expenditure in Israel reached a peak of 30.3% of the country's gross domestic product in 1975.
July 1976: Entebbe Hostage Rescue
In July 1976, Palestinian guerrillas hijacked an airliner traveling from Israel to France, landing in Entebbe, Uganda. Israeli commandos successfully rescued 102 out of the 106 Israeli hostages.
1977: Likud Party's Rise to Power
The 1977 Knesset elections marked a significant change in Israeli politics as Menachem Begin's Likud party won, ending the Labor Party's long-standing rule.
March 1978: Coastal Road Massacre and Israeli Invasion of Lebanon
In March 1978, a PLO guerrilla raid from Lebanon resulted in the Coastal Road massacre. Israel responded by invading southern Lebanon to eliminate PLO bases.
1978: Camp David Accords
Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat traveled to Israel in 1977, marking the first time an Arab head of state recognized Israel. In 1978, Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Accords, paving the way for peace.
1978: Exclusion from Asian Games
Israel was excluded from the 1978 Asian Games and has not competed in Asian sport events since.
1979: Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty
In 1979, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty, with Israel agreeing to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula and engage in negotiations for Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
1979: Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty
In 1979, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt as part of the Egypt–Israel peace treaty.
1980: Jerusalem Law and International Controversy
In 1980, Israel passed the Jerusalem Law, which some interpreted as reaffirming the 1967 annexation of Jerusalem. This reignited international debate over the city's status.
June 1981: Destruction of Iraqi Nuclear Reactor
On June 7, 1981, during the Iran-Iraq War, the Israeli air force destroyed Iraq's only nuclear reactor to thwart its nuclear weapons program.
1981: Annexation of Golan Heights
Israel effectively annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move widely rejected by the international community, with the UN Security Council declaring it null and void.
1982: Occupation of Southern Lebanon
Between 1982 and 2000, Israel occupied part of southern Lebanon, in what was known as the Security Belt.
1982: Israeli Invasion of Lebanon and Sabra and Shatila Massacre
In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon to dismantle PLO bases after a series of PLO attacks. While successful in defeating PLO and Syrian forces, the Sabra and Shatila massacre occurred, leading to an inquiry and Ariel Sharon's resignation.
1985: Start of IDF Search and Rescue Delegations
Between 1985 and 2015, Israel sent 24 delegations of IDF search and rescue unit, the Home Front Command, to 22 countries.
1985: Bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunisia
In 1985, Israel retaliated against a Palestinian terrorist attack in Cyprus by bombing the PLO headquarters in Tunisia.
1986: Partial Withdrawal from Lebanon and Hezbollah Conflict
Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon in 1986 but retained a buffer zone in southern Lebanon until 2000, where conflicts with Hezbollah arose.
1987: Establishment of Red Sea Jazz Festival
Eilat, Israel, started hosting its own international music festival, the Red Sea Jazz Festival, annually every summer since 1987.
1987: The First Intifada
The First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule, began in 1987 with widespread demonstrations and violence in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. Over the next six years, it became more organized, incorporating economic and cultural resistance.
1988: First Arab-led Party Established
The first Arab-led party in Israel was established in 1988.
1988: Israel Launches its First Space Launch Vehicle
In 1988, Israel launched Shavit, its first space launch vehicle, becoming the eighth nation to have a space launch capability.
1990: Immigration from Post-Soviet States
Between 1990 and 1994, a significant wave of immigration from post-Soviet states increased Israel's population by twelve percent.
1990: Influx of Russian-Speaking Immigrants
Between 1990 and 2004, over one million Russian-speaking immigrants arrived in Israel, making Russian a widely spoken language in the country.
1990: Low Motor Vehicle Ownership and Train Passenger Numbers in Israel
In 1990, Israel had a relatively low number of motor vehicles per capita for a developed country, with 365 vehicles per 1,000 people. Additionally, railways transported 2.5 million passengers this year.
October 1991: Renewal of Diplomatic Relations
In October 1991, diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union were renewed after being broken in 1967 following the Six-Day War.
1991: Establishment of Full Diplomatic Relations with Turkey
Although Turkey had cooperated with Israel since recognizing it in 1949, full diplomatic relations were not established until 1991.
1991: PLO Support for Iraq in Gulf War
During the 1991 Gulf War, the PLO sided with Saddam Hussein and Iraqi missile attacks on Israel. Despite public anger, Israel, under US pressure, chose not to retaliate.
1991: Requirement for Security Rooms
Since the Gulf War in 1991, all homes in Israel are required to have a reinforced security room, Merkhav Mugan, impermeable to chemical and biological substances.
