Key Figures & Events That Shaped Modern Israel

Pivotal people and events in Israel's formation and evolution:

• Theodor Herzl (1860–1904): Father of political Zionism; "The Jewish State" (1896); 1st Zionist Congress (1897).
• Chaim Weizmann (1874–1952): Scientist-diplomat; secured Balfour Declaration (1917); 1st President (1949–52).
• David Ben-Gurion (1886–1973): Pre-state leader; 1st PM (1948–53, 1955–63); declared independence.
• Balfour Declaration (1917): UK support for "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
• British Mandate (1922–48): Administered Palestine; rising Jewish-Arab conflict.
• 1948 War of Independence / Nakba: State established; 700k Palestinians displaced.
• Six-Day War (1967): Israel captures West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, Golan; defines modern borders/conflict.
• Oslo Accords (1993–95): Israel-PLO mutual recognition; Palestinian Authority created; peace process stalled.

Ongoing: settlements, security, diplomacy, identity, demographics.