Historical Timeline
1917 – 1947: British mandate
Palestine was among former Ottoman territories placed under UK administration by the League of Nations in 1922. All of these territories eventually became fully independent States, except Palestine, where in addition to “the rendering of administrative assistance and advice” the British Mandate incorporated the “Balfour Declaration” of 1917, expressing support for “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people”. During the Mandate, from 1922 to 1947, large-scale Jewish immigration, mainly from Eastern Europe took place, the numbers swelling in the 1930s with the Nazi persecution. Arab demands for independence and resistance to immigration led to a rebellion in 1937, followed by continuing terrorism and violence from both sides. UK considered various formulas to bring independence to a land ravaged by violence. In 1947, the UK turned the Palestine problem over to the UN. Read more.
1947 – 1977: Partition plan, 1948, 1967, 1973 wars, inalienable rights
After looking at alternatives, the UN proposed terminating the Mandate and partitioning Palestine into two independent States, one Palestinian Arab and the other Jewish, with Jerusalem internationalized (Resolution 181 (II) of 1947). One of the two envisaged States proclaimed its independence as Israel and in the 1948 war involving neighbouring Arab States expanded to 77 percent of the territory of mandate Palestine, including the larger part of Jerusalem. Over half of the Palestinian Arab population fled or were expelled. Jordan and Egypt controlled the rest of the territory assigned by resolution 181 to the Arab State. In the 1967 war, Israel occupied these territories (Gaza Strip and the West Bank) including East Jerusalem, which was subsequently annexed by Israel. The war brought about a second exodus of Palestinians, estimated at half a million. Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) formulated the principles of a just and lasting peace, including an Israeli withdrawal from territories occupied in the conflict, a just settlement of the refugee problem, and the termination of all claims or states of belligerency. The 1973 hostilities were followed by Security Council Resolution 338, which inter alia called for peace negotiations between the parties concerned. In 1974 the General Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, sovereignty, and to return. The following year, the General Assembly established the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and conferred on the PLO the status of observer in the Assembly and in UN conferences. Read more.
Palestine Partition Map Majority Proposal
A sketch map of the plan on partition of Palestine, with economic union, proposed by the majority of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine. The plan envisages the division of Palestine into 3 parts: a Jewish state, an Arab State (dark tint), and the City of Jerusalem (white), to be placed under an International Trusteeship system. 1947, United Nations (Lake Success), New York. UN Photo.
War Destruction in Palestine
A deserted Arab village in the Negev. [1948]. UN Photo.
Palestinian Refugees Crossing Frontiers
Arab refugees from Palestine waiting for transportation in Lebanon. [1948]. UN Photo.
Middle East Populations Uprooted by Israel/Arab Conflict
Some of the many thousands of Arab refugees making the difficult crossing of King Hussein Bridge (formerly Allenby Bridge) from the Israeli-occupied west bank of the Jordan River into Jordan. 1967. UN Photo.
1977 – 1990: Lebanon, ICQP, Intifada
In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon with the declared intention to eliminate the PLO. A cease-fire was arranged. PLO troops withdrew from Beirut and were transferred to neighboring countries. Despite the guarantees of safety for Palestine refugees left behind, a large-scale massacre took place in the Sabra and Shatila camps. In September 1983, the International Conference on the Question of Palestine (ICQP) adopted the following principles: the need to oppose Israeli settlements and Israeli actions to change the status of Jerusalem, the right of all States in the region to existence within secure and internationally recognized boundaries, and the attainment of the legitimate, inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. In 1987, a mass uprising against the Israeli occupation began in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (the intifada). Methods used by the Israeli forces resulted in mass injuries and heavy loss of life among the civilian Palestinian population. In 1988 the Palestine National Council meeting in Algiers proclaimed the establishment of the State of Palestine. Read more here and here.
Security Council Demands Cease-Fire Observance by All Parties in Lebanon
The Security Council demanded Israel withdraw its forces “forthwith and unconditionally” from Lebanon up to its internationally recognized boundaries. 06 June 1982. United Nations, New York. UN Photo.
