History of Israel in Timeline
Israel is a country located in the Southern Levant region of West Asia, bordering Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. It occupies the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. Jerusalem is its government seat and proclaimed capital, while Tel Aviv is the largest urban and economic center. The country's geography includes a Mediterranean coastline, a Red Sea tip, and the Dead Sea.
1904: Second Aliyah Begins
In 1904, the Second Aliyah began after the Kishinev pogrom, leading to the settlement of approximately 40,000 Jews in Palestine.
1907: Bar-Giora militia formed
In 1907, Jewish armed militias emerged during this period, the first being Bar-Giora.
1909: Tel Aviv Established
In 1909, Tel Aviv was established as the first planned Jewish town.
1914: Emigration of Jews
Between 1882 and 1914, three million Jews emigrated due to antisemitism, pogroms and official policies in Tsarist Russia, with only 1% going to Palestine.
1917: Balfour Declaration Secured
In 1917, Chaim Weizmann secured the Balfour Declaration, stating Britain's support for the creation of a Jewish "national home" in Palestine.
1918: Habima Theatre Founded
In 1918, Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv, Israel's oldest repertory theatre company and national theatre, was founded.
1918: Jewish Legion Assists British
In 1918, the Jewish Legion assisted in the British conquest of Palestine.
1919: Third Aliyah Begins
In 1919, the Third Aliyah began, bringing additional Jews to Palestine.
1920: British Mandate Begins
In 1920, the British Mandate for Palestine began, with the entire region known as Palestine.
1920: Mandatory Palestine Established
In 1920, the territory was divided between Britain and France under the mandate system, and the British-administered area (including modern Israel) was named Mandatory Palestine.
1922: League of Nations Grants Mandate
In 1922, the League of Nations granted Britain the Mandate for Palestine under terms which included the Balfour Declaration.
1923: Third Aliyah Ends
In 1923, the Third Aliyah ended with additional Jews arriving in Palestine.
1924: Fourth Aliyah Begins
In 1924, the Fourth Aliyah began, bringing additional Jews to Palestine.
1929: Fourth Aliyah Ends
In 1929, the Fourth Aliyah ended with additional Jews arriving in Palestine.
1936: Arab Revolt Begins
In 1936, the Arab revolt began, suppressed by British security forces and Zionist militias.
1939: White Paper Introduced
In 1939, the British introduced restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine with the White Paper.
1942: Highest temperature recorded
In 1942, the highest temperature of 54 °C (129 °F) was recorded in the Tirat Zvi kibbutz.
July 1946: Irgun bombs British headquarters
On 22 July 1946, Irgun bombed the British administrative headquarters for Palestine, killing 91 people.
February 1947: British Refer Palestine Issue to UN
In February 1947, the British referred the Palestine issue to the newly formed United Nations.
May 1947: UN Creates Special Committee on Palestine
On 15 May 1947, the UN General Assembly resolved that a Special Committee be created to prepare a report on the question of Palestine.
July 1947: Jewish insurgency peaked
In July 1947, the Jewish insurgency peaked, with a series of widespread guerrilla raids culminating in the Sergeants affair.
September 1947: British Cabinet Decides to Evacuate
In September 1947, the British cabinet decided to evacuate Palestine as the Mandate was no longer tenable.
November 1947: UN Adopts Partition Plan
On 29 November 1947, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 (II), approving the partition plan.
December 1947: Arab Higher Committee Proclaims Strike
On 1 December 1947, the Arab Higher Committee proclaimed a three-day strike, and riots broke out in Jerusalem, leading to civil war.
1947: Jewish insurgency continues
In 1947, the Jewish insurgency continued despite British efforts to suppress it.
1947: UN Partition Plan
In 1947, the United Nations (UN) proposed a Partition Plan for Palestine, leading to a civil war due to conflicting interests between Arabs and Jews.
April 1948: Haganah Moves to Offensive
In April 1948, the Haganah moved onto the offensive against Arab militias and gangs.
