Timeline of Jewish History:
Modern Israel & the Diaspora

Saudi government acquires 100% participation interest in Aramco.

The Israeli cabinet affirms the right of Israeli Jews to settle in Hebron.

Embassy of Israel opens in Cairo.

The lira is replaced by the shekel (1 shekel = 10 lirot).

The Security Council adopts a resolution calling on Israel to dismantle existing settlements and discontinue establishing new settlements. The U.S. votes in favor. Later President Carter disavowed the vote saying it was the result of communication failure.

Israel inaugurates commercial air links with Egypt. Israeli and Egyptian officials initial in Cairo a five year cooperation agreement in the spheres of culture, education and science.

An Israel-Egypt civil aviation agreement is initiliated in Tel Aviv.

A contract for the sale of Egyptian oil to Israel is signed in Cairo.

An Israel-Egypt transportation agreement is signed in Tel Aviv regulating sea and land movement of people and goods.

The U.S. vetoes a Security Council draft resolution calling for the creation of a Palestinian state

Terrorists in Hebron kill seven Jewish students and wound 16 others. The mayors of Hebron and Halhoul are deported to Lebanon for incitement.

The Security Council votes for a resolution calling on Israel to rescind the deportation of the mayors of Hebron and Halhoul. The U.S. abstains

In an interview in The Washington Post Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia says that if Israel would declare its intention to withdraw from areas occupied in 1967, “Saudi Arabia would do its utmost to bring the Arabs to cooperate and work for a full settlement.” Begin invites Fahd to come to Jerusalem and address the Knesset.

Two West Bank mayors are injured in bombings by members of the Jewish underground.

Basic Law: “Jerusalem, Capital of Israel” is passed, strengthening the 1967 annexation of the eastern part of the city.

The Security Council votes to condemn Israel for the passage of the Jerusalem law and urged all nations not to recognize it. The U.S. abstains.

A conference of Islamic foreign ministers is held in Fez. They agree on a plan to force Israel out of the UN and to lead a holy war against Israel.

Israel and the U.S. sign an agreement guaranteeing the supply of oil to Israel in times of specified emergencies.

Israeli planes strike at terrorist bases in southern Lebanon. Two Syrian planes are shot down.

Six Israelis are wounded by Katyusha rockets fired at Kiryat Shmona from Lebanon.

Israeli jets attack terrorist targets near Tyre following katyusha attack on Kiryat Shmona.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball team wins European Champions' Cup.

Israeli jets down two Syrian helicopters near Zahla in Lebanon. Prime Minister Begin explained the action as an effort to prevent Syrian domination of Lebanon

Syria introduces S.A. 6 ground to air missiles into the Bekka Valley in Lebanon. Israeli planes attack targets in south Lebanon

Israel Air Force destroys Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak just before it is to become operative.

The U.S. suspends arms deliveries to Israel in the wake of the Baghdad raid.

The Security Council condemns Israel for the raid on the Iraqi nuclear reactor.

Israel elects the tenth Knesset. Likud wins 48 seats, Labor 47. PM Begin starts talks for the formation of the new government.

In heavy shelling of northern Galilee, 3 Israelis are killed in Nahariyah and 17 wounded in Kiryat Shmona.

Israel accepts a cease fire proposal brought by Ambassador Habib. In ten days of shelling six Israelis were killed, 65 wounded. Heavy damage caused to homes, factories and public buildings.

Prime Minister Begin, accompanied by Ministers Shamir, Sharon, and Burg visit Washington for talks with President Reagan and his senior advisors on U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia and U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation agreement.

Diary of Holocaust survivor Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life: the Diary of Etty Hillesum, is finally published.

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is assassinated in Cairo. Israeli leaders eulogize the late president. Hosni Mubarak succeeds him.

U.S. court in Los Angeles issues a final ruling that Jews were definitely gassed to death in Auschwitz.

Israel and Egypt conclude three days of discussions on the normalization process, led by Defense Minister Sharon and Egyptian Foreign Minister Kamal Hassan Ali. Series of agreements are signed.

Israeli condemns a U.S. Senate vote to approve sale of AWACS to Saudi Arabia.