1992: Yitzhak Rabin Elected Prime Minister
In 1992, Yitzhak Rabin was elected Prime Minister of Israel following an election in which his party campaigned for a compromise with Israel's neighbors.
1992: First Olympic Medal
Israel won its first Olympic medal in 1992.
1992: Establishment of Full Diplomatic Ties with India
India established full diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992 and has fostered a strong military, technological and cultural partnership with the country since then.
1993: Israel–PLO Letters of Recognition
Since the signing of the Israel–PLO letters of recognition in 1993, most of the Palestinian population and cities have been under the internal jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
1993: Report on Weapons of Mass Destruction
A 1993 report stated that Israel possessed chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.
1994: Immigration from Post-Soviet States
Between 1990 and 1994, a significant wave of immigration from post-Soviet states increased Israel's population by twelve percent.
1994: Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty
The Israel–Jordan peace treaty was signed in 1994, making Jordan the second Arab country to formally normalize relations with Israel.
1994: UEFA Admission
UEFA agreed to admit Israel into its organization in 1994, allowing Israeli football teams to compete in Europe.
November 1995: Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
In November 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, a far-right Jew who opposed the Oslo Accords.
1995: Improvement in Greek-Israeli Relations
Relations between Greece and Israel have improved since 1995 due to the decline of Israeli–Turkish relations.
1999: Ehud Barak Elected Prime Minister
Ehud Barak was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1999. He withdrew Israeli forces from Southern Lebanon and initiated negotiations with PNA Chairman Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton.
2000: Early References to Canaanites
Around 2000 BCE, early references to "Canaanites" and "Canaan" appeared in Near Eastern and Egyptian texts, describing these populations as politically independent city-states.
2000: Camp David Summit
In 2000, Ehud Barak conducted negotiations with PNA Chairman Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton at the Camp David Summit. Barak offered a plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state, but the talks ultimately failed.
2000: End of the Occupation of Southern Lebanon
In 2000, Israel ended its occupation of Southern Lebanon.
2000: End of Israeli Occupation of Southern Lebanon
Israel withdrew from its buffer zone in southern Lebanon in 2000, ending its occupation there, but conflict with Hezbollah continued.
2000: Formal state of war between Israel and Lebanon
Since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 2000, Israel has remained in a formal state of war with Lebanon. The border between the two nations is yet to be determined by treaty.
2000: Second Intifada Begins
The Second Intifada, a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence, began in late 2000 following a controversial visit by Likud leader Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount.
2001: Palestinian Journalist Deaths
Since 2001, over fifty Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israel, according to Reporters Without Borders.
2001: Ariel Sharon Elected Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister of Israel in a 2001 election. He carried out his plan to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip and spearheaded the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier.
2001: Amendment to National Library Deposit Law
In 2001, the law requiring deposit of printed materials in the National Library of Israel was amended to include audio, video, and other non-print media.
2002: Release of Films Addressing Arab-Israeli Conflict
In 2002, Palestinian Israeli filmmakers, including Mohammed Bakri, released films like "Jenin, Jenin" and "The Syrian Bride" that explored the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian life within Israel.
2003: Ilan Ramon Becomes Israel's First Astronaut
In 2003, Ilan Ramon became Israel's first astronaut, serving on the fatal mission of Space Shuttle Columbia.
2003: Drafting of Official Constitution Begins
In 2003, the Knesset began to draft an official constitution based on the existing Basic Laws of Israel.
2003: United States as Largest Provider of Aid
Until 2003, the United States provided more military and grant assistance to Israel than any other country since 1962.
2004: Olympic Gold in Windsurfing
Israel won a gold medal in windsurfing at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
2004: Six Nobel Prize-Winning Scientists from Israel
Since 2004, Israel has produced six Nobel Prize-winning scientists.
2004: End of Large-Scale Russian Immigration
The period of large-scale Russian immigration to Israel concluded in 2004, after over a decade of significant influx.
2004: Israel Begins Producing Natural Gas
Israel began producing natural gas from its own offshore gas fields in 2004.
2004: International Court of Justice rules on Israeli West Bank barrier
In 2004, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the lands captured by Israel in the Six-Day War, including East Jerusalem, are occupied territory. The court also found the construction of the Israeli West Bank barrier within the occupied Palestinian territory to be a violation of international law.
2005: Israel implements disengagement plan in Gaza
In 2005, Israel removed its settlers and forces from the Gaza Strip as part of a unilateral disengagement plan. However, Israel continued to maintain control over Gaza's airspace and waters.
2005: World Team Chess Championship
Israel hosted the World Team Chess Championship in 2005.