May 1948: British Mandate Ends
In May 1948, Colonial Secretary Arthur Creech Jones announced that the British Mandate would end on 15 May 1948, and the British would evacuate.
May 1948: Independence Declared
In May 1948, Israel declared its independence as the British Mandate ended, immediately followed by an invasion by Arab states.
May 1948: Declaration of Jewish State
On 14 May 1948, the day before the expiration of the British Mandate, David Ben-Gurion declared "the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel".
1948: Influx of Jewish Immigrants
In 1948, Israel experienced an influx of Holocaust survivors and Jews from Arab and Muslim countries.
1948: Forest coverage in Israel
In 1948, forests accounted for 2% of the area in Israel, up to 8.5% in 2016 as the result of a large-scale forest planting programme.
1948: State of Israel Established
In 1948, the country formally adopted the name State of Israel, after considering and rejecting other names.
1948: State of war with Syria
Israel remains formally in a state of war with Syria, dating back uninterrupted to 1948.
1948: Opposition to Yiddish
Prior to 1948, opposition to Yiddish, was common among supporters of the Zionist movement.
1948: Retention of Israel's population since 1948
Retention of Israel's population since 1948 is about even or greater, when compared to other countries with mass immigration.
1948: Founding of the IDF
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) was founded during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War by consolidating paramilitary organisations, chiefly the Haganah.
May 1949: Israel Admitted to UN
On 11 May 1949, Israel was admitted as a member of the UN by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 273.
1949: Armistice Expands Israel
In 1949, an armistice expanded Israel's territory beyond the original UN plan, while no new Arab state was created.
1949: Green Line Established
In 1949, the Green Line became the administrative boundary between Israel and the occupied territories.
1949: Demarcation lines of the 1949 Armistice Agreements
The sovereign territory of Israel, according to the demarcation lines of the 1949 Armistice Agreements, is approximately 20,770 square kilometers.
1949: Turkey recognition of Israel
Turkey has cooperated with the Jewish state since its recognition of Israel in 1949.
1950: Law of Return
The 1950 Law of Return grants Jews the unrestricted right to immigrate to Israel and obtain Israeli citizenship.
1952: Ma'abarot Tent Cities
By 1952, over 200,000 people were living in temporary camps known as ma'abarot, which were tent cities.
1953: Mossad LeAliyah Bet Disbanded
In 1953, Mossad LeAliyah Bet was disbanded.
1953: State Education Law established
In 1953, the State Education Law established five types of schools in Israel: state secular, state religious, ultra orthodox, communal settlement schools, and Arab schools.
1955: Start of foreign aid program
In 1955 Israel began its foreign aid programme in Burma and then shifted to Africa.
1956: Suez Crisis
In 1956, Israel, in alliance with the UK and France, attacked Egypt during the Suez Crisis, overrunning the Sinai Peninsula. The war was prompted by the continued blockade of the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, increasing fedayeen attacks, and threatening statements from Arab nations. The UN pressured Israel to withdraw in return for guarantees of Israeli shipping rights.
1957: Establishment of Mashav
Israel's humanitarian efforts officially began in 1957 with the establishment of Mashav, the Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.
1957: UN Peacekeepers in Sinai Peninsula
Since 1957, UN peacekeepers were stationed in the Sinai Peninsula.
1958: Population Rise to Two Million
By 1958, Israel's population had risen to two million due to the influx of Jewish immigrants.
1962: Start of Foreign Assistance Act
Since 1962, under the Foreign Assistance Act, the US has provided $68 billion in military assistance and $32 billion in grants to Israel .
1963: Diplomatic Standoff with the United States
In 1963, Israel was engaged in a diplomatic standoff with the United States in relation to the Israeli nuclear programme.
1964: Arab Countries Attempt to Divert Jordan River Waters
In 1964, Arab countries, concerned about Israeli plans to divert waters from the Jordan River, attempted to divert the headwaters, leading to tensions with Israel.
1964: Establishment of the PLO
In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was established, committing itself to armed struggle to liberate the homeland.
