February 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.
Middle East
Thursday, November 5, 2026
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January 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.
Israel
June 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.
Israel
May 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.
IsraelAntisemitismZionismJews in Politics
Israel
May 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.
IsraelHolocaustZionismJews in Politics
Israel
May 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.
Israel
April 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.
Israel
February 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.
Israel
July 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.
HolocaustIsraelWorld War IIAntisemitismZionism
Europe
April 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.
Israel
February 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.
Europe
June 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.
Israel