History1916 or 1917
Mendel Portugali Dies
Mendel Portugali, a founder of Hashomer, died after his weapon discharged following a night on guard. Accounts date his death to 1916 or 1917.
Region · Living archive
Israel
124 connected records
History4 Iyyar · observed date may vary
Yom HaZikaron
Yom HaZikaron’s nominal Hebrew date is 4 Iyyar, the day before Yom HaAtzmaut. Israeli law moves the observed date when that pairing would conflict with Shabbat. There is no fixed Gregorian anniversary.
History5 Iyyar · observed date may vary
Yom HaAtzmaut
Yom HaAtzmaut’s nominal Hebrew date is 5 Iyyar, the anniversary of the 14 May 1948 declaration. Israeli law moves the observed date when 5 Iyyar falls on Friday, Saturday, or Monday. There is no fixed Gregorian anniversary.
HistoryAugust 12, 2021
Igael Tumarkin Dies
On 12 August 2021, the sculptor Igael Tumarkin died at the age of 87.
HistoryMarch 11, 2021
Operation Tzur Israel Ends
On March 11, 2021, the last flight of Operation Tzur Israel landed, bringing the airlift to about 2,000 Ethiopian immigrants.
HistoryFebruary 5, 2021
Ruth Dayan Dies
On February 5, 2021, Ruth Dayan died in Tel Aviv at 103. She founded the Maskit fashion house in 1954.
HistoryAugust 31, 2020
El Al Flies from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi
On 31 August 2020, El Al flight LY971 made the first direct flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates.
HistoryAugust 13, 2020
Israel and the United Arab Emirates Agree to Normalize Relations
On August 13, 2020, Israel and the United Arab Emirates agreed to full diplomatic relations. The treaty was signed on September 15.
HistoryAugust 23, 2019
Rina Shnerb Is Killed Near Dolev
On 23 August 2019, a bomb killed 17-year-old Rina Shnerb as she hiked near Dolev with her father and brother.
HistoryFebruary 19, 2016
Samuel Willenberg Dies
On this day, February 19, 2016, Samuel Willenberg, a survivor of Treblinka and of its 1943 revolt, died in Israel at 93.
HistoryApril 30, 2012
Benzion Netanyahu Dies
Benzion Netanyahu died at his home in Jerusalem on 30 April 2012. He was 102.
HistoryAugust 1, 2006
Michael Levin Is Killed in Lebanon
On 1 August 2006, Staff Sergeant Michael Levin, a paratrooper from Pennsylvania, was killed in Lebanon.
HistoryJune 25, 2006
Gilad Shalit Is Captured
On June 25, 2006, militants tunneled into Israel near Kerem Shalom, killed two soldiers, and took Gilad Shalit into Gaza.
HistorySeptember 20, 2005
Simon Wiesenthal Dies
On this day, September 20, 2005, Simon Wiesenthal died in Vienna. A survivor of several camps, he spent the postwar decades documenting fugitive Nazi criminals.
HistoryAugust 22, 2005
Israel Completes the Evacuation of Gaza Settlements
On August 22, 2005, Israel finished removing residents from the Gaza settlements. Four West Bank settlements were cleared the next day.
HistoryJanuary 29, 2004
Israel and Hezbollah Exchange Prisoners
On January 29, 2004, Israel and Hezbollah completed a German-brokered exchange. Elhanan Tannenbaum and three soldiers’ bodies came home.
HistoryAugust 19, 2003
A Suicide Bomber Attacks a Jerusalem Bus
On 19 August 2003, a suicide bomber destroyed a No. 2 Egged bus in Jerusalem's Shmuel HaNavi neighborhood.
HistoryFebruary 1, 2003
Columbia Breaks Apart, Killing Ilan Ramon
On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry. Israeli payload specialist Ilan Ramon died with the crew.