In a speech to the Knesset, Prime Minister Begin rejects Prince Fahd 8 Point Peace Plan.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with U.S. for military and civilian cooperation.

The United States sells AWACS radar planes to Saudi Arabia after a divisive battle with the pro-Israel lobby.
Golan Heights Law passed.

OPEC's first quotas established .

The Knesset expressed its regret over U.S. sale of F-16 and Hawk missiles to Jordan.

Israel proceeds to dismantle and remove its civilian settlements in northern Sinai.

An Israeli diplomat is assassinated by terrorists in Paris.

Students and a few families are the last holdouts in Yamit. About 200 soldiers clash with 200 protesters barricaded on roofs.

Israel downs two Syrian MIGs over Lebanon, bombs terrorist bases in Sidon.

The Sinai town of Yamit is leveled, completing withdrawal from Sinai.

Israel's three-stage withdrawal from Sinai completed. President Reagan congratulates President Mubarak and Prime Minister Begin on the new phase of Israel-Egypt ties.

Israeli jets bomb terrorist targets in southern Lebanon for the first time since July 24, 1981. Northern and Western Galilee are shelled by PLO artillery.

The Israeli embassy in Kinshasa, Zaire, is re-opened after diplomatic ties resumed.

Israel's ambassador to London, Shlomo Argov, is wounded in a Palestinian terrorist attack.

Israeli airplanes raid terrorist targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon. The PLO retaliates by massive artillery bombardment of the entire northern border causing heavy damage.

Operation Peace for the Galilee (June 1982) removes Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorists from Lebanon.

IDF units cross the Lebanese border and advance along the coastal road to Tyre, reach Nabatiya in central Lebanon and move into Fatahland in the east.

The IDF continues its advance, captures the Beaufort Castle and clashes with the Syrian army. The navy lands tanks and infantry north of Sidon.

Sidon falls to the IDF whose advance units reach Damur, while other units advance towards the Beirut-Damascus road. The Knesset rejects (by 94 votes) a no-confidence motion. 6 Syrian MIGs are downed.

U.S. vetoes a Security Council draft resolution condemning the Israeli operation. 19 Syrian ground to air missile batteries are destroyed by the Israel Air Force in the Bekaa Valley. 22 Syrian planes are downed. IDF reaches Lake Karoun in the Bekaa Valley and the vicinity of Beirut's international airport.

President Reagan demands an immediate cease fire. The government, in an emergency session, accepts his call. IDF reaches the Beirut Damascus road.

Israel proposes an arrangement for southern Lebanon to include the stationing of a multinational force.

Prime Minister Begin holds talks with President Reagan in the White House.

In an emergency session, the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution calling for an end to hostilities and immediate unconditional withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon (127 to 2).

The IDF begins to besiege West Beirut, cutting off power and water. Israel allows Ambassador Habib additional time to continue his efforts to bring about the PLO withdrawal.

President Reagan orders the hold up of cluster bombs for Israel.

The Israel Air Force destroys three ground-to-air Syrian SAM batteries in the Bekaa Valley. Israel jets continue to bombard terrorist targets in West Beirut.

The Security Council adopts a resolution calling on Israel to lift the siege from Beirut. The U.S. is absent from the vote. Israel expresses the hope for a peaceful solution for the PLO evacuation from Beirut.

In a meeting with Foreign Minister Shamir, President Reagan demands that Israel cease all hostilities in Beirut. Israel agrees to allow Ambassador Habib additional time for his diplomatic efforts.

IDF intensifies the siege of West Beirut, occupying additional positions overlooking that area. 18 Israeli soldiers die in these battles. President Reagan demands of Mr. Begin an immediate halt to the shelling of Beirut threatening to review U.S.-Israel relations.

Israeli jets carry out massive air raids on Beirut. President Reagan phones Prime Minister Begin demanding an end to the bombing. PM Begin agrees to halt the raids.

The Government approves the agreement. The PLO withdrawal to begin on 21 August and be completed by 1 September. At an emergency session of the UN General Assembly, a resolution is adopted (by 107 in favor, 5 against and 27 abstentations) calling in fact for the creation of a Palestinian state. Israel announces its objection to any change in Resolution 242.

