A Land of History

History of the Land of Israel / Palestine

icon

Biblical Beginnings

  • According to the Bible, the Hebrews (later called Israelites) were enslaved in Egypt.
  • Moses led them out in the Exodus (c. 1200s BCE, date debated).
  • God promised them the Land of Israel (Canaan).
  • Under Joshua, they entered and settled the land; later came kings like David and Solomon.
  • Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem (c. 960 BCE).
icon

586 BCE

Babylonians destroy the First Temple; many Jews are exiled to Babylon.

icon

516 BCE

Second Temple built when Jews returned under Persian rule.

icon

332 BCE

Alexander the Great conquers the region → Greek (Hellenistic) influence.

icon

164 BCE

Maccabees (Jewish revolt) win independence for about 100 years.

icon

63 BCE – 313 CE

Roman rule:

  • 70 CE Second Temple destroyed
  • Jews dispersed but some remain
icon

313–638 CE

Byzantine Christian Empire rules.

icon

638–1099 CE

Muslim Arab Caliphates rule.

icon

1099–1291 CE

Crusaders (Christian knights) seize Jerusalem, later driven out.

icon

1291–1517 CE

Muslim Mamluks rule.

icon

1517–1917 CE

Ottoman Empire rules for 400 years.

icon

1917–1948: British Mandate

  • Britain takes control after WWI; calls the land Palestine.
  • The Balfour Declaration (1917) promises support for a Jewish homeland.
icon

1947: United Nations Partition Plan

  • UN votes to divide the land into two states: one Jewish, one Arab.
  • Jews accept the plan; Arabs reject it.
icon

1948: Independence and War

  • Britain leaves; Jews declare the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.
  • Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attack. Israel survives and gains more land than UN had planned.
icon

1949–1967: Early Statehood

  • UN draws “armistice lines” (known as the Green Line).
  • Jerusalem is divided: Israel controls the west, Jordan the east (including Old City).
  • Repeated border clashes with Arab neighbors.
icon

1967: Six-Day War

  • Israel fights Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.
  • Israel captures Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Sinai, and Golan Heights.
  • Jerusalem becomes united under Israeli control.
icon

1973: Yom Kippur War

  • Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel’s holiest day.
  • Israel pushes them back but suffers heavy losses.
icon

1979: Peace with Egypt

  • Israel returns Sinai to Egypt.
  • First peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country.
icon

1993–1995: Oslo Accords

  • Israel and the PLO recognize each other.
  • Palestinians get limited self-rule in Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
icon

2005: Gaza Withdrawal

Israel removes all soldiers and settlers from Gaza but still controls borders, sea, and air.

icon

2007: Hamas Takeover

  • Hamas (Islamist group) seizes Gaza from the Palestinian Authority.
  • Gaza now governed by Hamas; West Bank by the Palestinian Authority.
  • Israel and Egypt impose a blockade.
icon

2007–Present: Wars and Tensions

  • Multiple wars between Israel and Hamas (2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2023, and ongoing).
  • Gaza remains under blockade; West Bank divided into Israeli and Palestinian areas.
icon

Today

  • Israel is a modern democracy of ~9.5 million people.
  • Ongoing conflict over Gaza, West Bank, and Palestinian statehood.
  • International debates continue over borders, settlements, and peace.