2005: Gaza Strip Settlement Evacuation
As part of its disengagement plan in 2005, the Israeli government evacuated approximately 7,800 Israelis from settlements in the Gaza Strip known as Gush Katif.
2006: Second Lebanon War
In 2006, a Hezbollah artillery assault on Israel's northern border communities and a cross-border abduction of two Israeli soldiers precipitated the month-long Second Lebanon War.
2007: German Reparations
By 2007, Germany had paid 25 billion euros in reparations to the Israeli state and individual Israeli Holocaust survivors.
2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza, Israel tightens blockade
Following the Battle of Gaza in 2007, Hamas assumed power in the Gaza Strip. This led to Israel tightening its control over the Gaza crossings and implementing a land, air, and sea blockade, restricting movement in and out of the territory.
2007: Earthquake Safety Concerns
In 2007, despite stringent construction regulations and earthquake-safe new buildings, many public and 50,000 residential buildings didn't meet safety standards and were deemed vulnerable to collapse in a strong earthquake.
2007: Destruction of Syrian Nuclear Reactor
In 2007, the Israeli Air Force destroyed a nuclear reactor in Syria.
2008: Chess Olympiad Silver Medal
The Israeli chess team won the silver medal at the 2008 Chess Olympiad.
2008: Countries cut ties with Israel following Gaza War
As a result of the 2008–09 Gaza War, Mauritania, Qatar, Bolivia, and Venezuela suspended political and economic ties with Israel.
2008: Collapse of Hamas-Israel Ceasefire
In 2008, a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel collapsed.
2008: Downturn in Turkish-Israeli Relations
Relations between Turkey and Israel took a downturn after the 2008–09 Gaza War and Israel's raid of the Gaza flotilla.
2008: End of Second Intifada
The Second Intifada ended in 2008. Between 2000 and 2008, the conflict resulted in the deaths of 1,063 Israelis, 5,517 Palestinians, and 64 foreign citizens.
2009: Tamar Natural Gas Reserve Discovered
In 2009, a natural gas reserve, Tamar, was found near the coast of Israel.
2009: Chess World Cup Victory
Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand won the Chess World Cup in 2009.
2009: End of 2008-2009 Gaza War
The 2008–2009 Gaza War lasted three weeks and ended in 2009 after Israel announced a unilateral ceasefire. Hamas announced its own ceasefire with conditions for complete withdrawal and the opening of border crossings.
2010: Joint Military Exercise
In 2010, the Israeli Air Force hosted Greece's Hellenic Air Force in a joint military exercise.
2010: Israel joins OECD
Israel became a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2010, signifying its economic growth and development on the global stage.
2010: Chess Olympiad Bronze Medal
The Israeli chess team won the bronze medal at the 2010 Chess Olympiad, coming in third among 148 teams.
2010: Leviathan Natural Gas Reserve Discovered
In 2010, a second natural gas reserve, Leviathan, was discovered near the coast of Israel.
2010: Israel Joins OECD
In 2010, Israel joined the OECD.
2011: Israel's Water Technology Industry Worth $2 Billion
In 2011, Israel's water technology industry was worth around $2 billion a year with annual exports of products and services in the tens of millions of dollars.
2011: Construction of Ketura Sun Solar Field
In 2011, Israel's first commercial solar field, Ketura Sun, was built by the Arava Power Company. It consists of 18,500 photovoltaic panels and is expected to produce about 9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year, saving an estimated 125,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over two decades.
June 2012: African Migrant Influx into Israel
By June 2012, approximately 60,000 African migrants had entered Israel.
2012: Israel Ranks Ninth in the Futron's Space Competitiveness Index
In 2012, Israel was ranked ninth in the world by the Futron's Space Competitiveness Index.
2012: High Number of Academic Degrees Per Capita
In 2012, Israel ranked third globally in the number of academic degrees per capita, with 20% of the population holding degrees.
2012: Eight-Day Gaza Operation
In 2012, Israel began an eight-day operation in the Gaza Strip, citing Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israeli cities as justification.
2013: Commercial Production Begins at Tamar Field
Israel began commercial production of natural gas from the Tamar field in 2013.
2013: Israel's Electric Car Company Better Place Shuts Down
Israel's electric car company Better Place shut down in 2013.
2013: Reporters Without Borders Includes "Israel Extraterritorial"
Starting in 2013, Reporters Without Borders began including "Israel extraterritorial" in their rankings.
July 2014: Operation Protective Edge
In July 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge in Gaza following an escalation of rocket attacks by Hamas.
2014: Israel Produces Over 7.5 Billion Cubic Meters of Natural Gas
As of 2014, Israel produced over 7.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas a year.