HistoryOctober 17, 2001
Rehavam Ze'evi Is Murdered
On 17 October 2001, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine murdered Rehavam Ze'evi in Jerusalem.
HistoryAugust 9, 2001
A Suicide Bomber Attacks the Sbarro Pizzeria
On 9 August 2001, a suicide bomber killed 15 people at the Sbarro pizzeria in Jerusalem.
HistoryJune 1, 2001
The Dolphinarium Bombing
On June 1, 2001, a Hamas suicide bomber killed 21 people outside the Dolphinarium nightclub in Tel Aviv.
HistoryDecember 10, 2000
Ehud Barak Resigns as Prime Minister
On 10 December 2000, Ehud Barak resigned as prime minister and called a special election.
HistoryOctober 26, 1994
Israel and Jordan Sign a Peace Treaty
On October 26, 1994, Yitzhak Rabin and Abdul Salam Majali signed a peace treaty at the Arava crossing. Bill Clinton witnessed it.
HistorySeptember 13, 1993
Israel and the PLO Sign the Oslo Declaration
On September 13, 1993, Yitzhak Rabin and Mahmoud Abbas signed the Declaration of Principles on the White House lawn.
HistoryJune 23, 1992
Labor Wins the 1992 Knesset Election
On 23 June 1992, Labor under Yitzhak Rabin won the election for the 13th Knesset.
HistoryMarch 9, 1992
Menachem Begin Dies
On this day, March 9, 1992, former Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin died at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. He was buried the same day on the Mount of Olives beside his wife, Aliza.
HistoryApril 24, 1990
The House Acknowledges Jerusalem as Israel's Capital
On 24 April 1990, the House of Representatives voted to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
HistoryFebruary 16, 1987
Demjanjuk Trial Opens in Jerusalem
On this day, February 16, 1987, John Demjanjuk’s trial opened in Jerusalem. Prosecutors charged that he was the Treblinka guard known as Ivan the Terrible. That identification was later overturned.
History1986
Avera Mengistu Is Born
Avera Mengistu was born in Ethiopia in 1986. He was held in Gaza from 2014 until 2025.
HistoryFebruary 1986
Yisrael Galili Dies
In February 1986, Yisrael Galili died at his home. He had headed the Haganah national command and advised Levi Eshkol and Golda Meir.
HistoryJanuary 5, 1985
Operation Moses Ends
In early January 1985 the covert airlift of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan to Israel ended after public disclosure. Flights had begun in November 1984. Contemporary counts of those brought to Israel range from about 7,000 to 10,000.
HistoryFebruary 10, 1983
Emil Grunzweig Is Killed
On February 10, 1983, a grenade thrown at a Peace Now demonstration in Jerusalem killed Emil Grunzweig and wounded nine other people.
HistoryApril 23, 1982
Israel Evacuates Yamit
On April 23, 1982, the Israel Defense Forces removed the last resisters from Yamit before the Sinai was returned to Egypt.
HistoryJune 7, 1981
Israeli Aircraft Destroy the Osirak Reactor
On 7 June 1981, Israeli aircraft destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor.
HistoryFebruary 26, 1980
Egypt and Israel Exchange Ambassadors
On February 26, 1980, Egypt and Israel exchanged ambassadors. Saad Mortada presented his credentials in Jerusalem.
HistoryNovember 25, 1979
Israel Returns the Alma Oil Field
On November 25, 1979, Israel returned the Alma oil fields on the Gulf of Suez to Egypt.
HistoryMarch 26, 1979
Egypt and Israel Sign a Peace Treaty
On this day, March 26, 1979, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin signed the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in Washington, witnessed by Jimmy Carter.
HistoryOctober 27, 1978
Sadat and Begin Are Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
On 27 October 1978, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.
HistoryNovember 20, 1977
Anwar Sadat Addresses the Knesset
On November 20, 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat spoke to the Knesset in Jerusalem.