Secretary-General Meets with Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organization
Javier Perez de Cuellar, Secretary-General of the United Nations, meets with Yasser Arafat, Chairman of Palestine Liberation Organization, in Geneva. 27 June 1988. UN Photo.
The Peace Process of the 1990s
A Peace Conference was convened in Madrid in 1991, with the aim of achieving a peaceful settlement through direct negotiations along 2 tracks: between Israel and the Arab States, and between Israel and the Palestinians, based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973). The multilateral track negotiations were to focus on region-wide issues such as the environment, arms control, refugees, water, and the economy. A series of subsequent negotiations culminated in the mutual recognition between the Government of Israel and the PLO, the representative of the Palestinian people, and the signing in 1993 of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements (DOP or “Oslo Accord”), as well as the subsequent implementation agreements, which led to the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, the elections to the Palestinian Council and the Presidency of the Palestinian Authority, the partial release of prisoners and the establishment of a functioning administration in the areas under Palestinian self-rule. The involvement of the UN has been essential both as the guardian of international legitimacy and in the mobilization and provision of international assistance. The 1993 DOP deferred certain issues to subsequent permanent status negotiations, which were held in 2000 at Camp David and in 2001 in Taba, but proved inconclusive. Read more.
Members of Security Council Vote on Palestine’s Participation
The members of the Security Council vote in favour of permitting the observer for Palestine to participate in the Council’s discussion on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territory. 05 October 1990. UN Photo.
2000-present: Second intifada, separation wall, Road Map, etc.
The visit by Ariel Sharon of the Likud to Al-Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem in 2000 was followed by the second intifada. Israel began the construction of a West Bank separation wall, located mostly within the Occupied Palestinian Territory, ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice. In 2002, the Security Council affirmed a vision of two States, Israel and Palestine. In 2002 the Arab League adopted the Arab Peace Initiative. In 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, Russia, and the UN) released a Road Map to a two-State solution. An unofficial Geneva peace accord was promulgated by prominent Israelis and Palestinians in 2003. In 2005, Israel withdrew its settlers and troops from Gaza while retaining control over its borders, seashore and airspace. Following Palestinian legislative elections of 2006, the Quartet conditioned assistance to the PA on its commitment to nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements. After an armed takeover of Gaza by Hamas in 2007, Israel imposed a blockade. The Annapolis process of 2007-2008 failed to yield a permanent status agreement. Escalating rocket fire and air strikes in late 2008 culminated in Israeli ground operation “Cast Lead” in Gaza. The UN Security Council adopted resolution 1860. Violations of international law during the Gaza conflict were investigated by the UN (“Goldstone report“). The 2009 PA programme to build State institutions received wide international support. A new round of negotiations in 2010 broke down following the expiration of the Israeli settlement moratorium. In 2011 President Mahmoud Abbas submitted the application of Palestine for membership in the UN. UNESCO admitted Palestine as a Member. Exploratory Israeli-Palestinian talks were held in early 2012 in Amman. In November another cycle of violence between Israel and Gaza concluded with an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire. On 29 November 2012 Palestine was granted non-member observer State status in the UN. The General Assembly proclaimed 2014 an International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. A new round of negotiations begun in 2013 was suspended by Israel in April 2014 following the announcement of a Palestinian national consensus Government. Another round of fighting between Israel and Gaza took place in July-August 2014. In 2016 the Security Council adopted resolution 2334 on settlements. In 2017, the US Administration announced recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and subsequently, the US and certain other embassies were moved to Jerusalem. In 2020, the US mediated agreements to normalize relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco (“Abraham Accords”). In 2022, the UN General Assembly requested the ICJ to render an Advisory Opinion on the legality of the prolonged Israeli occupation that started in 1967, and the implications for Member States. 2023 saw another round of fighting between Israel and Hamas. On 15 May 2023, following a request by the General Assembly, the UN commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Nakba for the first time. In October of 2023, another escalation between Gaza and Israel began.
Press Conference Following the Quartet Meeting
Left to right: Javier Solana, High representative for the European Common Foreign and Security Policy, Igor S. Ivanov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Colin L. Powell, Secretary of State of the United States of America, at press conference. 26 September 2003. United Nations, New York. UN Photo.
