History of Modern Israel
A very brief history of modern Israel:
Over the centuries, many nations ruled Judea/Israel including the Egyptians, Turks, Syrians and finally, during WWII, the British.
In 1917 the British passed a law known as the Balfour Declaration that approved of an independent Jewish state in the area known as Palestine. The Jewish presence increased over the years and helped bring modern civilization to the area.
in 1946, The United Nations recognized that both Jews and Arabs had a legitimate claim to a homeland and partitioned the area. The Jews accepted the partition plan of the UN. and the Arabs did not. The Arabs threatened to destroy Israel on the day she announced her birth. In 1948 Israel became an independent nation. No less than 5 Arab armies attacked Israel. These armies were comprised of or supported by the following nations: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Israel not only survived the attack but became victorious. Due to this war however, many of the local Arabs were displaced from their homes. Though they were told to evacuate Israel by their mother lands, Those same nations then refused to house them after they lost their homes in the war they initiated. These displaced people were placed in camps and kept there (as political pawns) by the enemies of Israel. Their descendants are known today as the Palestinians.
Arabs continued to attack Israel on and off over the years. A massive attack was formed in 1967. By May 17th, the troops of seven Arab nations gathered around Israel. Not long after a naval blockade by Egypt in the Gulf of Aquaba the Israeli's pre-emptively attacked. This war only lasted 6 days because Israel caught her enemies jet fighters while they were still on the ground. She annihilated the air forces of Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. During this war Israel took what is known today as the Golan Heights, The West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. Israel said she would keep Jerusalem but would return the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as soon as the Palestinians were serious about peace.
Israel has fought war on and off within her borders and without ever since.
Not comprehensive but a good overview of the history of modern-day Israel that I thought might be helpful to those who have some interest in the mid-east and needed some background.
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