Bashir Gemayel is elected President of Lebanon. His inaugural date is set for 23 September.

Prime Minister Begin holds talks with Bashir Gemayel in Nahariya. Gemayel rejects his call for the signing of an Israel-Lebanon peace treaty. The PLO withdrawal from Beirut is completed.

President Reagan offers a Middle East Peace Plan.

8 Israeli soldiers are kidnapped in Lebanon.

Israeli jets attack Syrian and PLO targets in the Beka'a Valley.

President elect Bashir Gemayel is murdered in the Phallange headquarters in Beirut. The IDF is ordered to take control of key positions in West Beirut

Hundreds of thousands protest the War in Lebanon.

IDF forces enter western Beirut.

Lebanese Phalangist militiamen murder Palestinian refugees at Sabra and Shatilla.

Amin Gemayel is elected president of Lebanon.

IDF withdraws from Beirut. Prime Minister Begin appoints Supreme Court President Yitzchak Kahan to examine Israel's role in the massacre at Sabra and Shatilla.

Israel completes its withdrawal from West Beirut.

Israeli jets destroy Syrian SAM 9 missiles in Lebanon.

The Cabinet announces its position regarding withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon; peace treaty with Lebanon; exchange of prisoners and appropriate security arrangements for Israel.

An Iranian attempt to disqualify Israel from attending the General Assembly fails.

The Israeli military government building in Tyre collapses due to gas leakage, 75 Israeli soldiers and 14 local Arabs die, 27 Israelis and 28 Arabs are wounded.

Foreign Minister Shamir visits Zaire and signs a series of bilateral agreements.

The UN General Assembly adopts a resolution calling on the Security Council to take action to implement the plan for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. It demands Israeli withdrawl from terrorities seized in 1967, including East Jerusalem. Israel rejects the resolution.

Faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary votes to open the rabbinical school to women, allowing them to become Conservative rabbis. Most of the senior Talmudists leave JTS shortly after.

Kahan Commission releases report on Sabra and Shatilla massacres, finding fault with Israel's actions.

Ariel Sharon resigns as Defense Minister in the wake of the publications of the Kahan Commission report.

Emil Grunzweig, a participant in a Peace Now demonstration in Jerusalem, is murdered by a hand grenade thrown at the demonstrators.

Defense Minister Sharon resigns from his office but remains in the Cabinet as Minister without Portfolio. He is replaced by Ambassador Arens.

Jewish novelist and journalist Arthur Koestler kills himself, and is joined in suicide by his wife.

Chaim Herzog is elected by the Knesset as Israel's sixth president.

The Knesset approves the agreement with Lebanon.

U.S. negotiated withdrawal agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon.

Reform rabbinate decides that children of mixed marriages whose fathers are Jewish, are Jewish if so educated.

New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and Washington Post columnist Loren Jenkins win Pulitzer Prizes for their coverage of the Lebanon War.

Three Israeli soldiers are killed near Tyre bringing the number of casualties since June 1982 to 500.

Syria declares PLO chairman Yasser Arafat “persona non grata” and orders him to leave the country. Arafat flies to Tunis and calls Syria's action “regrettable.”

Liberia announces resumption of diplomatic relations with Israel at an ambassadorial level.

Ira Gershwin, one of the most famous American lyricists of all time, dies at age 86.

Prime Minister Begin informs the Cabinet of his intention to resign from office.

Prime Minister Begin resigns and Yitzhak Shamir heads new government.

IDF forces in Lebanon complete the withdrawal to the Awali River.

Shamir presents his government to the Knesset and wins a vote of confidence. He retains the Foreign Ministry.

Terrorist attack on U.S. marine headquarters in Beirut kills 241 Americans.

In a terrorist attack on IDF camp in Tyre, 28 Israeli personnel and 32 local inhabitants are killed.

In an exchange of prisoners, Israel receives six IDF soldiers in return for 4600 terrorists held in Lebanon and Israel.