History9 or 10 June 1977 (rescue day uncertain)
The Yuvali Rescues 66 Vietnamese Refugees
In mid-June 1977 the Israeli freighter Yuvali took 66 Vietnamese refugees aboard in the South China Sea. Contemporaneous JTA dated the rescue 9 June; a later reconstruction dates it 10 June. The group reached Israel on 27 June after Menachem Begin offered asylum.
HistoryMay 17, 1977
Likud Wins the 1977 Election
On May 17, 1977, Likud won 43 seats and ended the Labor Alignment’s hold on the Knesset.
HistoryJune 3, 1974
Yitzhak Rabin Becomes Prime Minister
On 3 June 1974, Yitzhak Rabin became prime minister of Israel.
HistorySeptember 5, 1972
Black September Attacks the Israeli Olympic Team
On September 5, 1972, eight Black September gunmen attacked the Israeli team at the Munich Olympics. Eleven Israelis were murdered.
HistoryMay 30, 1972
The Lod Airport Massacre
On May 30, 1972, three Japanese Red Army gunmen opened fire at Lod Airport, killing 26 people.
HistoryMay 8, 1972
Black September Hijacks Sabena Flight 571
On May 8, 1972, four Black September members hijacked Sabena Flight 571 on the way from Vienna to Tel Aviv.
HistoryMay 18, 1971
The Night of the Panthers
On May 18, 1971, about 6,000 people rallied in Jerusalem against discrimination toward Mizrahi Jews. Police and protesters clashed.
HistoryMarch 3, 1971
Israeli Black Panthers Hold Their First Demonstration
On this day, March 3, 1971, the Israeli Black Panthers held their first demonstration in Jerusalem after a permit was denied and organizers were detained.
History17 March 1969
Golda Meir Becomes Prime Minister of Israel
On this day, March 17, 1969, Golda Meir presented the government that made her Israel’s first woman prime minister, succeeding Levi Eshkol.
HistoryJuly 23, 1968
The PFLP Hijacks El Al Flight 426
On July 23, 1968, El Al Flight 426 landed in Algiers after three PFLP members seized it on the way from Rome.
HistoryNovember 22, 1967
The Security Council Adopts Resolution 242
On 22 November 1967, the Security Council adopted Resolution 242 unanimously.
HistoryJune 1967
The ZIM Ship Dolphin Passes the Straits of Tiran
In June 1967, the ZIM ship Dolphin passed through the Straits of Tiran on the way to Eilat.
HistoryJune 7, 1967
Israeli Forces Enter Jerusalem's Old City
On 7 June 1967, Israeli paratroopers entered the Old City of Jerusalem through the Lions' Gate.
HistoryAugust 30, 1966
The Knesset Dedicates Its Building
On August 30, 1966, the Knesset dedicated its building in Jerusalem. About 6,000 guests attended.
HistoryMay 18, 1965
Syria Hangs Eli Cohen
On this day, May 18, 1965, Syrian authorities hanged Eli Cohen in Damascus. He had been convicted of spying for Israel.
Historynight of 31 May–1 June 1962
Israel Hangs Adolf Eichmann
Adolf Eichmann was hanged at Ramla Prison on the night of May 31–June 1, 1962, after President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi refused clemency.
HistoryDecember 15, 1961
Eichmann Is Sentenced to Death
On this day, December 15, 1961, an Israeli court sentenced Adolf Eichmann to death in Jerusalem. The verdict had been read on December 11.
HistoryMay 11, 1960
Mossad Captures Adolf Eichmann in Argentina
On this day, May 11, 1960, Israeli agents captured Adolf Eichmann near Buenos Aires. He was tried in Jerusalem in 1961 and hanged in 1962.
History1958
Avigdor Lieberman Is Born
Avigdor Lieberman was born in Kishinev in 1958. Published notices do not agree on the day.
HistoryAugust 7, 1955
Bar-Ilan University Opens
On this day, August 7, 1955, Bar-Ilan University opened in Ramat Gan. The plan had been formed by American Mizrachi leaders around 1950.