1964: Israel Wins AFC Asian Cup
Israel hosted and won the 1964 AFC Asian Cup.
1966: Deterioration of Israeli-Arab Relations
By 1966, Israeli-Arab relations had deteriorated, resulting in battles between Israeli and Arab forces.
1966: Shmuel Yosef Agnon Wins Nobel Prize
In 1966, Shmuel Yosef Agnon shared the Nobel Prize in Literature with Nelly Sachs.
1967: Six-Day War
After the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza, Egyptian Sinai, and annexed East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan Heights.
1967: Break in diplomatic relations with Soviet Union
Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Soviet Union were broken in 1967 following the Six-Day War.
1967: War of Attrition Begins
Following the 1967 war and the "Three Nos" resolution of the Arab League, Israel faced attacks from the Egyptians in the Sinai Peninsula during the 1967–1970 War of Attrition.
1967: Relations soured with Africa
Following the 1967 war relations soured between Israel and Africa. Israel's foreign aid programme subsequently shifted its focus to Latin America.
1967: Start of Israeli military administration in the West Bank
From their occupation in 1967 until 1993, the Palestinians living in the West Bank were under Israeli military administration.
1967: Capture of territories
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. Israel also captured the Sinai Peninsula.
1967: Golan Heights
Israel captured and occupied the Golan Heights in 1967, and continues to occupy it to the present day.
1967: Occupation of the Gaza Strip
The Gaza Strip was occupied by Israel after 1967.
1968: Summer Paralympics Hosted by Israel
The 1968 Summer Paralympics were hosted by Israel.
1970: Relocation of Jewish Refugees
Between 1948 and 1970, approximately 1,150,000 Jewish refugees relocated to Israel.
1970: War of Attrition Ends
Following the 1967 war and the "Three Nos" resolution of the Arab League, Israel faced attacks from the Egyptians in the Sinai Peninsula during the 1967–1970 War of Attrition.
1970: Israel Qualifies for FIFA World Cup
In 1970, the Israel national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the only time it participated.
1972: Munich Massacre
In 1972, Palestinian groups launched attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, including a massacre of Israeli athletes at the Summer Olympics in Munich. The Israeli government responded with an assassination campaign against the organisers of the massacre, a bombing and a raid on the PLO headquarters in Lebanon.
October 1973: Yom Kippur War
On 6 October 1973, the Egyptian and Syrian armies launched a surprise attack against Israeli forces in the Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights, opening the Yom Kippur War. The war ended on 25 October with Israel repelling Egyptian and Syrian forces but suffering great losses.
1973: Israel Participates in Eurovision Song Contest
In 1973, Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time.
1973: Yom Kippur War
The events of 2023 were the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
1974: Start of US military aid contribution
Since 1974, the United States has been a particularly notable contributor of military aid.
1974: Last Asian Games Participation
The 1974 Asian Games in Tehran were the last Asian Games in which Israel participated due to Arab countries refusing to compete with Israel.
1975: Peak military expenditure
In 1975, military expenditure constituted a peak of 30.3% of Israel's GDP.
June 1976: Air France Flight 139 Hijacking
On 27 June 1976, Air France Flight 139 was hijacked in flight from Israel to France by Palestinian guerrillas; Israeli commandos rescued 102 of 106 Israeli hostages days later.
1977: Likud Party Takes Control
The 1977 Knesset elections marked a major turning point in Israeli political history as Menachem Begin's Likud party took control from the Labour Party. Later that year, Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat made a trip to Israel and spoke before the Knesset in what was the first recognition of Israel by an Arab head of state.
March 1978: Coastal Road Massacre and Invasion of Southern Lebanon
On 11 March 1978, a PLO guerilla raid from Lebanon led to the Coastal Road massacre. Israel responded by launching an invasion of southern Lebanon to destroy PLO bases.
1978: Camp David Accords
In 1978, Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Accords.
1978: Exclusion from Asian Games
Israel was excluded from the 1978 Asian Games.
