Israel Palestine conflict explained: A simple timeline and map

Published date20 May 2021
Publication titleExpress, The/The Express on Sunday: Web Edition Articles (London, England)
Britain takes control of the region known as Palestine after the Ottoman Empire is defeated in World War One.

At this time, the land is inhabited by an Arab majority, with a Jewish minority, but without conflict.

Britain begins establishing a 'national home' for Jews in the region as more and more Jewish people flee persecution in Europe.

This leads to an increase in tensions between the groups - the area is seen as the ancestral home of both Jews and Arabs, with both groups claiming rights to the land.

After World War Two as more Jews flee to the region, violence between the groups grows, as well as against British rule.

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The UN votes for Palestine to be split into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem becoming an international city.

The move is accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arab side and never implemented.

Unable to solve the problem, British rulers leave the region.

The state of Israel is created by Jewish leaders.

Palestinians object to the creation of Israel and a war follows, with neighbouring Arab countries forming a coalition with Palestinian factions.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee or are forced out of their homes in what they call Al Nakba, or the 'Catastrophe'.

The fighting ends in a ceasefire, and Israel controls most of the territory.

Jordan occupies land which became known as the West Bank, and Egypt occupied Gaza.

Jerusalem is divided between Israeli forces in the West, and Jordanian forces in the East.

Without a peace agreement, tensions continue simmering.

1967The “Six-Day War” begins with Israeli warplanes striking Egyptian airfields and Israeli ground forces entering the Sinai Peninsula.

Jordan joins the fighting alongside Egypt, but Israeli forces have the upper hand and take control of the Gaza Strip, Sinai, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and predominantly Arab East Jerusalem.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians flee or are displaced.

None of the Palestinians displaced - or their descendants - have ever been allowed to return home, as Israel said it would overwhelm the country and threaten its existence as a Jewish state.

A coalition of Arab nations, led by Egypt and Syria, launch a surprise attack on Israel.

The Arab forces initially gain ground, but are driven back by an Israeli counter-offensive aided by supplies from allies, including the United States.

A peace deal between Egyptian President Anwar...

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