The U.N. decides to make Israel its own state by a vote of 6 to 4. The US becomes the first to recognize Israel as an independent state. Violence between Arabs and Israelis erupts immediately after U.N.’s decision. Arab states declare that Israel is the perfect example of how the West has tried to dominate the Middle East and reject to recognize Israel as an independent state.

In 1948 Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon sent separate military forces against Israel. Despite suffering heavy losses, Israel is able to defend itself and defeat the divided Arab forces. Israel then takes half of the land that was to be used for a separate Arab state. Jordan took the rest of Arab Palestine and Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip. 850,000 Arabs fled or were driven out of Palestine during and after the 1948 war.

In 1956 Israel, Britain, and France attacked Egypt after Nasser (leader of Egypt) nationalized the Suez Canal. Israeli troops occupy, but later leave the Sinai Peninsula. Israel, Britain, and France are successful in keeping the Suez Canal free from Egypt’s domination.

In 1967 fighting lasted for six days. It is known as the Six Day War. Israel made major territorial gains. They took the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip from Egypt. They also captured the Golan Heights from Syria and the West Bank from Jordan. They also seized East Jerusalem from the Arabs.

In 1973, Syria and Egypt attacked Israel in a partially successful attempt to regain the lands they had lost during the Six Day War. Israel pushes back the forces, and UN steps in and negotiates a cease fire. This is also known as the Yom Kippur War.