Israel between 1947-1974

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAIN EVENTS, 1947-1974

1947

2 April	Britain requests special session of the General Assembly to consider future government of Palestine.
28 April	General Assembly meets in special session.
15 May	General Assembly establishes a Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP).
31 August	UNSCOP issues majority report recommending partition of Palestine with an internationalised Jerusalem; minority report recommended federal scheme.
29 September	Arab Higher Committee formally rejects UNSCOP plan.
2 October	Jewish Agency formally accepts UNSCOP partition plan.
29 November	General Assembly votes to partition Palestine and establish, by 1 October 1948, Jewish and Arab states, and internationalised Jerusalem. Arabs denounce the decision and say they will oppose its implementation by force.
30 November	Arab mobs attack Jewish quarters in Jerusalem and Arab irregulars begin operations against Jewish cities and settlements.

1948

19 March	US proposes suspension of partition plan and calls for a special session of the General Assembly to discuss trusteeship for Palestine.
1 April	Security Council calls for truce in Palestine and special session of the General Assembly to reconsider future of Palestine.
14 May	State of Israel proclaimed as British mandate over Palestine ends at midnight. US recognises Israel de facto.
15 May	Armies of Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Trans-Jordan and Syria invade Israel.
17 May	Soviet Union recognises Israel de facto.
20 May	General Assembly Committee appoints Count Folke Bernadotte as mediator for Palestine.
29 May	Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem falls to Arab Legion. Security Council calls for a four week cease-fire within 72 hours.
11 June	Four week truce commences.
8 July	Arab League refuses to renew truce, fighting resumed and Israel gains on all fronts.
15 July	Security Council orders another truce; Israel and Arabs accept.
18 July	Second truce begins.
17 September	Count Bernadotte assassinated in Jerusalem; succeeded by Dr. Bunche.
20 September	Bernadotte Plan published by UN.
15 October	Fighting breaks out in Negev; the Egyptian army driven south.
19 October	Security Council orders an immediate cease-fire.
22 October	Israel and Egypt agree to cease-fire.
16 November	Security Council calls for armistice talks.
18 November	Israel accepts call for armistice.
11 December	General Assembly establishes Palestine Conciliation Commission, reaffirms decision on Jerusalem and calls for repatriation or resettlement of refugees.
22 December	Fighting breaks out in Negev. Egyptian forces driven beyond mandatory borders, but retain the Gaza Strip.

1949

7 January	Fighting ends in Sinai. Israeli forces withdraw from Sinai following British ultimatum and US pressure
13 January	Israeli and Egyptian delegations meet in Rhodes for armistice talks, chaired by Dr. Bunche.
1 February	Israel ends military governorship in Jerusalem.
24 February	Israel and Egypt sign Armistice Agreement.
10 March	Israel army reaches Eilat on Red Sea.
23 March	Israel and Lebanon sign Armistice Agreement.
3 April	Israel and Jordan sign Armistice Agreement.
25 April	Trans-Jordan becomes Jordan.
April-June	First round of Israel-Arab talks in Lausanne under auspices of Palestine Conciliation Commission.
11 May	Israel admitted to UN membership.
20 July	Israel and Syria sign Armistice Agreement.
August	Second Round of Israel-Arab talks in Lausanne is deadlocked.
9 December	General Assembly votes for internationalisation of Jerusalem under Trusteeship Council administration.
13 December	Knesset decides to hold its sessions in Jerusalem, capital of Israel.

1950

4 April	UN Trusteeship Council approves statute for the internationalisation of Jerusalem.
24 April	Jordan annexes West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
25 May	US, Britain and France issue Tripartite Declaration on Middle East.
17 June	Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen initial Collective Security Pact, calling on them to assist an Arab state under attack.

1951

18 May	Security Council calls on Israel to halt Huleh drainage project pending arrangements to be fixed by the Mixed Armistice Commission. Fighting erupts between Israel and Syria in demilitarised zone.
20 July	King Abdullah of Jordan assassinated at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
1 September	Security Council calls on Egypt to end its blockade of Suez Canal to shipping to and from Israel. Egypt refuses to comply.
13 September	Palestine Conciliation Commission opens another round of talks in Paris with Israeli and Arab delegations.
28 September	Israel offers non-aggression pacts to Arab states, calls for direct negotiations and offers compensation for Arab refugee’s property.
21 November	Palestine Conciliation Commission announces failure of the talks.