HistoryJuly 27, 1955
Bulgaria Shoots Down El Al Flight 402
On 27 July 1955, Bulgarian fighters shot down El Al flight 402. All 58 people on board were killed.
HistorySeptember 10, 1952
Israel and West Germany Sign the Luxembourg Agreement
On this day, September 10, 1952, Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany signed the Luxembourg reparations agreement. It entered into force on 27 March 1953.
HistorySeptember 1950
Operation Magic Carpet Ends
In September 1950, the airlift of Yemenite Jews known as Operation Magic Carpet came to an end.
HistoryJuly 12, 1950
The Knesset Enacts the Magen David Adom Law
On 12 July 1950, the Knesset enacted the Magen David Adom Law, giving the society its national legal status.
HistoryJuly 5, 1950
Knesset Passes the Law of Return
On this day, July 5, 1950, the Knesset passed the Law of Return, stating that every Jew has the right to come to Israel as an oleh.
HistoryDecember 13, 1949
The Mossad Is Established
On 13 December 1949, David Ben-Gurion authorized the institute that became the Mossad.
HistoryFebruary 14, 1949
First Knesset Convenes
On this day, February 14, 1949, Israel’s First Knesset held its inaugural session in Jerusalem. Yosef Sprinzak was elected speaker.
HistoryJanuary 25, 1949
Israel Holds Its First Knesset Election
On this day, January 25, 1949, Israel held its first national election. Mapai, led by David Ben-Gurion, won the largest share of the 120-seat assembly.
HistoryOctober 28, 1948
Israel Adopts Its Flag
On October 28, 1948, the Provisional Council of State adopted the Zionist flag as the flag of Israel.
HistoryOctober 15, 1948
Operation Yoav Begins
On 15 October 1948, the Israel Defense Forces opened Operation Yoav in the Negev.
HistoryJune 22, 1948
The IDF Shells the Altalena
On June 22, 1948, IDF guns set the Altalena on fire off Tel Aviv. Sixteen Irgun fighters and three soldiers were killed in the confrontation.
HistoryJune 3, 1948
Mordechai Alon Attacks Egyptian Bombers Over Tel Aviv
On 3 June 1948, Mordechai Alon attacked Egyptian bombers over Tel Aviv in the air force's only serviceable fighter.
HistoryMay 26, 1948
The Israel Defense Forces Are Established
On May 26, 1948, David Ben-Gurion signed the ordinance that established the Israel Defense Forces and barred any other armed force.
HistoryMay 15, 1948
Arab Armies Invade Israel
On 15 May 1948, the armies of five Arab states invaded Israel, the day after independence.
HistoryMay 14, 1948
Israel Declares Independence
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence at the Tel Aviv Museum, eight hours before the British Mandate ended.
HistoryMay 13, 1948
Kfar Etzion Falls
On May 13, 1948, Kfar Etzion fell. Defenders who had gathered after a cease-fire were fired on, and only four survived.
HistoryApril 9, 1948
Irgun and Lehi Attack Deir Yassin
On April 9, 1948, the Irgun and Lehi attacked Deir Yassin. Later counts of the dead cluster around 100, not the early figure of about 250.
HistoryFebruary 22, 1948
The Golani Brigade Is Formed
On February 22, 1948, the Golani Brigade was formed in the Galilee from part of the Levanoni Brigade.
HistoryNovember 29, 1947
The United Nations Votes to Partition Palestine
On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 by 33 votes to 13, with 10 abstentions.
HistoryJuly 11, 1947
Exodus 1947 Sails from Sète
On this day, July 11, 1947, the former President Warfield left Sète, France, carrying more than 4,500 Jewish displaced persons toward Mandatory Palestine.
HistoryApril 16, 1947
Britain Hangs Four Irgun Men at Acre
On April 16, 1947, British authorities hanged Dov Gruner, Yehiel Dresner, Mordechai Alkahi, and Eliezer Kashani at Acre Prison.