1979: Egypt-Israel peace treaty
In 1979, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt as part of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
1979: Peace with Egypt
In 1979, Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt, with the Sinai being returned in 1982.
1980: Jerusalem Law
The 1980 Jerusalem Law was believed by some to reaffirm Israel's 1967 annexation of Jerusalem by government decree and reignited international controversy over the status of the city.
1981: Annexation of the Golan Heights
In 1981 Israel effectively annexed the Golan Heights. The international community largely rejected these moves, with the UN Security Council declaring both the Jerusalem Law and the Golan Heights Law null and void.
1982: Occupation of southern Lebanon
Between 1982 and 2000, Israel occupied part of southern Lebanon, known as the Security Belt.
1982: Invasion of Lebanon
Following a series of PLO attacks in 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon to destroy the PLO bases. An Israeli government inquiry held Begin and several Israeli generals indirectly responsible for the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
1982: Sinai Returned to Egypt
In 1982, as part of the 1979 peace treaty, Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
1985: Home Front Command delegations sent to various countries
Between 1985 and 2015, Israel sent 24 delegations of their search and rescue unit the Home Front Command to 22 countries.
1986: Withdrawal from Most of Lebanon
Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon in 1986 but continued to occupy a borderland buffer zone in southern Lebanon until 2000.
1987: Red Sea Jazz Festival
Since 1987, Eilat has hosted the Red Sea Jazz Festival every summer.
1987: First Intifada
The First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule, broke out in 1987, with waves of uncoordinated demonstrations and violence in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
1988: First Shavit launch
In 1988, Israel launched Shavit for the first time, becoming the eighth nation to have a space launch capability.
1990: Immigration from Post-Soviet States
Between 1990 and 1994, immigration from the post-Soviet states increased Israel's population by twelve per cent.
1990: 2.5 million train passengers per year
In 1990, Israel had 2.5 million train passengers per year before major investments in railways.
1990: Mass immigration from the former Soviet Union
In 1990, Mass immigration from the former Soviet Union started.
1991: Full diplomatic relations with Turkey
Although Turkey and Israel did not establish full diplomatic relations until 1991, Turkey has cooperated with Israel since its recognition of Israel in 1949.
1991: Renewal of diplomatic relations with Soviet Union
Diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union were renewed in 1991 after having been broken in 1967.
1991: Gulf War and Iraqi Missile Attacks
During the 1991 Gulf War, the PLO supported Saddam Hussein and Iraqi missile attacks against Israel. Despite public outrage, Israel heeded American calls to refrain from hitting back.
1991: Requirement for security rooms in homes
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: Rabin Becomes Prime Minister
In 1992, Yitzhak Rabin became prime minister following an election in which his party called for compromise with Israel's neighbours.
1992: 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: Oslo Accords
In 1993, the Oslo Accords introduced limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza.
1993: Report on chemical and biological weapons
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons and per a 1993 report, chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction.
1993: Israel-PLO letters of recognition
Since the Israel-PLO letters of recognition in 1993, most of the Palestinian population and cities in the West Bank have been under the internal jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, and only partial Israeli military control.
1994: Immigration from Post-Soviet States
Between 1990 and 1994, immigration from the post-Soviet states increased Israel's population by twelve per cent.
1994: Peace with Jordan
In 1994, Israel signed a peace treaty with Jordan.
1994: Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
In 1994, the Israel–Jordan peace treaty was signed, making Jordan the second Arab country to normalise relations with Israel.
November 1995: Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
In November 1995, Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, a far-right Jew who opposed the Oslo Accords.
1995: Improvement in relations with Greece
Relations between Greece and Israel have improved since 1995 after decline of Israeli–Turkish relations.
1999: Barak Elected Prime Minister
Ehud Barak was elected prime minister in 1999, withdrew forces from southern Lebanon and conducted negotiations with PNA Chairman Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton at the 2000 Camp David Summit.
2000: Early references to Canaan
Around 2000 BCE, early references to "Canaan" and "Canaanites" appear in ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian texts.