1952

16 February	Jordan adheres to Arab Collective Security Pact of 17 June 1950.
23 July	Free Officers carry out Coup d’etat in Egypt; oust King Farouk.
28 July	Egypt proclaimed republic.
11 August	Hussein proclaimed Crown Prince following illness of King Talal. Council of regents appointed.
18 August	Ben-Gurion welcomes Egyptian revolution in Knesset.
10 September	Israel and West Germany sign Reparations Agreement in Luxembourg.
9 November	Death of President Chaim Weizmann; succeeded by Yitzhak Ben-Zvi.
1 December	Israel submits to General Assembly “Blue Print for Peace ill the Middle East.”

1953

11-29 May	US Secretary of State Dulles visits Middle East.
2 September	Israel starts work on Jordan River project. Syria complains to Security Council.
20 October	US halts economic aid to Israel until it halts work on the Jordan River project. Israel complies and aid resumed 28 October.
15 October	President Eisenhower appoints Ambassador Eric Johnston to help establish regional water development project based on Jordan River.
27 October	Security Council asks Israel to suspend temporarily work on Jordan river project at B’not Ya’akov Bridge. Israel complies.
7 December	Premier Ben-Gurion resigns and retires to Negev; he is succeeded by Moshe Sharett.

1954

22 January	USSR vetoes Western draft resolution at Security Council permitting Israel to resume work on River Jordan project.
20 March	USSR vetoes Western draft resolution at Security Council calling on Egypt to comply with 1951 resolution on Suez Canal.
17 April	Colonel Nasser becomes Prime Minister of Egypt.
28 September	Egypt seizes Israeli ship “Bat Galim” at Port Said.
6 October	Israel offers at the UN non-aggression pact with Arab states.

1955

4-13 January	Security Council discusses Israel’s complaint on “Bat Galim” seizure.
21 February	Ben-Gurion returns to government as Defence Minister.
28 February	Following intensified raids into Israel, IDF raids Egyptian military installations in Gaza.
April	Israel excluded from participation in Bandung Conference of Asian and African nations.
26 August	Secretary of State Dulles outlines new American plan for peace in the Middle East.
27 September	Egyptian-Czechoslovak arms deal announced.
11 October	Arab League rejects Eric Johnston’s Jordan River plan.
18 October	Premier Sharett applies to US for permission to purchase arms.
20 October	Egypt and Syria sign mutual defence treaty.
31 October	Premier Sharett appeals to USSR not to encourage Arabs to launch war against Israel.
2 November	Ben-Gurion again becomes Israel’s Prime Minister.
6 December	Israel protests to Security Council, in note dated 22 November, continued Egyptian attacks from Gaza Strip.
26 December	Cairo announces beginning of implementation of defence pacts with Syria and Saudi Arabia.