Prime Minister Shamir and Defense Minister Arens hold talks in the White House and reach an agreement on joint Israel-U.S. strategic, political, military and economic cooperation.

Israeli Navy shells terrorist bases north of Tripoli.

Reconstructionist Rabbinical College votes to admit gays and lesbians as rabbinical students.

Reagan orders U.S. marines to leave Beirut and redeploy off-shore, ending the Amiercan role in the peacekeeping force.

The Government of Lebanon abrogates unilaterally the May 17, 1983 Israel-Lebanon agreement.

52 civilians are wounded in a terrorist attack in the heart of Jerusalem. One terrorist is killed and two others captured.

El Salvador returns its embassy to Jerusalem.

Three members of the Israel liason unit to Lebanon are kidnapped by Syrian soldiers south of Tripoli.

Israel and the U.S. hold joint military exercises.

Elections to the Eleventh Knesset.

American Jewish published Alfred Knopf dies.

National unity government (Likud and Labor) formed after elections. It is headed by Shimon Peres with Yitzchak Shamir as Vice Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

A car bomb kills 23 people in the U.S. people in the U.S. embassy in Beirut. The U.S. Senate approves the Trade Bill including an agreement to constitute Free Trade Zone with Israel.

Prime Minister Peres hold talks in Washington with President Reagan and senior officials, Congressional leaders and UN Security General De Cuaillar as well as leaders of the Jewish community.

Operation Moses flies 7,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

U.S. and Israeli naval units hold joint maneuvers in the eastern Mediterranean.

The UN General Assembly adopts a resolution stating, inter alia, that Israel is not a peace loving nation.

Jewish Theological Seminary ordains Amy Eilberg — first woman rabbi ordained by the Conservative movement.

Administrative attache at Israeli embassy in Cairo is killed by terrorists.

Operation Moses, in which 7,500 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel, ends prematurely due to disclosures.

Israel jets bomb terrorist bases in the Bekaa Valley.

The government resolves to redeploy the IDF in Lebanon in three stages. Stage one within five weeks will see the IDF withdrawing from Sidon and being redeployed in the Nabatiyeh-Litani sector; stage two will involve withdrawal in the eastern sector and in the final phase the IDF will be redeployed along the international border. There will be a buffer zone where local Lebanese forces, assisted by the IDF, will operate.

The IDF commences stage I of the withdrawal.

Egyptian and Israeli teams start talks in Beer Sheba on Taba. At their conclusion they agree to meet again to resolve the issue.

The IDF completes the first stage of its withdrawal and redeployment. It is replaced in Sidon by units of the Lebanese army.

10 soldiers are killed and 14 wounded in a car bomb explosion outside Metulla.

The U.S. vetoes a Lebanese draft resolution condemning the Israeli Iron Fist policy in Lebanon.

The U.S. invites Israel to participate in research for the SDI (also known as Star Wars).

The IDF completes stage 2 of its redeployment in Lebanon when it leaves the Nabatiyeh area.

The Israeli navy sinks a terrorist ship some 200 kms. at sea. 20 drown and 8 are captured.

The U.S. authorizes 1.5 billion dollar emergency aid to Israel.

Israel releases 31 Lebanese detainees in an effort to help the U.S. obtain the release of passengers hijacked aboard a TWA airliner in Beirut.

The Cabinet proclaims an emergency economic program to curb inflation. The budget is reduced, prices rise, an 18.8% devaluation of the Shekel and additional taxes are levied.

In first ruling by Israeli court convicting Israeli Jews of terrorist involvement, three Jewish settlers are convicted of murder and twelve other defendants are found guilty of committing violent crimes between 1980-84 against West Bank mayors and others.

Three Israeli delegations proceed to China to sign cooperation agreements in agriculture, hotel development and textile.

The Israel-U.S. Free Trade Zone Agreement is ratified.

Israeli airforce jets bomb PLO and Force 17 headquarters in Tunisia following continuous attacks on Israelis abroad and in Lebanon.

The U.S. abstains during a Security Council vote condemning Israel for the attack on the PLO headquarters in Tunis.

Egyptian soldier kills seven Israeli civilians touring in the Ras Bourka area in Sinai.