Assembly Grants Palestine Non-member Observer State Status
The General Assembly adopted a resolution granting to Palestine the status of non-member observer State in the United Nations. The vote was 138 for, 9 against, with 41 abstentions. Mahmoud Abbas (front centre), President of the Palestinian Authority, with his delegation in the General Assembly Hall following the Assembly’s decision. 29 November 2012. United Nations, New York. UN Photo.
Mahmoud Abbas (centre right), President of the State of Palestine, addresses the event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Nakba, held by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on 15 May 2023.
1885 – The term “Zionism” first coined by the Viennese writer, Nathan Birnbaum.
1896 – Theodor Herzl, founder of the Zionist movement, calls for “restoration of the Jewish State”.
1897 – First Zionist congress takes place in Basel, Switzerland and the first Zionist organization is founded.
1907 – Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann visits Palestine.
1908 – First Palestinian anti-Zionist weekly newspaper is published by Arab Christian Najib Nassar.
1915 – British cabinet member Herbert Samuel calls for the British annexation of Palestine in memorandum “The Future of Palestine”.
1916 – European Powers conclude secret Sykes-Picot agreement dividing future spheres of influence in Ottoman Empire territories.
1917 – The Balfour Declaration promises a “national home for the Jewish people in Palestine”.
1919 – Emir Feisal presents a memorandum to the Paris Peace Conference, outlining the case for independence of Arab countries.
1922 – The League of Nations grants mandate over former Ottoman territory Palestine to UK. Provisions include terms of the Balfour Declaration, including a “Jewish national home”.
1933 – Palestinians riot amid sudden rise in Jewish immigration from Nazi persecution in Germany.
1936-1939 Palestinian rebellion
1936/1939 – Palestinian rebellion against the British Mandate and Jewish immigration.
1937 – UK Peel Commission Report publicly recognizes conflict’s irreconcilable terms and recommends partition of Palestine.
1939 – UK issues White Paper limiting Jewish immigration.
1942 – US Zionists meet in NY and adopt the “Biltmore Programme,” calling for establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Commonwealth and for unlimited immigration.
In February 1947, UK proposes to relinquish its mandatory role and places the question of Palestine before the UN.
In September, the UN Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) issues a report to the General Assembly with plans for partition or a federal state in Palestine.
In November, the UN General Assembly adopts resolution 181(II) which called to divide Palestine into an un-named “Jewish State” and an un-named “Arab State” with Jerusalem under UN trusteeship.
April 1948 – Deir Yassin massacre: Zionist paramilitary groups kill hundreds of Palestinian Arabs in Deir Yassin, a village near Jerusalem.
May 1948 – Great Britain terminates the Mandate over Palestine and Israel declares independence on 15 May. Territorial expansion using force results in the first large-scale exodus of Palestinian refugees; 15 May becomes an official day to mark the Palestinian Nakba (“catastrophe”).
United Nations Palestine Mediator to Report to Security Council on Palestine
Count Folke Bernadotte (Sweden), United Nations Palestine Mediator, and spouse Estelle Manville-Bernadotte, on their arrival at La Guardia Airport. He is to report to the Security Council on the issue of Palestine.
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)
A member of UNTSO looks out over Beirut.
Count Folke Bernadotte appointed UN Mediator in Palestine by the UN General Assembly. He is assassinated four months later by a Zionist militant group. Security Council establishes a group of military observers to supervise truce, which later became UNTSO.
November 1948 – UN establishes UNRPR special fund to provide relief to over 500,000 Palestine refugees.
December 1948 – UN General Assembly passes resolution 194 calling for refugees to be allowed to return, Jerusalem to be under international regime, UN Conciliation Commission for Palestine (UNCCP) replaces UN mediator.
May 1949 – UNGA adopts Resolution 273 (III) admitting Israel as UN member.
December 1949 – UN establishes UNRWA to replace UNRPR (GA Resolution 302 (IV)).
UN Secretary-General Announces Appointment of Director of UNRWA
The newly appointed Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Major-General Howard Kennedy (left), of Canada, shakes hands with UN Secretary-General Trygvie Lie.
