1. 1937 In wake of tension and periodic conflicts, idea of partition of Palestine is floated, but is rejected by both Arabs and Jews 1939 Outbreak of World War II. British seek to limit Jewish immigration and transfers of land from Arabs to Jews 1946 Escalation of Jewish-Arab conflict. British refer issue to UN 1947 Partition of Palestine

2. January 1948 Outbreak of First Arab-Israeli War. Palestinians supported by troops from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Transjordan and Egypt May 15th 1948 David Ben-Gurion (d. 1973) proclaims establishment of Jewish state of Israel at Tel Aviv 1949 End of First Arab-Israeli War

3. 1950 Israelis declare Jerusalem capital of Israel. France, UK and USA agree to protect frontiers and armistice lines of region 1954 on sees Arab raids on Israeli territories, usually followed by Israeli reprisals 1956 Nasser (d. 1970) nationalises Suez Canal and closes Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, leading to…

4. …1956 Suez Crisis (Second Arab-Israeli War) October 1956 Israelis, French and British attack Egypt in order to take control of Suez Canal, but USA and USSR intervene, and UN forces allies to halt attacks and withdraw troops 1964 Arab states found Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)

5. PLO attacks, border incidents and Egyptian closure of Straits of Tiran (in fear of Israeli attack) lead to Third Arab-Israeli War in 1967 5th June 1967 Israelis launch attack on Egypt Israelis destroy Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian air forces then occupy Gaza Strip, Sinai, west bank of Jordan (incl. E. Jerusalem) and Golan Heights. UN imposes cease-fire

6. 1968-70 PLO attacks on Israel, bringing reprisals on Jordan and Lebanon 1969-70 Israelis and Egyptians fight war along Suez Canal 1970-71 “Black September.” King Husayn of Jordan (d. 1999) drives PLO from Jordan to Lebanon 1973 Fourth Arab-Israeli War. Syrians and Egyptians attack Israel on Yom Kippur. Initial Arab successes are reversed by Israeli counterattacks

7. 1977 Anwar al-Sadat opens negotiations with Israelis 1978 Camp David Accords. Peace between Egypt and Israel, but agreements concerning Palestinians not really honoured by Begin

8. 1975-81 Civil war in Lebanon, followed by interventions in country by Syria and Israel 1982-83 Fifth Arab-Israeli war. Israelis invade Lebanon, drive Syrians and PLO out and install friendly government. During conflict, hundreds of Palestinian refugees are killed by Israelis’ allies, blamed on Ariel Sharon. In wake of conflict, Lebanon sinks into civil strife

9. 1987-93 First Intifada (“shaking off”). Palestinian demonstrations and riots met with arrests and deportations. Many deaths on both sides 1993 Oslo Accords between Israelis and PLO. Palestinians promised self-rule in small part of West Bank in exchange for PLO renouncing violence. Yasser Arafat (d. 2004) becomes head of Palestinian National Authority. He, Yitzhak Rabin (d. 1995) and Shimon Perez win Nobel Peace Prize

10. Oslo accords are opposed by Israeli religious nationalists and settlers and Palestinian Islamic extremists including Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) and Islamic Jihad 1994 Peace between Jordan and Israel July 2000 Arafat and Ehud Barak meet at Camp David, but to no avail

11. September 2000 Second Intifada breaks out in wake of visit to Temple Mount by Ariel Sharon 2002 “Roadmap” launched by USA, European Union, Russia and UN 2003 Israelis start building West Bank Barrier in occupied territories 2005 Ariel Sharon withdraws settlers from Gaza Strip

12. January 2006 Hamas defeats Fatah party in Palestinian elections. USA, EU and Israel suspend aid to Palestinian National Authority until Hamas recognises Israel July-September 2006 Hizb Allah and Israel fight war in Lebanon June 2007 Hamas seizes control of Gaza Strip December 2008-January 2009 Israelis invade Gaza (Operation Cast Lead)

13. September 2011 Mahmoud Abbas requests UN recognition for Palestinian state. USA is expected to veto

14. Obstacles to Peace: Jerusalem Borders Settlements Refugees Security