Palestinian terrorists hijack Italian cruise ship, the Achille Lauro, and murder American Leon Klinghoffer.

The IDF and the U.S. army hold joint exercises.

2 Syrian MIGs are downed by Israeli jets over Lebanon as Israel clarifies that it has no interest in escalating the tension with Syria.

US Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard is arrested in Washington and charged with spying for Israel.

Terrorists attack El-Al counters in the Rome and Vienna airports killing 15 innocent bystanders.

JTS's new Chancellor, Ismar Schorsch, opens cantorial school to women on same basis as women were previously admitted to rabbinical school.

First liver transplant in Israel takes place.

The New Shekel replaces the Shekel as Israel's currency (1 NIS = 1,000 shekels).

Washington reports that Syria had withdrawn SA 6 and SA 8 missiles from Lebanese territory.

The Inner Cabinet decides that Israel will agree to the resolution of the Taba dispute through international arbitration in return for the fulfillment by Egypt of the normalization agreement and the return of the Egyptian ambassador to Israel.

Israel and Syria sign in the Hague an agreement to establish diplomatic relations.

The Israeli airforce intercepts a Libyan executive jet en route to Damascus after hearing that terrorist leaders might be on board. The plane was released. The U.S. vetoes a Syrian resolution in the Security Council condemning Israel.

Anatoly Sharansky, (Natan Sharansky) Soviet Jewish dissident, is freed from a USSR prison after 12 years and arrives in Israel.

The Ivory Coast and Israel announce the restoration of diplomatic relations.

2 IDF soldiers and an SLA soldier are kidnapped in southern Lebanon by Shi'ite terrorists. Efforts to retrieve the kidnapped fail after extensive military operations on land and at sea

King Hussein announces end of year long effort to construct joint strategy with the PLO.

Marshall Plan for Middle East Peace discussed.

Defense Minister Rabin and Defense Secretary Weinberger sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Israel's participation in the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Elie Wiesel wins Nobel Peace Prize.

In their first official diplomatic contact in nineteen years, Soviet and Israeli representatives meet in Helsinki, Finland to discuss resumption of consular relations.

Prime Minister Peres visits Cameroon. At the conclusion of the visit, both countries announce the restoration of diplomatic relations.

Terrorist attacks against synagogue in Istanbul by Abu Nidal organization on the Neveh Shalom synagogue killing 22 people.

Ron Arad, Israeli Air Force navigator, is captured in Lebanon.

The rotation agreement is implemented when Shamir becomes Prime Minister and Peres becomes Vice Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Yitzchak Shamir presents his government to the Knesset.

Hamas is offically established in the Gaza Strip by Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

The first batch of F-16 jet fighters arrive in Israel.

U.S. grants Israel special status as non-NATO ally.

Prime Minister Shamir leaves for talks in Washington with President Reagan and senior members of his administration.

Demjanjuk trial begins in Israel.

Jonathan Jay Pollard, American spy for Israel, is sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty. His wife Anne was sentenced to 5 years in jail.

The Inner Cabinet denounces the Apartheid policy of South Africa and limits Israel's security ties with Pretoria.

Landau Commission investigages GSS interrogation methods.

“Night of the Hang Gliders.” Palestinian terrorist flies over border from Lebanon and attacks an IDF base. Six IDF soldiers killed.

Togo and Israel resume diplomatic relations.

A Soviet Consular mission arrives in Israel, the first since 1967.

The Cabinet decides to halt production of the Lavi fighter jet.

Austrian president Kurt Waldheim, former officer of the Third Reich, is barred from the United States.

German-Israel Foundation for Scientific Research and Development is established.

Landau Commission presents report.

Prime Minister General Zeine el Abideen Ben Ali of Tunisia removes President Bourguiba from office saying the Tunisian leader had become senile. Ben Ali becomes president.

Six Israeli soldiers are killed in a camp near Kiryat Shmona by a terrorist who reached Israel on a glider.

First heart transplant performed in Israel.

Two hundred thousand people attend rally in Washington, DC in support of immigration of Soviet Jewry.