2000: Camp David Summit
Ehud Barak, elected prime minister in 1999, withdrew forces from southern Lebanon and conducted negotiations with PNA Chairman Yasser Arafat and U.S. President Bill Clinton at the 2000 Camp David Summit. Barak offered a plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state, including the entirety of the Gaza Strip and over 90% of the West Bank with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
2000: End of occupation of southern Lebanon
In 2000, Israel ended its occupation of part of southern Lebanon, which had been known as the Security Belt since 1982.
2000: Second Intifada Begins
In late 2000, the Second Intifada began after a controversial visit by Sharon to the Temple Mount. Palestinian suicide bombings eventually developed into a recurrent feature of the intifada.
2000: Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon
Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon in 1986 but continued to occupy a borderland buffer zone in southern Lebanon until 2000, from where Israeli forces engaged in conflict with Hezbollah.
2001: Sharon Becomes Prime Minister
In 2001, Sharon became prime minister and carried out his plan to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip and spearheaded the construction of the West Bank barrier, ending the intifada.
2002: Mohammad Bakri's Film Jenin, Jenin
In 2002, Mohammad Bakri made the film Jenin, Jenin dealing with the Arab-Israeli conflict and status of Palestinians within Israel.
2003: Ilan Ramon's fatal mission on Space Shuttle Columbia
In 2003, Ilan Ramon became Israel's first astronaut, serving on the fatal mission of Space Shuttle Columbia.
2003: Drafting of an official constitution
In 2003, the Knesset began to draft an official constitution based on the Basic Laws of Israel.
2003: Israel biggest recipient of aid
The US has provided more aid to Israel than any other country for that period until 2003.
2004: Over one million Russian-speaking immigrants arrived in Israel
Between 1990 and 2004, over one million Russian-speaking immigrants arrived in Israel.
2004: Israel began producing natural gas from its own offshore gas fields
In 2004, Israel began producing natural gas from its own offshore gas fields, marking a step towards energy independence.
2004: ICJ advisory opinion on West Bank barrier
In its 2004 advisory opinion on the legality of the construction of the West Bank barrier, the International Court of Justice said that the lands captured by Israel in the Six-Day War, including East Jerusalem, are occupied territory and found that the construction of the wall within the occupied Palestinian territory violates international law.
2004: Gold Medal in Windsurfing
Israel won a gold medal in windsurfing at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
2004: Nobel Prize winners
Since 2004, Israel has produced six Nobel Prize-winning scientists, mostly in chemistry.
2005: Evacuation from settlements in the Gaza Strip
In 2005, Israeli settlers were evacuated from settlements in the Gaza Strip as part of the government's disengagement plan.
2005: Disengagement from Gaza
In 2005, as part of a unilateral disengagement plan, Israel removed its settlers and forces from the Gaza Strip but continues to maintain control of its airspace and waters.
2005: World Team Chess Championship
Israel hosted the World Team Chess Championship in 2005.
October 2006: Withdrawal from Lebanon
In October 2006, Israeli forces mostly withdrew from Lebanon but continued to occupy the Lebanese portion of Ghajar village.
2007: Germany pays reparations to Israel
By 2007, Germany had paid 25 billion euros in reparations to Israel and individual Israeli Holocaust survivors.
2007: Hamas assumes power in Gaza
Following the 2007 Battle of Gaza, when Hamas assumed power in the Gaza Strip, Israel tightened control of the Gaza crossings along its border, as well as by sea and air, and prevented persons from entering and exiting except for isolated cases it deemed humanitarian.
2007: Destruction of Syrian Nuclear Reactor
In 2007 the Israeli Air Force destroyed a nuclear reactor in Syria.
2008: Casualties of the Intifada
Between 2000 and 2008, 1,063 Israelis, 5,517 Palestinians and 64 foreign citizens were killed.