HistoryFebruary 18, 1947
Britain Refers Palestine to the United Nations
On February 18, 1947, Ernest Bevin told the House of Commons that Britain would submit the Palestine problem to the United Nations.
HistoryJune 16, 1946
The Night of the Bridges
On the night of June 16, 1946, the Palmach attacked bridges linking Mandatory Palestine to neighboring countries. Fourteen fighters were killed at Akhziv.
HistoryNovember 7, 1944
Hannah Szenes Is Executed
On this day, November 7, 1944, Hannah Szenes was executed by firing squad in Budapest. She was 23.
HistoryAugust 1944
Berl Katznelson Dies
In August 1944, Berl Katznelson, editor of Davar, died in Jerusalem.
HistoryFebruary 12, 1942
Avraham Stern Is Killed
On this day, February 12, 1942, British police shot Avraham Stern, founder of Lehi, in a Tel Aviv apartment. The circumstances of the shooting remain disputed.
HistoryMay 15, 1941
The Palmach Is Established
On May 15, 1941, the Haganah national command ordered the Palmach formed as a countrywide combat reserve.
HistoryJuly 1940
Max Bodenheimer Dies in Jerusalem
In July 1940, Max Bodenheimer died in Jerusalem. He had accompanied Theodor Herzl to Constantinople and Palestine in 1898.
HistoryJanuary 3, 1939
Arik Einstein Is Born
On January 3, 1939, Arieh Einstein was born in Tel Aviv. He became a pioneer of Israeli rock and died there in 2013.
HistoryDecember 26, 1936
The Palestine Orchestra Gives Its First Concert
On 26 December 1936, Arturo Toscanini conducted the Palestine Orchestra's first concert in Tel Aviv.
HistoryJune 7, 1930
Magen David Adom Is Founded
On this day, June 7, 1930, physicians in Tel Aviv founded the emergency-aid society that became Magen David Adom.
HistoryJune 7, 1930
Magen David Adom Is Founded in Tel Aviv
On June 7, 1930, the society that became Magen David Adom was founded in Tel Aviv.
HistoryAugust 11, 1929
The Enlarged Jewish Agency Convenes
On August 11, 1929, the council of the enlarged Jewish Agency opened in Zurich at the close of the Sixteenth Zionist Congress.
HistoryFebruary 26, 1928
Ariel Sharon Is Born
On February 26, 1928, Ariel Sharon was born in Kfar Malal. He later served as prime minister of Israel.
History1926
Sami Michael Is Born
Sami Michael was born Kamal Salah Menashe in Baghdad in 1926. He died in 2024.
HistoryApril 9, 1923
Shlomo Hillel Is Born
On April 9, 1923, Shlomo Hillel was born in Baghdad. He later organized the airlift of Iraqi Jews to Israel.
HistoryJuly 24, 1922
League of Nations Confirms the Palestine Mandate
On this day, July 24, 1922, the Council of the League of Nations confirmed the Mandate for Palestine. The instrument is dated London that day. It is not a ratification of a Jewish state.
History1920
Harold “Smoky” Simon Is Born
Harold “Smoky” Simon was born in Johannesburg in 1920. He later helped build the Israeli Air Force.
HistoryJune 15, 1920
The Haganah Is Founded
On 15 June 1920, the Ahdut HaAvoda convention at Kinneret resolved to establish the Haganah.
History1918
Yoel Palgi Is Born
Yoel Palgi, born Emil Nussbacher in Cluj, was born in 1918. Biographical records do not agree on the day.
HistoryMarch 14, 1918
Abba Kovner Is Born
On this day, March 14, 1918, Abba Kovner was born in Sevastopol. He later led resistance in the Vilna ghetto and testified at the Eichmann trial.
