Here's a simplified timeline of key events in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
Pre-20th Century
- Late 1800s: Rise of nationalist movements among Jews (Zionism) and Arabs in the region of Palestine, which was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Early 20th Century
- 1917: Balfour Declaration – The British government expresses support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
- 1920-1947: Increasing Jewish immigration to Palestine; tensions grow between Jewish and Arab communities.
Mid-20th Century
- 1947: United Nations proposes a partition plan to create separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem as an international city. The plan is accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by Arab leaders.
- 1948: British withdraw from Palestine; Israel declares independence. The Arab-Israeli War follows, leading to substantial displacement of Palestinian Arabs (referred to as the Nakba).
Late 20th Century
- 1967: Six-Day War – Israel captures the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula. This leads to increased tensions and the occupation of Palestinian territories.
- 1973: Yom Kippur War – A surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel; ends with UN resolution calls for peace.
1980s
- 1987: First Intifada (uprising) – Palestinian protests and violence against Israeli occupation begin, leading to significant casualties on both sides.
1990s
- 1993: Oslo Accords – First direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), establishing the Palestinian Authority and recognizing each other.
- 1995: Further agreements are reached, but violence continues and the peace process falters.
Early 21st Century
- 2000: Second Intifada begins, leading to widespread violence.
- 2005: Israel withdraws from Gaza, but tensions and violent conflicts continue.
2010s
- 2012: UN General Assembly grants Palestine non-member observer state status.
- 2014: Major conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza results in significant casualties.
Recent Events
- 2021: Renewed violence in May between Israel and Hamas, leading to heavy bombardments and civilian casualties.
- 2023: Ongoing conflicts, with sporadic violence and political tensions.
This timeline provides a high-level overview and does not encompass all the complexities and events surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation remains dynamic, and new developments continue to unfold.