The State of Israel
Learn about the State of Israel — its founding in 1948, the Arab-Israeli conflicts, and its role as a focal point of Middle Eastern and global geopolitics.
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 was the culmination of Zionism, the Jewish nationalist movement that emerged in late 19th-century Europe in response to antisemitism. After the devastation of the Holocaust, international support for a Jewish homeland intensified, and the United Nations voted to partition British-controlled Palestine into Jewish and Arab states in 1947. Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, and was immediately invaded by neighboring Arab states in the first of several wars.
Israel's history has been defined by conflict and resilience. Successive wars in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973 shaped its borders and regional position. The Six-Day War of 1967 brought Israel control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula, creating an occupation that remains one of the world's most contentious political issues. Peace agreements with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) demonstrated the possibility of Arab-Israeli reconciliation, while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resisted resolution.
Israel has built a technologically advanced, democratic society with a vibrant cultural life and a complex identity shaped by immigration from across the Jewish diaspora. The ongoing tension between security concerns, democratic values, and the aspirations of Palestinians continues to make Israel a focal point of regional and global politics. Understanding this history requires engaging with multiple narratives and legitimate grievances on all sides.