Flag of Israel Takes its Place among Flags of Member Nations at UN Headquarters
Flag of Israel is hoisted to its place in the great circle among the flags of the Member Nations at United Nations Headquarters. Seen holding flag at right is Moshe Sharett, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, and other members of the delegation at the left.
February/July 1949 – Israel signs armistice agreements with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
April 1949 – UN Conciliation Commission convenes Lausanne Conference to reconcile the parties.
Tel Aviv
Major-General Emmanuel Erskine (Ghana), Interim Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), met in Beirut today with the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Mr. Yasser Arafat. During the meeting, General Erskine conveyed to Mr. Arafat an appeal which Secretary-general Kurt Waldheim issued on 27 March for a general cease-fire in Southern Lebanon. Mr. Arafat greeting General Erskine at the PLO Headquarters in Beirut. Looking on are Mr. James O C Jonah. (2nd from right), of the Secretary-General’s office.
1950 – Israel moves its capital from Tel Aviv to the western part of Jerusalem, in defiance of UN resolutions, and the West Bank is brought formally under Jordanian control.
1964 – Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is founded in Cairo.
1967 – Six-day war: Israel occupies West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, Golan Heights, and Sinai Peninsula.
In November, the UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 242 (Land for peace).
1968 – Establishment of UN Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.
1973 – Security Council
At a meeting this evening the Security Council began consideration, at the request of Lebanon and Syria, of the implementation of the provisions of the Council’s resolution of 26 June relating to the release of “”Syrian and Lebanese military and security personnel abducted by Israeli armed forces on 21 June 1972 on Lebanese territory””. Edouard Ghorra (Lebanon) addressing the Council.
1973 – Following the Middle East war of October, the UN Security Council passes resolution 338 calling for ceasefire, implementation of res. 242, negotiations between parties.
The UN General Assembly and the Arab League recognize the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
General Assembly reaffirms inalienable rights of Palestinian people to self-determination, independence and sovereignty, and refugee return (resolution 3236).
1975 – In 1975 the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) is founded by Resolution 3376 of the UNGA.
1976 – The CEIRPP submits its programme to the Security Council and General Assembly to enable Palestinians to exercise their inalienable rights.
1977 – Pursuant to UNGA Resolution 32/40 B, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is celebrated annually on 29 November.
1978 – Following two weeks of secret negotiations at Camp David (USA), the Egyptian President and the Israeli Prime Minister agree on a Framework for Peace in the Middle East.
1979 – The UNGA re-designates the Special Unit on Palestinian Rights as the Division for Palestinian Rights (Resolution 34/65 D).
Secretary-General Pays Two Week Visit to Middle East
Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim left New York on 31 January for a round of talks with leaders in Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, in an effort to get peace negotiations going again. While in Lebanon he also discussed the UN role in relief and rehabilitation efforts in that country. On his way back he visited another troubled area — Cyprus — and met with the leaders of the two communities on the island. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim speaking to the press, upon his arrival at the airport in Jerusalem. At left is the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel, Yigal Allon.
1980 – Israeli Knesset enacts the so-called ‘Basic Law’ on Jerusalem, proclaiming that “Jerusalem, whole and united” is the capital of Israel; the Security Council and GA resolution 35/169 E censure this law.
1981 – UNESCO adds the Old City of Jerusalem to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
UN Security Council adopts resolution 497, calling on Israel to rescind action to annex the Golan Heights.
1982 – Israel invades Lebanon with the intention of eliminating the PLO. After a ceasefire, PLO forces withdraw to neighboring countries. Despite guarantees of safety for Palestine refugees left behind, there are massacres at Sabra and Shatila camps.
1987 – First “Intifada” begins in the Jabaliya Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip.
1988 – In July, Jordan renounces claims to the West Bank and recognizes PLO as “the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”
In November, in Algiers, the Palestinian National Council adopts declaration of independence of the State of Palestine.
In December 1988, PLO Chair Yasser Arafat addresses UN in Geneva; says Palestine National Council accepts UNSC Resolutions 242 and 338.