2008: Gaza-Israel conflict
Since 2008, there have been five wars of the Gaza-Israel conflict, the most recent being the deadliest for Palestinians in the entire Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
2009: Tamar gas field discovered near the coast
In 2009, the Tamar gas field was discovered near the coast of Israel, adding to the country's natural gas reserves.
2010: Joint military exercise with Greece
In 2010, the Israeli Air Force hosted Greece's Hellenic Air Force in a joint exercise.
2010: Leviathan gas field discovered
In 2010, the Leviathan gas field was discovered in Israel, further increasing the country's potential for energy security.
2011: Ketura Sun built
In 2011, Israel's first commercial solar field, Ketura Sun, was built by the Arava Power Company.
2011: Israel's water technology industry worth around $2 billion per year
In 2011, Israel's water technology industry was worth around $2 billion per year, with significant exports.
June 2012: Approximately 60,000 African migrants had entered Israel
By June 2012, approximately 60,000 African migrants had entered Israel.
2012: Operation in Gaza
In 2012, Israel began an operation in the Gaza Strip in response to over a hundred Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israeli cities.
2012: Country ranked third in the number of academic degrees per capita
In 2012, Israel ranked third in the number of academic degrees per capita (20 per cent of the population).
2012: Israel ranked ninth in the world by the Futron's Space Competitiveness Index
In 2012, Israel was ranked ninth in the world by the Futron's Space Competitiveness Index, marking its position in the global space industry.
2013: Better Place shut down
In 2013, Israel's electric car company, Better Place, shut down operations, despite the country's investment in electric car infrastructure.
2013: Commercial production of natural gas from the Tamar field began
In 2013, commercial production of natural gas from the Tamar field began, with over 7.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) produced annually.
July 2014: Operation in Gaza
In July 2014, Israel started another operation in Gaza following an escalation of rocket attacks by Hamas.
2014: Desalination programmes provided roughly 35% of the drinking water
By 2014, desalination programmes provided roughly 35% of Israel's drinking water, addressing the country's water shortage.
2015: Settlers in the Knesset
After the 2015 election, 10 of the 120 members of the Knesset (8%) were settlers.
2015: Kosher Restaurants
As of 2015, kosher restaurants make up around a quarter of the total in Israel.
2015: Over 50 per cent of the water for households, agriculture and industry is artificially produced
As of 2015, over 50 percent of the water for households, agriculture, and industry in Israel is artificially produced.
2015: Home Front Command delegations sent to various countries
Between 1985 and 2015, Israel sent 24 delegations of their search and rescue unit the Home Front Command to 22 countries.
2015: 53 million train passengers per year
By 2015, the number of train passengers per year in Israel had grown to 53 million, following major investments in railways.
2015: Israel ranked third among OECD members for tertiary education
In 2015, Israel ranked third among OECD members for the percentage of 25–64-year-olds with tertiary education, at 49%.
2015: External debt
In 2015, Israel's net external debt stood at a surplus of $69 billion.
2016: Survey on religious self-identification of Israeli Jews
A 2016 survey by Pew Research indicates that 49% of Israeli Jews self-identify as Hiloni (secular), 29% as Masorti (traditional), 13% as Dati (religious) and 9% as Haredi (ultra-Orthodox).
2016: Israel has 19,224 kilometres of paved roads and 3 million motor vehicles
As of 2016, Israel had 19,224 kilometers of paved roads and 3 million motor vehicles.
2016: Israel had 199 billion bcm of proven reserves of natural gas
As of 2016, Israel had 199 billion bcm of proven reserves of natural gas.
2016: 399,300 Israelis lived in West Bank settlements
In 2016, 399,300 Israelis lived in West Bank settlements.
2016: Books Published in Hebrew
In 2016, 89% of the 7,300 books transferred to the National Library were in Hebrew.
2016: Forest coverage in Israel
In 2016, forests accounted for 8.5% of the area in Israel, up from 2% in 1948 due to a large-scale forest planting program.
2016: OECD estimated the average life expectancy at 82.5 years
In 2016, the OECD estimated the average life expectancy in Israel at 82.5 years, the 6th-highest in the world.