2014: Israel's Desalination Programs Provide 35% of Drinking Water
By 2014, Israel's desalination programs provided roughly 35% of Israel's drinking water.
2015: Kosher Practices in Israel
As of 2015, Roughly half of the Israeli-Jewish population attests to keeping kosher at home, and kosher restaurants made up around a quarter of the total.
2015: High Tertiary Education Attainment
In 2015, Israel ranked third among OECD countries for the percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education (49%), compared to the OECD average of 35%.
2015: Settlers in the Knesset
After the 2015 election, 10 out of 120 members of the Knesset (8%) were settlers residing in the West Bank.
2015: Over 50% of Water Artificially Produced
As of 2015, over 50 percent of the water for Israeli households, agriculture and industry is artificially produced.
2015: End of IDF Search and Rescue Delegations
Between 1985 and 2015, Israel sent 24 delegations of IDF search and rescue unit, the Home Front Command, to 22 countries.
2015: Growth in Train Passenger Numbers in Israel
By 2015, the number of train passengers in Israel had grown significantly to 53 million per year, following major investments in the railway system starting in the early to mid-1990s.
2015: Ben Gurion Airport Passenger Traffic
In 2015, Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's largest airport, handled over 15 million passengers.
2015: Israel's Net External Debt Surplus
In 2015, Israel had a net external debt surplus of $69 billion.
2016: Life Expectancy in Israel
The average life expectancy in Israel was estimated to be 82.5 years in 2016 by the OECD, ranking it as the 6th highest globally. While Israeli Arab life expectancy is 3 to 4 years shorter, it still surpasses that of many Arab and Muslim countries.
2016: UN Security Council condemns Israeli settlement activity
In 2016, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2334, stating that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a "flagrant violation" of international law. The resolution demanded that Israel cease settlement construction and fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
2016: Memorandum of Understanding for Military Aid
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide Israel with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defense budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2016: Tourism Rebounding in Israel
In 2016, the number of tourists visiting Israel was on the rebound despite security concerns.
2016: Israel Has 199 Billion Cubic Meters of Proven Natural Gas Reserves
Israel had 199 billion bcm of proven reserves of natural gas as of 2016.
2016: Dominance of Hebrew in Published Books
In 2016, 89% of the 7,300 books deposited in the National Library of Israel were in Hebrew, reflecting the language's dominance in Israeli literature.
2016: Forest Coverage Reaches 8.5%
By 2016, forests accounted for 8.5% of Israel's land area, a significant increase from the 2% coverage in 1948, attributed to a large-scale forest planting program by the Jewish National Fund.
2016: Survey of Jewish Religious Affiliation
A 2016 Pew Research survey found that 49% of Israeli Jews identified as secular, 29% as traditional, 13% as religious, and 9% as ultra-Orthodox.
2016: Israeli Settlers Beyond the Green Line
In 2016, over 600,000 Israelis lived beyond the Green Line, representing roughly 10% of the Jewish Israeli population. This included 399,300 Israelis in West Bank settlements, over 200,000 Jews in East Jerusalem, and 22,000 in the Golan Heights.
2017: Record Tourism in Israel
A record 3.6 million tourists visited Israel in 2017, a 25 percent increase from 2016, contributing NIS 20 billion to the Israeli economy.
2017: Freedom of the Press Report
In 2017, the Freedom of the Press annual report by Freedom House ranked Israel as the Middle East and North Africa's most free country, and 64th globally. In the same year, the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, placed Israel 91st out of 180 countries.
2017: Arab Citizen Identity in Israel
In a 2017 poll, 40% of Arab citizens of Israel identified as "Arab in Israel" or "Arab citizen of Israel," while other identities such as "Palestinian" and variations of "Palestinian in Israel" received lower percentages. Additionally, another poll revealed that 60% of Israeli Arabs hold a positive view of the state.
July 2018: Nation State of the Jewish People
In July 2018, the Knesset passed a Basic Law that characterizes the State of Israel as principally a 'Nation State of the Jewish People', and Hebrew as its official language.
2018: Cities in Israel
As of 2018, Israel had 16 cities with populations exceeding 100,000, and the Ministry of the Interior granted 77 Israeli localities "municipalities" (or "city") status, including four located in the West Bank.
2018: Change in Arabic Language Status
In 2018, Arabic's status as an official language in Israel was downgraded to 'special status'. Previously, Arabic held official language status alongside Hebrew.
2018: World Giving Index Ranking
In 2018, Israel ranked 38th in the World Giving Index.
2018: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People
Legislation passed in 2018 defined Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.