1991 – Middle East peace conference in Madrid brings together all the parties to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1993 – Israel and the PLO sign the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, also known the Oslo accords. Several “permanent status”
1994 – The Office of the UN Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories (UNSCO) is established, and Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen of Norway is appointed as the first UN Special Coordinator.
1995 – Israel and the PLO sign the Palestinian-Israeli Interim Agreement on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (“Oslo II)”.
Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen of Norway, first UN Special Coordinator
Terje Roed-Larsen, Special Envoy for the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, briefs correspondents on Lebanon outside the Security Council, today at UN Headquarters in New York.
1996 – Palestinian general elections are held.
1997 – Israel and the PLO sign the Hebron Protocol.
1998 – Israel and the PLO sign the Wye River Memorandum, which consists of steps to facilitate implementation of previous agreements.
2000 – In July, the US President Clinton convenes a Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David which concludes without agreement.
Ariel Sharon’s al-Haram al-Sharif visit in September 2000 triggers the Second Palestinian Intifada.
2001 – Outgoing US President Clinton proposes the Clinton Parameters for a permanent status agreement to resolve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Shortly afterwards, the Taba Summit is held between Israel and the Palestinian Authority but fails to resolve the “permanent status” issues.
The Quartet
2002 – The UN Security Council passes resolution 1397 affirming vision of a two-State solution to the conflict.
The Quartet, consisting of the UN, the EU, the US, and Russia is established with a mandate to help mediate Israeli-Palestinian conflict and support Palestinian economic development and institution-building.
During a summit in Beirut, the League of Arab States adopts the Arab Peace Initiative.
2003 –Roadmap for Peace is published by the Quartet and is endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 1515.
2004 – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues Advisory Opinion on the legality of construction of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
2006 – In January, Hamas wins Palestinian Legislative Elections; forms Palestinian Authority government. The Quartet responds with Quartet Principles.
In July, Israel goes to war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
2007 – Israel imposes a blockade on the Gaza Strip after an armed takeover of Gaza by Hamas.
In November, the Annapolis Conference ends with parties issuing a joint statement committing to immediately implement their respective obligations under the Roadmap and working towards a peace treaty by the end of 2008.
Ceasefire Agreement Meeting
Fourteen members of the Security Council vote in support of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza leading to a full Israeli withdrawal, the unimpeded distribution of food, fuel, medical treatment, and intensified international arrangements to prevent arms and ammunition smuggling in the territory, with one member abstaining.
Creation of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict
Justice Richard Goldstone (left), Head of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, briefs the press on the release of the Mission’s report on the Gaza conflict, as Ahmad Fawzi, Director of the News and Media Division of the Department of Public Information, looks on.
2008 – Israel broadens its sanctions and completely seals off the Gaza Strip.
Later in the year, Israel launches Operation Cast Lead, a massive 22-day military assault on the Gaza Strip.
2009 – Security Council passes resolution 1860 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. HRC creates the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict to investigate violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Their findings are issued in the “Goldstone Report”.
2012 – In November, Israel launches ‘Pillar of Defense’ an 8-day military operation against the Gaza Strip.
Later that month, the General Assembly adopts resolution 67/19 granting Palestine the status of non-member observer State in the UN.
2013 – Direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine are held following an initiative by US Secretary of State John Kerry to restart the peace process.
8-day military operation against the Gaza Strip
Three Palestinian youth inspect the remains of a house targeted by an Israeli air strike in the Sheikh Radwan district, northwest of Gaza City.
Palestine becomes Non-Member Observer State in the UN
Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
2014 – Israel launches a large scale military operation codenamed “Protective Edge” on the Gaza Strip.
2016 – UN Security Council adopts resolution 2334, stating that Israel’s settlement activity constitutes a “flagrant violation” of international law and has “no legal validity”.
2017 – US President Donald Trump announces that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
2018 – United States moves its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
2020 – US President Trump helps mediate Abraham Accords to normalize Israel’s relations with some Arab States and proposes a Peace Plan.
General Assembly requests ICJ Advisory Opinion on the legal implications of the prolonged Israeli occupation.
General Assembly adopts resolution A/RES/77/23 of 30 November 2022 requesting the Committee to Commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Nakba for the first time in the history of the UN.
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