2016: Memorandum of understanding with the U.S.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide the country with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defence budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2016: UN Security Council Resolution 2334
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, passed in 2016, states that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a "flagrant violation" of international law and demands that Israel stop such activity.
2017: Record 3.6 million tourists visited Israel
In 2017, a record 3.6 million tourists visited Israel, yielding a 25 percent growth since 2016.
2017: Poll results on Arab citizens of Israel
In a 2017 poll, 40% of Arab citizens of Israel identified as 'Arab in Israel' or 'Arab citizen of Israel'.
July 2018: Basic Law: Nation State of the Jewish People
On July 19, 2018, the Knesset passed a Basic Law that characterises Israel as principally a "Nation State of the Jewish People" and Hebrew as its official language.
2018: 77 localities granted municipality status
As of 2018, there were 77 localities granted 'municipalities' (or 'city') status by the Ministry of the Interior in Israel.
2018: Ranking in the World Giving Index
In 2018, Israel ranked 38th in the World Giving Index.
2018: Memorandum of understanding with the U.S.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide the country with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defence budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2018: Arabic downgraded to having a "special status in the state"
Until 2018, Arabic was also an official language; in 2018 it was downgraded to having a 'special status in the state'.
2019: Ranking in the Bloomberg Innovation Index
In 2019, Israel is ranked 5th in the Bloomberg Innovation Index.
2019: Leviathan gas field started production
In 2019, the Leviathan gas field started production, contributing to Israel's natural gas supply.
2020: 68.7% of 12th graders earned a matriculation certificate
In 2020, 68.7% of 12th graders in Israel earned a matriculation certificate.
2020: Imports and exports
In 2020, Israel's imports totalled $96.5 billion, and exports reached $114 billion.
2020: Abraham Accords
In 2020, the Abraham Accords normalized ties between Israel and more Arab states.
2020: Ranking of arms exports
Israel ranked 8th globally for arms exports in 2020–2024.
May 2021: Fighting in Gaza and Israel
In May 2021, another round of fighting took place in Gaza and Israel, lasting eleven days.
2021: Housing prices rose by 5.6%
By 2021 housing prices in Israel rose by 5.6%.
2021: Military expenditure ranking
In 2021, Israel ranked 15th in the world by total military expenditure, with $24.3 billion, and 6th by defence spending as a percentage of GDP, with 5.2%.
2021: Washington Post survey on Israeli apartheid
In 2021, The Washington Post's survey of scholars and academic experts on the Middle East found an increase from 59% to 65% describing Israel as a "one-state reality akin to apartheid".
2022: Arab-led parties in the Knesset
As of 2022, Arab-led parties hold about 10% of seats in the Knesset.
2022: 2.7 million properties in Israel
As of 2022, there were about 2.7 million properties in Israel.
2022: UN Human Rights Council report on Israeli apartheid
In 2022, Michael Lynk, a Canadian law professor appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council said that the situation met the legal definition of apartheid, and concluded: "Israel has imposed upon Palestine an apartheid reality in a post-apartheid world".
2022: Ranking in the Global Peace Index
Israel is consistently rated low in the Global Peace Index, ranking 134th out of 163 nations in 2022.
2022: Ranking of economy
The Economist ranked Israel as the fourth most successful economy among the developed countries for 2022.
2022: Religious affiliation in Israel
The estimated religious affiliation in Israel as of 2022 was 73.5% Jewish, 18.1% Muslim, 1.9% Christian, 1.6% Druze, and 4.9% other.
October 2023: Israel–Hezbollah conflict
From October 2023, there was nearly a year of Israel–Hezbollah conflict due to Hezbollah shooting rockets at Israel to support Hamas in Gaza.
October 2023: Start of Gaza War
On 7 October 2023, Palestinian militant groups from Gaza, led by Hamas, launched a series of coordinated attacks on Israel, leading to the start of the Gaza war. Approximately 1,300 Israelis were killed and over 200 hostages were kidnapped. Studies show the probable PTSD nearly doubled from 16.2% to 29.8% and rates of anxiety and depression also rising sharply.
