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By Dr. A. R. Khan

The news is flooded daily with articles about Israel and the wider conflict, yet often these pieces leave readers with only bits and pieces of the larger story.

This article cuts through the noise to provide a clear, comprehensive view by tracing the history of Israel through its critical watershed moments. We cover the 2,000-year Diaspora and the rise of Zionism, the pivotal British Mandate, the defining wars of 1948 and 1967, and the peace processes like the Oslo Accords. Finally, we examine the vital strategic shift in India's relationship to contextualize Israel’s present status as a modern, high-tech state perpetually balancing growth with security.

In the modern world, few regions hold the emotional, historical, and geopolitical weight of Israel and the surrounding land. To truly understand the volatile nature of the current crisis, we must trace a story spanning millennia—a tale of deep faith, relentless migration, strategic diplomacy, and nation-building under immense pressure. This is a look at the history of the modern state of Israel, told not as a dry timeline, but as a narrative of watershed moments that reshaped the Middle East and, indeed, the world.

1. The Deep Roots: Diaspora and the Call Home (Ancient Era to 19th Century)

The story begins in the ancient world, with the land known historically as Canaan, later Judea. For the Jewish people, this area holds profound significance, being the site of the two great Temples of Jerusalem. The first great watershed moment—and the source of the longing that fueled the state’s eventual creation—was the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, which led to the vast majority of Jews being exiled from their homeland in what is known as the Diaspora.

For nearly 2,000 years, Jewish communities scattered across the globe, maintaining their identity and the fervent prayer, "Next year in Jerusalem."

The modern movement began to crystallize in the late 19th century. Faced with rising antisemitism and pogroms in Europe, thinkers like Theodor Herzl concluded that the only true security lay in establishing a sovereign state. This ideology, Zionism, became the driving force. The First Aliyah (1881–1903), often spearheaded by groups like the Bilu, saw thousands of idealistic pioneers migrate back to the Ottoman-controlled region of Palestine to work the land, setting the stage for political confrontation and modern nation-building.

2. The Mandate Era: Britain’s Pivotal Role (1917–1948)

The start of the 20th century brought the next series of critical junctures. The dissolution of the Ottoman Empire following World War I left the region under the control of the victorious European powers.

Watershed Moment: The Balfour Declaration (1917)

This British governmental statement is arguably the most critical diplomatic document in the history of the modern state. Signed by Arthur Balfour, the Declaration expressed British support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people."

The British government’s vision at the time can be viewed as an attempt to leverage diplomatic support while acknowledging the historical aspirations of a landless people. The subsequent British administration, the Mandate for Palestine (1920–1948), took on the challenging task of managing two burgeoning national movements—Jewish Zionism and Arab Nationalism—each claiming the same territory.

Under the British Mandate, Jewish immigration surged, leading to land purchases, the formation of self-defense groups (Haganah), and the rapid development of urban centers like Tel Aviv. However, rising Arab unrest compelled Britain to shift policy. The most restrictive action was the White Paper of 1939, which severely curtailed Jewish immigration and restricted land sales, a controversial measure taken just before World War II. The increasing density and competing claims inevitably led to civil unrest, culminating in the Arab Revolt of 1936–1939 and the devastating impact of the Holocaust in the early 1940s, which tragically underscored the Zionist argument for a safe refuge.

3. Birth Under Fire and Defining Wars (1948–1979)

Exhausted by the intractable conflict and global pressure following World War II, the UK referred the problem to the newly formed United Nations (UN). The UN recommended the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states.

Watershed Moment: Declaration of Independence (1948)

On May 14, 1948, Israel declared independence immediately upon the end of the British Mandate. This act marked the most important watershed moment in the nation’s history. However, it instantly triggered the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence), as a coalition of Arab states invaded the new nation. Though outnumbered, the nascent Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) secured victory, leading to the signing of armistice agreements that defined the country's early borders (known as the Green Line). This war also created the Palestinian refugee issue (known as the Nakba or "Catastrophe" to Palestinians).

This was followed by two decisive conflicts:

1. 1956 Suez Crisis: An attempt by Egypt to nationalize the Suez Canal, leading to a coordinated attack by Israel, the UK, and France.
2. 1967 Six-Day War (The Pivotal Watershed): In response to the massing of Egyptian troops and the closure of the Straits of Tiran, Israel launched a preemptive strike. In six days, Israel defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, conquering the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. This victory permanently changed the geopolitical map of the Middle East, initiating the occupation of territories that remains the core issue of the conflict today.
3. 1973 Yom Kippur War: A surprise attack launched by Egypt and Syria. While Israel eventually stabilized the front and counter-attacked, the initial setbacks led to a profound reassessment of the country’s defense and intelligence apparatus.