HistoryMarch 12, 1915
Alexandria Refugees Resolve to Form a Jewish Legion
On March 12, 1915, Jewish refugees in Alexandria signed a resolution to form a Jewish legion and offer it to Britain.
History1914
Zena Harman Is Born
Zena Harman was born in London in 1914. She died in Jerusalem on 21 January 2013.
History1913
Avraham Sutzkever Is Born
Avraham Sutzkever, the Yiddish poet, was born in 1913. He died in Tel Aviv on 20 January 2010.
HistoryAugust 16, 1913
Menachem Begin Is Born
Menachem Begin was born in Brest-Litovsk on 16 August 1913.
HistoryMay 27, 1911
Teddy Kollek Is Born
On May 27, 1911, Theodor Kollek was born in Nagyvázsony, Hungary. He later served as mayor of Jerusalem.
History1910
Natan Alterman Is Born
Natan Alterman was born in Warsaw in 1910. He moved to Tel Aviv in 1925.
HistoryApril 11, 1909
Tel Aviv Is Founded
On this day, April 11, 1909, families gathered on the dunes north of Jaffa and drew lots for the plots that became Ahuzat Bayit, later Tel Aviv.
HistorySeptember 25, 1905
Nahman Avigad Is Born
Nahman Avigad was born in Zawalow, Galicia, on 25 September 1905.
HistoryMay 13, 1905
Franz Krausz Is Born
On May 13, 1905, the graphic artist Franz Krausz was born in Sankt Pölten. He later designed the 1936 Visit Palestine poster.
HistoryJuly 1904
Haim Ben-Asher Is Born
Haim Ben-Asher was born in Odessa in July 1904. He later served in the first two Knessets.
HistoryJuly 3, 1904
Theodor Herzl Dies
On July 3, 1904, Theodor Herzl died at Edlach in Lower Austria. He was 44.
HistoryMarch 28, 1900
Mordechai Bentov Is Born
On March 28, 1900, Mordechai Bentov was born in Grodzisk Mazowiecki. He later signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
HistoryFebruary 14, 1896
Theodor Herzl Publishes Der Judenstaat
On this day, February 14, 1896, Theodor Herzl’s pamphlet Der Judenstaat was published. It argued for a sovereign Jewish state as a political answer to modern antisemitism.
HistoryAugust 12, 1889
Eleazar Sukenik Is Born
On August 12, 1889, Eleazar Lipa Sukenik was born in Białystok. He later identified the age of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
HistoryFebruary 19, 1888
Rachel Cohen-Kagan Is Born
On February 19, 1888, Rachel Cohen-Kagan was born in Odessa. She later signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
Historyc. 1878
Naphtali Herz Imber Writes Hatikvah
In 1878, Naphtali Herz Imber wrote the poem that became Hatikvah, probably in Iași.
History1875
Shaul Tchernichovsky Is Born
Shaul Tchernichovsky, the Hebrew poet and physician, was born in Mikhailovka in 1875.
HistoryMarch 1865
Max Bodenheimer Is Born
Max Isidor Bodenheimer was born in Stuttgart in March 1865. A Tübingen student file records the day as 21 March.
HistoryMay 2, 1860
Theodor Herzl Is Born
On this day, May 2, 1860, Theodor Herzl was born in Budapest. He later organized political Zionism and convened the First Zionist Congress.
History1856
A. D. Gordon Is Born
Aaron David Gordon, later a Labor Zionist thinker of the Second Aliyah, was born in Troyanov in 1856. Later biographies give 9 or 10 June.
HistoryJuly 24, 1834
Egyptian Troops Attack the Jews of Hebron
On July 24, 1834, Ibrahim Pasha’s troops took Hebron. Jews who had not joined the revolt were killed and robbed.
HistoryMarch 24, 1795
Zvi Hirsch Kalischer Is Born
On this day, March 24, 1795, Zvi Hirsch Kalischer was born in Lissa, in the Prussian province of Posen. He later argued for Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel.