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.
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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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
HistoryJune 1, 2001
The Dolphinarium Bombing
On June 1, 2001, a Hamas suicide bomber killed 21 people outside the Dolphinarium nightclub in Tel Aviv.
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.
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.