Watershed Moment: Camp David Accords (1979)

Under the mediation of US President Jimmy Carter, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed the Camp David Accords. This watershed moment resulted in the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation (Egypt) and Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. The United States’ involvement was crucial in making this diplomatic breakthrough possible, reinforcing its ongoing role as a key mediator and guarantor of regional stability.

4. Intifadas, Peace Attempts, and Retrenchment (1980s–2000s)

The 1980s and 1990s were characterized by continuous low-intensity conflict and renewed efforts toward peace. The first Intifada (uprising) began in 1987, highlighting the deep frustration within the Palestinian population living under occupation.

Watershed Moment: The Oslo Accords (1993)

Secret negotiations in Oslo, Norway, led to the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This was a major watershed moment because it established mutual recognition between Israel and the PLO and created the Palestinian Authority (PA), giving Palestinians limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Subsequent agreements, such as Oslo II (1995), formally divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C, defining the current administrative geography of the territory. The image of PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin shaking hands on the White House lawn epitomized the hope for a two-state solution. Tragically, Rabin’s assassination in 1995 by a Jewish extremist and the subsequent failure of peace talks led to the outbreak of the Second Intifada (2000–2005).

The early 2000s saw Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in 2005, removing all settlers and military installations, which was followed by Hamas taking control of the territory in 2007. This further solidified the physical and political separation between Gaza and the West Bank.

5. India’s Strategic Pivot: From Non-Alignment to Partnership

India's relationship with Israel is a story of slow diplomatic change, moving from principled distance to profound strategic convergence.

For decades after its independence, India followed a policy of non-alignment, championing the cause of the Palestinian people and recognizing the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians. Full diplomatic relations were maintained only with Arab states, and Israel's consulate in Mumbai remained low-key.

Watershed Moment: Formal Diplomatic Relations (1992)

The collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of economic liberalization in India, and the success of the Oslo Accords created the geopolitical space for change. In 1992, India formally established full diplomatic relations with Israel. This watershed moment was driven by India’s changing strategic needs, particularly in defense and high-technology agriculture.

Today, the relationship between New Delhi and Jerusalem is robust, dynamic, and characterized by a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. India views Israel as a crucial provider of advanced defense technology, including missile defense systems, surveillance, and drones, which are vital for India’s national security. Furthermore, Israeli expertise in water management, drip irrigation, and desert agriculture has been instrumental in supporting Indian farmers. This relationship is a clear example of how modern, pragmatic diplomacy can overcome historical geopolitical alignments to serve mutual national interests, marking a positive and enduring bond between two ancient civilizations.

6. The Modern Crossroads and Present Status

The current status of Israel is defined by deep internal political divisions, rapid economic growth as a "Start-up Nation," and the enduring, fundamental challenge of security and its relationship with the Palestinians and its neighbors.

The United States continues its role as a key security ally, providing significant foreign aid and diplomatic support, particularly in the UN. This role has been key in recent years, notably with the Abraham Accords (2020)—a major watershed moment that saw Israel normalize relations with several Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, fundamentally changing the regional landscape. US foreign policy focuses on regional stability and supporting normalization efforts, which are essential for long-term peace.

Internally, Israeli politics are often fragmented, with shifting coalition governments that reflect diverse ideological views on security, the settlements, and the relationship between religion and state. This domestic complexity adds another layer of challenge to formulating a stable, long-term policy toward the conflict.

The most recent and ongoing crisis represents a continuation of the cycle of violence rooted in the historical events outlined above. It is a harsh reminder that while peace treaties were achieved with Egypt, Jordan, and later through the Abraham Accords with several Gulf states, the core issue—the future and security of the Israelis and the Palestinians, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank—remains unresolved.

The present status is one of perpetual tension, where military responses are balanced against international diplomacy. The goal of a secure, internationally recognized State of Israel living peacefully alongside a viable, secure State of Palestine remains the stated objective of much of the international community, including India and the United States, yet the path to achieving it has never been more complicated.

Conclusion: A History of Unfinished Chapters

The history of Israel is a remarkable testament to the creation of a nation state against overwhelming odds. It is a story marked by deep-seated religious and cultural ties to the land, punctuated by the strategic interventions of global powers, and defined by a relentless struggle for survival and acceptance.

From the foundational support of the UK in 1917, which opened the door to Jewish national aspirations, to the robust and pragmatic partnership now shared with India, Israel's journey has always been tied to the global stage. Understanding the current crisis requires appreciating the weight of the Roman expulsion, the promise of the Balfour Declaration, the trauma of the Holocaust, the defining victories of the 1967 War, and the broken hope of the Oslo Accords. These are the watershed moments that shaped its borders, its identity, and its conflicts.

The history of Israel is not a finished book, but a continuous story of creation, crisis, and the ongoing, difficult search for a lasting peace.

Glossary of Key Terms