2nd-Generation Haredim Elected as Chief Rabbis
July 24, 2013 Haredi Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau are elected to 10-year terms as Israel’s chief rabbis — Yosef for the Sephardim and Lau for the Ashkenazim. Each wins 68 of the 147…
Nineteenth Knesset Elections Are Held
Early elections are held following the October 2012 dissolution of the Knesset due to an impasse over the state budget.
Ex-Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir Dies
Yitzhak Shamir, Israel’s seventh Prime Minister and staunch advocate for settlements in the West Bank, passes away in Tel Aviv at the age of 96.
Netanyahu’s Father Dies
April 30, 2012 Benzion Netanyahu, the father of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, dies at home in Jerusalem at the age of 102. He was born Benzion Mileikowsky on March 25, 1910, in Warsaw. His…
March of the Million Challenges Cost of Living
Demonstrating against the rising costs of living and economic inequalities in Israel, more than 450,000 protestors fill the streets throughout the country. It is the largest demonstration in Israel’s history.
International Law Scholar Shabtai Rosenne Dies
September 21, 2010 Legal expert and diplomat Shabtai Rosenne, a law professor at Bar-Ilan University, dies of a heart attack at age 92. He is considered one of the most important international lawyers of the…
Labor Politician Eliyahu Speiser Dies
November 12, 2009 Former Knesset member Eliyahu Speiser dies at age 79. Born in Haifa on March 23, 1930, Speiser was educated at the Hebrew Reali School and Hebrew University, where he earned a degree…
Ex-President Ephraim Katzir Dies
Ephraim Katzir immigrated to Palestine with his family at the age of 9. He goes on to serve as Chief Scientist of the Israel Defense Forces and later as President of Israel.
Netanyahu Invites Kadima, Labor to Join Coalition
February 20, 2009 Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Likud finished second in the Feb. 10 election, receives the mandate to form a government from President Shimon Peres and surprisingly offers to bring leading rivals Kadima and Labor…
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Resigns
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigns amid charges of corruption and financial improprieties.
Hamas Wins Parliamentary Elections
January 26, 2006 Hamas, the militant Palestinian opposition group, wins 76 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Authority’s legislature, a groundbreaking power shift. Because Hamas rejects Israel’s existence, the election results present a new…
Sharon Suffers Massive Stroke
January 4, 2006 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon undergoes a series of life-saving operations at Hadassah Hospital at Ein Kerem to stop bleeding in his brain after experiencing a massive stroke. Sharon, 77, suffered a minor…
Evacuation from Gaza Begins
Soldiers and policemen begin enforcing the Disengagement Implementation Law, entering Gaza settlements and handing out evacuation orders to settlers.
Shinui Party Leaves Government
Led by Israeli television personality Tommy Lapid, Shinui (change), wins fifteen seats in the 2003 Israeli election.
Hatikvah Officially Declared National Anthem
November 10, 2004 More than half a century after the founding of the state of Israel, the Knesset officially adopts “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”) as the national anthem. The song became the anthem of the Zionist…
Sharon Orders 2 Settlements Dismantled
January 3, 2004 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon orders the Israel Defense Forces to remove two illegal Jewish outposts, Tal Binyamin and Havat Maon, from the West Bank. The announcement is unpopular on the right —…
Simcha Dinitz Passes Away
Simcha Dinitz, a longtime Israeli diplomat who served as Israel’s Ambassador to the United States from 1973-1978, passes away at the age of 74.
Political Cartoonist Ze’ev Dies
Yaakov Farkash, known by the pen name Ze’ev and considered the father of Israeli political cartoons, dies at age 79 near Tel Aviv.
Knesset Enacts Tal Law
July 23, 2002 The Knesset votes 51-41 to approve the Tal Law, an effort to address the growing problem of Haredi Jews receiving exemptions from military service. The law, which expires after five years, allows…
Suicide Bomber Kills 15 While Bush, Sharon Meet
May 7, 2002 Prime Minister Ariel Sharon flies home to Israel, cutting short a visit to the United States, after a suicide bomber kills 15 Israelis and wounds 55 others in a pool hall in…
Direct Election Held for Prime Minister
In the only instance in Israel’s history, a direct election is held for Prime Minister without a simultaneous election for the Knesset.
Barak Resigns as Prime Minister
December 10, 2000 Prime Minister Ehud Barak submits his surprise resignation to President Moshe Katsav amid domestic and international political chaos and calls for a special election for prime minister within 60 days rather than…
Leah Rabin Passes Away
Leah Rabin, peace advocate and widow of slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, passes away at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikvah after battling cancer.
Knesset Passes Environmental Enforcement Law
In a move designed to “make the polluter pay,” according to Environment Minister Raphael Eitan, the Knesset passes the Environmental Enforcement Law.
