War of Attrition Begins Between Egypt and Israel CIE+ members only
Egyptian forces launch a major offensive at Israeli positions on the eastern banks of the Suez Canal, starting the War of Attrition that lasts until August 1970.
El Al Flight Attacked in Athens CIE+ members only
December 26, 1968 El Al Flight 253 from Tel Aviv to New York is about to take off after a layover in Athens when two men posing as passengers approach the Boeing 707. One draws…
Jewish Settlement Established at Hebron CIE+ members only
April 4, 1968 Moshe Levinger and several other Israeli Jews pretending to be Swiss tourists check into a Hebron hotel to establish the first permanent Jewish presence in the city in almost 40 years, taking…
United Nations Adopts Resolution 242 CIE+ members only
In the wake of the June 1967 Six Day War, the United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 242, a document which has served as a framework for all major Arab/Israel negotiations since.
Warship Eilat Is Sunk CIE+ members only
The Israeli destroyer INS Eilat is sunk in the Mediterranean in international waters off Port Said by Soviet-made missiles launched by Egyptian missile boats.
Arab League Says No, No, No CIE+ members only
September 1, 1967 The Arab League summit in Khartoum, Sudan, ends with the signing of the Khartoum Resolutions, best known for the conclusions that become known as the “Three Nos”: no recognition of Israel, no…
Fourth Arab League Summit Convenes
The Fourth Arab League Summit convenes in Khartoum, Sudan. Participants agree that all measures should be taken to regain lands controlled by Israel after the War, and that the oil-rich countries would finance an increased Arab military presence in the region.
Allon Presents Plan for Israeli Control of Jordan Valley CIE+ members only
Penned by Yigal Allon, the Plan is a strategic proposal for Israel’s retention of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank. It includes a series of Jewish settlements and military installations to act as buffers against potential Arab attacks from the east.
Mount Scopus Concert Takes Place CIE+ members only
A packed audience fills the amphitheater on Mount Scopus to celebrate the end of the June 1967 War and to mark the cultural unification of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Officially Reunited CIE+ members only
June 28, 1967 Israel publishes the Jerusalem Declaration, announcing the reunification of the ancient holy city under Israeli sovereignty after the Six-Day War, which ended June 10. The announcement comes 23 days after Jordan chose…
Israel Annexes East Jerusalem After June 1967 War CIE+ members only
Following Israel’s victory and subsequent acquisition of Jordan’s territory along the West Bank of the Jordan River in the war, the Israeli government annexes roughly 70 square kilometers of land next to West Jerusalem.
President Johnson Outlines 5 Principles of Middle East Peace CIE+ members only
Speaking to a group of 800 educators at the State Department, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivers an important foreign policy address, which includes five principles for peace in the Middle East.
Israel Invades Golan Heights CIE+ members only
Israeli forces, under the command of Major General David Elazar, launch an offensive into the Syrian-controlled Golan Heights.
Abba Eban Explains Six-Day War to U.N. Security Council
June 6, 1967 After leaving Jerusalem at the start of the Six-Day War the previous day, Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban speaks to the U.N. Security Council to explain the pre-emptive Israel Defense Forces attacks…
June 1967 War Begins
Egypt was on alert, expecting an Israeli attack to come at dawn. However, the Israelis delay and do not strike until 8:15 AM, when most Egyptian pilots are at breakfast and Egyptian commanders caught in traffic.
Levi Eshkol Appoints Moshe Dayan as Defense Minister CIE+ members only
As tensions with Egypt escalate, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol appoints Moshe Dayan as Defense Minister, leading to Israel’s first national unity government.
Nasser Closes Straits of Tiran, Pushing Toward Six-Day War CIE+ members only
Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser feared that Israeli troops would gather on the Egyptian border and felt compelled to uphold the mutual defense pact he had signed with Syria. On May 19, Nasser banned the 3,500 UNEF troops from Sinai so that he could mobilize Egyptian forces without interference.
Egypt Wants Sinai Peacekeepers to Leave CIE+ members only
May 16, 1967 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser requests that the United Nations withdraw its peacekeeping troops from the Sinai, clearing an obstacle to war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The Six-Day War begins…
“Jerusalem of Gold” Premieres at Israel Song Festival CIE+ members only
The Voice of Israel Song Festival was created in 1960 as part of Israel’s Independence Day celebration and as an opportunity to showcase Israel’s emerging culture.
Israel Downs 6 Syrian MiGs in Air Battle CIE+ members only
After unarmored Israeli tractors were fired upon in the demilitarized zone, Israeli forces began to return fire. The event soon escalated.
Syria, Egypt Sign Defense Treaty CIE+ members only
November 4, 1966 Egypt and Syria sign a mutual defense treaty and create a joint military command. The move comes amid constant low-level violence on the Israeli-Syrian border, characterized by Syrian guerrilla raids and shelling…
Operation Diamond Obtains Iraqi MiG-21
Known as Operation Diamond, the plan to recover a functional, Russian-made MIG-21 fighter jet succeeds after the Mossad cuts a deal with disillusioned Iraqi-Christian fighter pilot Munir Redfa. As part of the deal, Redfa receives $1 million, Israeli citizenship for himself and his family, and guaranteed full-time employment.
U.S. Agrees to Sell A-4 Bombers to Israel CIE+ members only
May 19, 1966 The Johnson administration announces that it will sell A-4 Skyhawk light bombers to Israel, marking the first sale of U.S. warplanes to Israel and a shift from France to the United States…
Army Officers Seize Power in Syria CIE+ members only
February 23, 1966 Saleh Jadid launches a coup of young army officers against a Syrian government of old-guard members of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party who themselves seized power in a coup in 1963. The…
