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
Middle East
Approved exact-token mapping from the canonical History geography crosswalk.
75 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.
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 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.
HistoryJune 1, 2001
The Dolphinarium Bombing
On June 1, 2001, a Hamas suicide bomber killed 21 people outside the Dolphinarium nightclub in Tel Aviv.
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.
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.
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.
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 30, 1972
The Lod Airport Massacre
On May 30, 1972, three Japanese Red Army gunmen opened fire at Lod Airport, killing 26 people.
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.
HistorySeptember 1, 1967
The Khartoum Summit Adopts the Three Noes
On September 1, 1967, Arab heads of state in Khartoum resolved: no peace with Israel, no recognition, and no negotiations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
HistoryJanuary 26, 1945
Abba Berdichev Is Executed
On this day, January 26, 1945, the Nazis murdered Yishuv paratrooper Abba Berdichev at Mauthausen after capturing him in Slovakia.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.