1956

I8 January	Nasser announces new constitution for Egypt and pledges to re-conquer Palestine.
Jan.-April	Continued Egyptian raids on Israeli patrols and border settlements.
25 January	Ambassador Eban requests Secretary Dulles permission to acquire arms in the US
6 February	Secretary Dulles suggests to Israel to seek security in UN and 1950 Tripartite declaration.
12 March	Egypt, Syria anSaudi Arabia announce plans to co-ordinate their defence.
April	UN Secretary General tours Middle East in an effort to re-establish armistice. Cease-fire achieved between Israel and Egypt on 19 April and with Jordan on 26 April.
6 May	Jordan and Egypt announce plans to unify their forces.
9 May	Dulles tells NATO in Paris that the US would not sell arms to Israel directly in order to avoid US-USSR confrontation in the Middle East.
May-October	France delivers arms to Israel under secret agreement with tacit US approval.
31 May	Syria and Jordan sign military agreement.
24 June	Nasser elected President of Egypt.
20 July	US refuses aid and credits for Egypt Aswan High Dam, Britain adopts similar position.
26 July	Nasser announces nationalisation of Suez Canal.
16 August	22 nations meet in London on Suez Canal crisis; delegation sent to Cairo.
11 September	Negotiations to solve Suez Canal crisis fail.
8 October	Egypt and USSR reject proposals for international supervision of Suez Canal.
25 October	Egypt, Syria and Jordan announce establishment of unified military command for “war of destruction against Israel.”
29 October	Israeli forces enter Sinai to destroy Egyptian army and fedayeen bases and break naval blockade of Straits of Tiran. British and French forces invade Suez Canal zone.
2 November	General Assembly calls for cease-fire in Egypt, withdrawal of foreign troops, restoration of freedom of navigation
5 November	General Assembly establishes United Nations Emergency Force.
5 November	USSR threatens use of force, including rockets, if Britain, France and Israel do not cease operations in Egypt.
6 November	Israel completes occupation of Sinai save for strip along Suez Canal.
7 November	General Assembly calls on Britain, France and Israel to withdraw from Sinai and Suez Canal zone. President Eisenhower demands Israeli compliance. Premier Bulganin threatens Israel.
21 December	Last British and French troops leave Egypt.
24 December	Beginning of Israeli forces withdrawal from Sinai.

1957

6 January	President Eisenhower announces new US policy in Middle East.
15 January	Israel evacuates El-Arish.
22 January	Israel withdraws to mandatory border with Egypt, holds land strip to Sharm el-Sheikh and Gaza Strip.
February	US pressure on Israel to withdraw from Gaza and Sharm el-Sheikh. General Assembly considers sanctions against Israel.
28 February	US-Israel understanding on freedom of navigation and UN administration for Gaza Strip.
1 March	Foreign Minister Meir announces to General Assembly Israel’s readiness to withdraw from all Egyptian territories.
10 March	IDF withdraws to armistice lines.
11 March	Egypt re-appoints military governor for Gaza.
15 March	Egypt announces Israel not permitted to navigate through newly reopened Suez Canal.
14 April	Eilat-Beersheba oil pipeline inaugurated.
3 June	Ben-Gurion announces in Knesset Israel’s acceptance of “Eisenhower’s Doctrine.”
June	Serious border clashes on Israel-Syria border.
November	Israel completes Huleh reclamation project.

1958

30 January	Dulles tells Baghdad Pact meeting that US is committed to defend allies under “Eisenhower Doctrine.”
1 February	Egypt and Syria merge and form United Arab Republic.
14 February	Jordan and Iraq form Arab Federation.
February	More border incidents along Israel-Syria border.
8 March	Yemen joins United Arab Republic.
20 March	Syria fires at Israeli workers engaged in widening Jordan River bed.
April-May	Clashes along Israel-Jordan line.
26 May	.Jordanians kill UN officer and four Israeli policemen on Mount Scopus demilitarised zone.
June	UN Secretary General Hammarskjold visits Middle East for talks on Israel-Jordan tension.
14 July	Iraqi monarchy is overthrown, King killed. Civil war in Lebanon Jordan and Lebanon appeal for US military aid.
15 July	US marines land in Beirut; British paratroopers land in Jordan.
2 August	Arab Federation dissolved by Hussein.
August	Foreign Minister Meir holds talks with Prime Minister De Gaulle and Foreign Ministers of France, Britain and Italy.
25 October	US ends its military intervention in Lebanon.
7 November	Syrian artillery shell Israeli settlements in Huleh Valley. 17 November Ambassador Eban again proclaims Israel’s readiness to compensate Arab refugees even before peace settlement.

1959

26 February	Egypt detains Liberian Ship “Captain Manolis” in Suez Canal with cargo from Israel to Ceylon and Malaya.
13 March	Egypt detains German ship “Lialot” in Suez Canal with Israeli cargo to Malaya and Philippines.
24 March	Iraq withdraws from Baghdad Pact. Pact is re-named CENTO on 18 August.
21 May	Egypt detain s Danish ship “Inge Toft”, confiscates cargo destined from Israel to Hong Kong and Japan.
5 October	Egypt tells UN Israel will be permitted to use Suez Canal after Palestine refugee problem is settled.
18 October	President Ben-Zvi starts a ten-day visit to Burma.
19 December	Egypt detains Greek ship “Astypalea” in Suez Canal. Nasser disavows previous promises to UN Secretary General to allow passage of Israeli cargo on non-Israeli ships.

1960

18 January	Egypt announces USSR will finance second stage of Aswan High Dam.
2 February	Israel calls on Security Council to have Syria withdraw its troops from demilitarised zones.
20 February	Jordan opposes in Arab League creation of a Palestinian entity.
10 March	Ben-Gurion meets with President Eisenhower at White House.
14 March	Ben-Gurion meets with Chancellor Adenauer in New York.
8 April	Hammarskjold protests Egyptian seizure of ships carrying Israeli goods through Suez Canal.
23 May	Ben-Gurion announces in Knesset capture of Eichmann.
June	Ben-Gurion visits France, Belgium and Holland.
23 July	Shali declares that Iran recognises Israel de facto. Egypt breaks its ties with Iran on 25 July.

1961

11 April	Eichmann trial opens in Jerusalem.
23 May	Ben-Gurion visits Canada and the US, meets with President Kennedy in New York.
6 June	Ben-Gurion meets with De Gaulle in Paris.
29 September	Syria dissolves union with Egypt.
26 December	Egypt dissolves union with Yemen.

1962

16 March	IDF raids Syrian positions east of Sea of Galilee, following Syrian shelling.
March-July	State visits to Israel of Presidents of Costa-Rica, Gabon, Central African Republic, Liberia and Ivory Coast.
9 April	Security Council condemns Israel for Galilee raid.
10 April	Ben-Gurion rejects in Knesset Security Council condemnation.
July	President Ben-Zvi visits Congo (Brazzaville), Central African Republic, Liberia, and Congo (Kinshasa).
September	Civil war in Yemen. Egypt and Saudi Arabia intervene.

1963

8 February	Pro-Egyptian Colonel Arif overthrows Qassim regime in Iraq.
8 March	Officers group connected with Ba’ath party takes over power in Syria.
20 March	Knesset calls on West Germany to forbid its scientists to aid Egyptian missiles and arms development.
17 April	Egypt, Syria and Iraq agree on new federation; also call for liberation of Palestine.
6 May	Ben-Gurion expresses Israel’s concern at new federation plans.
21 May	Zalman Shazar elected third President of Israel following death of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi.
16 June	Ben-Gurion resigns as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
24 June	Levi Eshkol presents his government to Knesset.
22 July	Nasser renounces Egypt’s federation agreement with Syria and Iraq, and denounces Syria’s Ba’ath party.
21 August	Arab League meets to consider unified Arab support for Syria following serious clashes with Israel.
18 November	Military coup in Iraq; Arif becomes President.

1964

15-17 January	Arab Summit conference in Cairo discusses Jordan River diversion, establishment of a joint military command and establishment of Palestine Liberation Organisation.
29 May	Palestine Liberation Organisation established in East Jerusalem.
2 June	Eshkol ends two days of talks with President Johnson in White House.
June	Israel’s National Water Carrier begins operations.
July	Eshkol visits France, has talks with De Gaulle.
5-11 Septemb	Arab Summit conference in Alexandria agrees on measures to divert Jordan River headwaters.

1965

12 February	West Germany announces suspension of arms sales to Israel.
22 March	Shooting incidents along Israel-Syria line.
25 March	Eshkol meets Prime Minister Wilson in London.
12 May	Israel and West Germany establish diplomatic relations.
26-30 May	Arab summit conference in Cairo devises unified political and military policy against Israel, calls for liberation of Palestine.
27 May	IDF raids targets in West Bank following series of incursions into Israel.
1 June	Syria declares: Only solution for Palestine – elimination of Israel.
15 July	Chief of Staff Rabin says Israel has effectively deterred Arab States from diverting Jordan River headwaters.
13-17 September	Arab summit conference in Casablanca again calls for diversion of Jordan headwaters.
29 December	U.S. confirms sale of tanks to Jordan.