Widespread violence (“The Intifada”) breaks out in Israeli-administered areas.

Five residents of the territories are expelled, accused of hostile activities and incitement.

The Security Council adopts a resolution calling on Israel to refrain from expelling Palestinians from the areas.

The U.S. vetoes a Security Council draft resolution condemning Israel for bombing raids in Lebanon.

Prime Minister Shamir expresses reservations over Secretary of State Shultz's plan which includes an interim arrangement for the inhabitants of the territories, an international opening session, bilateral talks on permanent settlement. Shultz called for the implementation of his plan in the course of 1988.

Three terrorists infiltrate from Egypt, commandeer a bus near Dimona killing three Israeli civilians before being shot dead.

Prime Minister Shamir meets in Washington with President Reagan, Secretary Shultz, and other leading members of the administration as well as Congressional leaders.

Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad), PLO No. 2, is assassinated, apparently by Israeli commandos, at his home in Tunis.

Israel and the United States sign a Memorandum of Understanding dealing with military, political, economic and scientific cooperation.

White House issued a statement announcing a joint Israel-U.S. development of the Arrow anti-missile missile and reaffirming U.S. committment to Israel's security.

Israel and U.S. cooperate on the production of the Arrow missiles.

The Israeli Consular Mission in Moscow begins to function.

King Hussein announces the severance of legal and administrative ties between Jordan and the West Bank.

Twenty-five wounded in a grenade attack at the Haifa mall.

Israel expels eight leaders of the uprising to Lebanon.

The covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, circulated in the West Bank.

Israel launches into space the Ofeq 1 experimental satellite.

China agrees to the opening of an Israeli Scientific Exchange office in Beijing.

Israel elects the 12th Knesset. Likud wins 40 seats, Labor 39. The Religious parties obtain 18 seats.

In Algiers, the Palestinian National Council proclaim the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

An IDF rescue team leaves for Armenia to help rescue survivors following a devastating earthquake there.

Arafat says he accepts Israel's right to exist and renounces terrorism to win U.S. recognition.

Likud government in power following elections. National Unity government formed.

President Ronald Reagan says at a White House press conference that the US has decided to open a dialogue with the PLO.

Fifteen intifada “activists” are expelled to Lebanon.

Israel and Egypt complete the marking of the border near Taba.

Six-point peace initiative proposed by Israel.

The UN Security Council grants the PLO the right to speak directly to the Council as “Palestine,” on the same level as any UN member nation.

Central African Republic announces restoration of diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Knesset unanimously adopts a resolution calling on President Bush to pardon Jonathan Pollard.

Prime Minister Shamir proposes a two-stage peace plan.

Taba is returned to Egypt via international negotiations.

Israel's minister for religious affairs visits Hungary, being the first Israeli minister on an official visit to that country.

Taba is restored to Egyptian sovereignty.

The government issues a peace initiative based on four points.

Eight intifada leaders are deported to Lebanon.

The Security Council condemns Israel for the deportation of eight Palestinians.

An Arab terrorist commandeers a bus on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. The bus crashes into a ravine. 14 passengers are killed and 30 wounded.

IDF commandos kidnap Sheikh Obeid, Hezbollah's spiritual leader, from his village in southern Lebanon.

The Soviet government permits the opening of a Jewish school in Riga, the first in fifty years.

Egypt transmits to Israel a ten-point plan for elections in the areas.

Israel and Hungary restore full diplomatic relations.

More than sixty U.S. Senators sign a letter to Secretary of State James Baker opposing the grant of an entry visa for Palestinean leader Yasser Arafat to address the UN Genreal Assembly.

Egypt and Israel sign a memorandum for the development of industrial and commercial ties.

Syrian pilot defects to Israel, landing a MIG-23 at Megiddo.

Israeli Cabinet and Knesset approve free and democratic elections in the West Bank and Gaza.

Five point plan for peace proposed by U.S. Secretary of State James Baker.

Israel and Ethiopia restore full diplomatic relations.

The Prime Minister meets in Washington with President Bush and Secretary of State Baker.

Start of mass immigration of Jews from former Soviet Union.