2018: Start of Increased Military Aid from the US
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide Israel with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defense budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2019: Population of East Jerusalem and West Bank Areas
In 2019, the combined population of East Jerusalem and West Bank areas, including areas where Israeli sovereignty is not internationally recognized, was 573,330 inhabitants.
2019: Israel Ranks Fifth in the Bloomberg Innovation Index
Israel ranked fifth in the 2019 Bloomberg Innovation Index.
2019: Bolivia renews ties with Israel
In 2019, Bolivia renewed diplomatic relations with Israel, which had been suspended following the 2008-2009 Gaza War.
2019: Leviathan Gas Field Begins Production
The Leviathan gas field started production in 2019.
2020: Israel's Imports and Exports Total
In 2020, imports to Israel totaled $96.5 billion, while exports reached $114 billion.
2020: Mortgage Lending in Israel
Israelis took out NIS 77.4 billion in mortgages in 2020.
2020: High School Matriculation Rate
In 2020, 68.7% of Israeli twelfth graders achieved a matriculation certificate, indicating a high rate of completion of secondary education.
May 2021: Gaza-Israel clashes
In May 2021, another round of fighting took place in Gaza and Israel, lasting eleven days.
2021: World Record Temperature Stands
As of 2021, the record high temperature of 54 °C (129 °F), set in 1942, remained the highest temperature in the world outside of Africa and North America.
2021: Military Expenditure Ranking
In 2021, Israel ranked 15th in the world by total military expenditure, with $24.3 billion, and 6th by defense spending as a percentage of GDP, with 5.2%.
2021: Increase in scholars labeling Israel's actions as apartheid
A 2021 survey of academic experts on the Middle East showed a rise from 59% to 65% in the number of scholars characterizing Israel as a "one-state reality akin to apartheid." Several Israeli and international human rights groups have also made this claim.
2021: Housing Prices and Mortgage Lending Surge in Israel
Housing prices in Israel rose by 5.6% in 2021, and Israelis took a record NIS 116.1 billion in mortgages, a 50% increase from the previous year. There was a shortage of about 200,000 apartments, and demand continued to exceed supply.
December 2022: Population Demographics of Israel
As of December 2022, Israel's population was estimated at 9,656,000. The government recorded 73.6% of the population as Jewish, 21.1% as Arab, and 5.3% as "Others" (non-Arab Christians and those without a listed religion).
2022: Arab-led Parties Hold 10% of Knesset Seats
As of 2022, Arab-led parties held approximately 10% of the seats in the Knesset.
2022: Property Ownership in Israel
As of 2022, there were approximately 2.7 million properties in Israel, with an annual increase of over 50,000.
2022: Religious Demographics of Israel
In 2022, Israel's religious demographics were 73.6% Jewish, 18.1% Muslim, 1.9% Christian, 1.6% Druze, and 4.8% other faiths or unclassified.
2022: UN experts declare Israel's treatment of Palestinians as apartheid
In 2022, Michael Lynk, the UN Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, stated that the situation met the legal definition of apartheid. Subsequent reports from his successor, Francesca Albanese, and Navi Pillay, chair of the Permanent United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Israel Palestine conflict, echoed this opinion.
2022: The Economist Ranks Israel as 4th Most Successful Economy
In 2022, The Economist ranked Israel as the 4th most successful economy among the developed countries.
2022: Global Arms Exports Ranking
Israel ranked 9th globally for arms exports in 2022.
October 2023: IMF Estimates Israel's GDP and GDP Per Capita
In October 2023, the IMF estimated Israel's GDP at 521.7 billion dollars and Israel's GDP per capita at 53.2 thousand (ranking 13th worldwide).
October 2023: Israel–Hamas War Begins
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian militant groups from Gaza, led by Hamas, launched a series of coordinated attacks on Israel. This marked the start of the Israel–Hamas war. On that day, approximately 1300 Israelis, predominantly civilians, were killed in communities near the Gaza Strip border and during a music festival. Over 200 hostages, including elders, women, and children as young as 9 months, were kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip.
2023: Israel's population reaches almost 10 Million
In 2023, Israel's population neared 10 million, reflecting the country's continued growth and development.
2023: Israel Ranks 14th in the Global Innovation Index
Israel is ranked 14th in the Global Innovation Index in 2023.
2028: Projected Growth of Haredi Population
By 2028, the Haredi Jewish population is projected to represent over 20% of Israel's Jewish population.
2028: End of Increased Military Aid from the US
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide Israel with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defense budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2050: Desalination Expected to Supply 70% of Drinking Water
Desalination is expected to supply 70% of Israel's drinking water by 2050.