1966

23 February	Officers linked to extreme left Ba’ath faction seize power in Syria.
13-23 March	President Shazar visits Nepal.
18 May	Eshkol declares in Knesset Israel will not be first to introduce nuclear weapons to Middle East; calls for limitations on regional arms build-up.
19 May	U.S. confirms sale of jet fighters to Israel.
May	Eshkol visits Liberia, Senegal, Congo (Kinshasa), Malgash, Uganda and Kenya.
June	President Shazar visits Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
25 July	Serious clashes between Israel and Syria, followed by inconclusive Security Council debate.
4 November	Syria and Egypt sign mutual defence treaty providing for joint command.
14 November	Israel raids Samu village following incursions from Jordan.

1967

January	Heavy fighting along Israel-Syria borders.
17 January	Eshkol pledges, Israel will not allow Syria to drag it to war.
7 April	Israeli aircraft shoot down 7 Syrian Migs.
11 April	Security Council deplores Arab attacks on Israel.
14 May	Nasser declares alert in Egypt and bolsters his forces in Sinai.
15 May	Egyptian forces continue pouring into Sinai.
19 May	UN Emergency Force withdrawn at Egypt’s request. Israel declares partial mobilization.
22 May	Egypt re-imposes naval blockade on Straits of Tiran.
23 May	Eshkol warns Egypt of gravity of blockade.
26 May	Foreign Minister Eban meets President Johnson after talks with De Gaulle and Wilson.
30 May	Egypt and Jordan sign mutual defence pact in Cairo.
23 May	Security Council adjourns, having failed to take any action on Middle East crisis.
1 June	Government of national unity formed in Jerusalem.
5 June	Israel air-force strikes at Egyptian and Syrian air bases. IDF advances into Sinai. Eshkol conveys message to Hussein through UN Chief of Staff in Jerusalem Israel has no intentions of attacking Jordan. At 1020 Jordan launches attack on Israel.
6 June	IDF advances in Sinai, West Bank and Jerusalem.
7 June	IDF liberates Jerusalem, completes occupation of West Bank and Gaza Strip. Jordan accepts Security Council call for cease-fire.
8 June	IDF reaches Suez Canal, completing occupation of entire Sinai peninsula. Egypt accepts cease-fire.
9 June	President Nasser resigns, withdraws resignation some hours later.
10 June	Israel occupies Golan Heights. Syria accepts cease-fire. USSR and other East European nations, except Rumania, sever diplomatic relations with Israel.
12 June	Israel announces it will not withdraw to 1949 armistice lines before peace is achieved by direct negotiations.
June-July	Draft resolutions denouncing Israel as aggressor, calling for total evacuation of occupied areas are rejected by General Assembly.
19 June	President Johnson Outlines 5 point US peace plan.
28 June	Israel proclaims unification of Jerusalem.
1 September	Arab summit conference in Khartum proclaims policy of no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel.
21 October	Israeli destroyer “Eilat” sunk off Sinai coast.
25 October	Israeli artillery destroys Egyptian oil refineries in Suez.
22 November	Security Council adopts resolution 242; Gunnar Jarring appointed special representative of the Secretary General.

1968

7 February	Eshkol ends two days of talks with President Johnson in Texas.
February	Constant clashes with terrorist gangs along Israel-Jordan cease-fire lines.
12 March	Nasser proclaims three stage doctrine of struggle against Israel.
21 March	IDF raids village of Kararneli in Jordan to prevent massing of terrorists.
5 July	Egypt suggests UN force in Sinai instead of direct talks. Israel rejects plan.
8 October	Foreign Minister Eban offers nine point peace plan at UN General Assembly. Egypt rejects plan and demands that Ambassador Jarring work out a timetable for Israeli withdrawal from Occupied areas.
27 October	Fighting breaks out again along Suez Canal, Suez oil refineries again hit.
19 November	Israel allows return to occupied areas of thousands of refugees who fled to Jordan in Six Day War.
2 December	Heavy fighting erupts on Israel-Jordan borders.
4 December	Israel aircraft attack Iraqi artillery units in Jordan.
9 December	President-elect Nixon’s special envoy Governor Scranton promises a more “even-handed” US policy.
26 December	Arab terrorists attack Israeli airliner in Athens.
27 December	US announces sale of Phantom jets to Israel.
28 December	IDF raids Beirut airport, destroying 13 airliners without loss of life.