October 2023: IMF estimation of GDP
As of October 2023, the IMF estimated Israel's GDP at 521.7 billion dollars and GDP per capita at 53.2 thousand.
2023: Gaza War Reporting
During the 2023 Gaza war, Israel has been alleged to be "trying to suppress the reporting coming out of the besieged enclave while disinformation infiltrates its own media ecosystem".
2023: Ben Gurion Airport handled over 21.1 million passengers
In 2023, Ben Gurion Airport handled over 21.1 million passengers, making it the country's main hub for international air travel.
2023: Population in East Jerusalem and West Bank areas: 617,580
In 2023, the population in East Jerusalem and West Bank areas reached a total of 617,580 inhabitants.
February 2024: ICJ hearings and advisory opinion on Israeli practices in occupied Palestinian territory
In February 2024, the ICJ held public hearings regarding the legal consequences of Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. 24 states and three international organizations suggested that Israeli practices constituted a breach of the prohibition of apartheid or amounted to prohibited acts of racial discrimination. The International Court of Justice also released its advisory opinion.
April 2024: Airstrikes on Iran
In April 2024, Israel initiated airstrikes on Iran, after Iranian strikes targeted Israel. This event marked the first time in the 2024 Iran-Israel conflict that the two countries directly exchanged fire.
May 2024: Israel shuts down Al Jazeera offices
In May 2024, Israel shut down the local offices of Al Jazeera.
September 2024: Assassination of Hassan Nasrallah
In September 2024, Israel assassinated Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah.
October 2024: Invasion of Lebanon and missile barrages
In October 2024, Israel invaded Lebanon and exchanged missile barrages with Iran three weeks later, in response of Iranian strikes earlier that month.
November 2024: Ceasefire agreement
A November 2024 ceasefire agreement instructed Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, which Israel mostly did by February 2025, but against the agreement, Israeli forces stayed in five military outposts on highlands in Southern Lebanon.
2024: Freedom House and Press Freedom Index Reports
In 2024, the Freedom House report found Israeli media is "vibrant and free to criticize government policy". Also in 2024, the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders placed Israel 101st of 180 countries.
2024: ICJ advisory opinion on occupation of Palestinian territories
In 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories violated international law. The court recommended that Israel end its occupation as quickly as possible, pay reparations, and that Israel was in breach of article 3 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
2024: Ranking of arms exports
Israel ranked 8th globally for arms exports in 2020–2024.
2024: Seven Medals at Paris Olympics
Israel won seven medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
February 2025: Withdrawal from Lebanon
By February 2025, Israel mostly withdrew from Lebanon following the November 2024 ceasefire agreement; however, Israeli forces remained in five military outposts on highlands in Southern Lebanon, violating the agreement.
April 2025: Population of Israel estimated at 10,094,000
As of April 2025, the population of Israel was an estimated 10,094,000.
June 2025: Renewed airstrikes on Iran
In June 2025, Israel launched a renewed series of airstrikes on Iran, targeting Iran's air defence systems, missile launchers, their military leadership, and their nuclear programme, which escalated into a full-scale war.
2025: Recognition of Somaliland
As of 2025, Israel is the only UN member state to recognize the Republic of Somaliland.
2025: Ranking in the Global Innovation Index
In 2025, Israel is ranked 14th in the Global Innovation Index.
2028: Haredi Jews expected to represent over 20% of the Jewish population
By 2028, Haredi Jews are expected to represent over 20% of the Jewish population in Israel.
2028: Memorandum of understanding with the U.S.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide the country with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defence budget, from 2018 to 2028.
2030: Country aims to have 30% of vehicles on its roads powered by electricity
By 2030, the country aims to have 30% of vehicles on its roads powered by electricity.
2050: Desalination programmes expected to supply 70% of the drinking water
It is expected that by 2050, desalination programmes will supply 70% of Israel's drinking water.
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