1969

18 February	Israeli airliner attacked in Zurich.
26 February	Premier Eshkol dies in Jerusalem; Succeeded on 7 March by Golda Meir.
14 March	Foreign Minister Eban meets President Nixon. Israel denounces attempts of the four powers to reach Middle East settlement.
19 April	Soviet missiles installed in Egypt, following announcement by Nasser that Egypt has completed rehabilitation of its army and is moving to stage of active defence.
23 April	Egypt repudiates cease-fire along Suez Canal.
5 May	Premier Meir says in Knesset only signed peace treaties can replace present cease-fire arrangements.
11 May	Jordan forbids terrorist raids against Israel from its territory, following Israel warning and raids.
25 May	Coup d’etat in Sudan.
7 July	UN Secretary General U Thant proclaims that war of attrition taking place along Suez Canal.
20 July	Israel airforce begins bombing targets inside Egypt.
31 July	Israel repels Syrian attack in Golan Heights.
23 August	Nasser calls for all out war against Israel.
29 August	American airliner hijacked to Damascus; two Israeli passengers detained.
1 September	Coup d’etat in Libya overthrows monarchy. Moammer Qaddafi heads Revolutionary Command Council.
October	Secret US-USSR talks on Middle East peace. Talks fail when Nasser rejects plan.
13 October	Israel proposes home rule for West Bank, retaining responsibility for security.
9 December	Secretary of State Rogers announces peace plan based on Israeli withdrawal in exchange for binding peace treaty with Arabs.
12 December	Israel rejects Rogers plan.

1970

22 January	Israel occupies for one day island of Shadwan at entrance of Gulf of Suez.
2 February	Heavy fighting on Golan Heights.
22 February	Palestinian terrorists blow up Swissair jet in mid air.
March	USSR steps up missile shipment to Egypt.
April	Israel announces Soviet pilots are flying operational missions for Egyptian airforce.
9 May	Israel warns against installation of Soviet missiles close to Suez Canal.
25 June	Secretary Rogers discloses US initiative to end war of attrition along Suez Canal for 90 days and resumption of stalled Jarring mission.
23 July	Egypt, after Nasser visit to Moscow, accepts US initiative.
26 July	Jordan accepts US initiative.
4 August	Israel accepts US initiative, is assured of continued military and economic aid from the US
7 August	Cease-fire goes into effect on Suez Canal.
7 August	Egypt violates cease-fire by moving missiles into “stand-still” zone. Israel protests to US
September	Heavy fighting between Jordanian army and Palestinian terrorists. Syria invades Jordan. US moves Sixth Fleet to Eastern Mediterranean.
16 September	Hussein proclaims martial law in Jordan and installs military government to fight terrorists.
18 September	Premier Meir meets President Nixon. Israel refuses to return to Jarring talks until Egyptian missiles are withdrawn.
27 September	Arab heads of state agree on formula to end hostilities in Jordan.
28 September	President Nasser dies, succeeded by Anwar Sadat.
5 November	UN General Assembly calls for 90 days extension of cease-fire and resumption of Jarring talks.

1971

8 February	Jarring stymies his mission by demanding prior Israeli and Egyptian commitments before entering into talks.
9 February	Israel and Egypt accept in principle idea of interim agreement for re-opening of Suez Canal.
15 February	Sadat formally informs Jarring Egypt willing to envisage peace arrangement with Israel – on his conditions.
26 February	Israel informs Jarring it is keen to negotiate peace arrangements with Arab states but cannot give prior commitments on borders and other items to be negotiated. Jarring mission deadlocked.
12 March	In interview to London Times Mrs. Meir declares Israel wants to retain Sharm el-Sheikh, Jerusalem and to demilitarise Sinai.
April	Fighting erupts again in Jordan between the King’s forces and Palestinian terrorists.
17 April	Egypt, Syria and Libya sign agreement to form Federation of Arab Republics.
1 May	US Secretary of State Rogers visits Middle East for talks on interim agreement.
27 May	Egypt and USSR sign 15-year treaty of friendship and co-operation.
23 July	Sadat is granted full powers by Arab Socialist Union to take action to recover Arab lands from Israel.
12 August	Syria breaks off diplomatic ties with Jordan following border clashes.
4 October	US presents its views on interim agreement in UN General Assembly speech by Secretary Rogers.
6 October	Israel and Egypt reject Rogers proposals.
28 November	Jordanian Premier Wasfi Tal assassinated in Cairo by Palestinian terrorists.
2 December	Premier Meir meets President Nixon in Washington.

1972

15 March	Hussein announces plan to make Jordan federal state. Israel, Egypt, Syria, Libya reject the plan.
6 April	Egypt breaks off diplomatic relations with Jordan because of Hussein’s federal plan.
18 July	Sadat terminates services of Soviet military advisers.
5 September	11 Israeli athletes murdered by Black September terrorists in Munich’s Olympic Village.
September	Stepped up Soviet military shipments to Syria, including missiles for the defence of Damascus.
18 September	Sadat and Qameet in Cairo to discuss merger of Egypt and Libya.
15 October	Israel strikes at terrorist bases in Syria and Lebanon.
29 October	West Germany releases Munich killers after German airliner is hijacked. Terrorists by Libya.
1 November	USSR agrees to restore missiles to Egypt’s air defence system.

1973

1 March	Premier Meir meets President Nixon in Washington.
1 March	Palestinian terrorists kill US Ambassador, his deputy head of mission, and Belgian diplomat in Khartum.
28 March	Sadat proclaims himself military governor of Egypt, and declares martial law.
6 October	Egyptian forces cross Suez Canal, Syrian forces attack Golan Heights.
7 October	Syrian attack contained.
8 October	Israeli counter-offensive in Sinai fails.
10 October	Syrian forces driven back in Golan. Israel stabilises new line in Sinai.
12 October	IDF advances to within 28 miles from Damascus.
13 October	IDF repels Jordanian and Iraqi forces fighting with Syrians in the Golan Heights.
15 October	Countering massive sea and air lift of Soviet arms to Egypt and Syria, US starts air lift to Israel.
15 October	Israeli forces cross Suez Canal and establish bridgehead.
16 October	Premier Kosygin arrives in Cairo.
17 October	Sadat proposes a cease-fire.
17 October	Arab oil producing states announce 10 percent reduction in oil production and impose total embargo on US and Netherlands.
19 October	President Nixon asks Congress to appropriate $2.2 billion for emergency aid to Israel.
19 October	Libya halts oil exports.
20 October	Saudi Arabia halts oil export to US
20 October	Israel expands its bridgehead on West Bank of Suez Canal, besieging Third Egyptian Army.
20 October	Secretary Kissinger arrives in Moscow for talks.
22 October	US and USSR propose to Security Council cease-fire resolution, which is adopted on that day. Fighting continues until
25 October	President Nixon orders world-wide alert as fear of Soviet military intervention on Egypt’s behalf mounts.
25 October	Security Council establishes UNEF to supervise cease-fire.
31 October	Premier Meir arrives in Washington for talks with President Nixon and Secretary Kissinger.
11 November	Israel and Egypt sign 6 point agreement for the stabilisation of the cease-fire.
21 December	Geneva Peace Conference on Middle East is held.

1974

January	Shuttle diplomacy by Dr. Kissinger to bring about Israel-Egyptian separation of forces agreement.
18 January	Israel-Egypt separation of forces agreement is signed in kilometre 101 on the Cairo-Suez road.
27 February	Dr. Kissinger brings to Israel list of Israeli prisoners held in Syria. Israel talks with Syria through Dr. Kissinger.
4 March	Israeli army deployed along new lines in Sinai in accordance with disengagement agreement.
March	Continued war of attrition along the Israel-Syria cease-fire line.
18 March	Arab states lift oil embargo on the US
10 April	Mrs. Meir’s government resigns.
15 May	22 Israeli children are slain by Palestinian terrorists in Ma’alot.
31 May	Israel and Syria sign separation of forces agreement.
3 June	Yitzhak Rabin presents his government to Knesset.

Tags: 1947CE Israel

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAIN EVENTS, 1947-1974

Related Stories

News Updates