Israeli Prime Ministers
This person was the leader of The Jewish Agency for the Jewish communities in British Mandate Palestine and the first Prime Minister of Israel
Who is David Ben Gurion?
In response to the UN Partition plan, Arab militias began attacking Jewish communities in the future Jewish State, and laid siege on Jerusalem. Later, after the British left the country, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq declared war on Israel. Israel managed to push the invading armies out and expand its borders. After the war, Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip, and Jordan took control of the West Bank and Jerusalem.
What is the War of Independence?
Living in the Soviet Union, this Jewish community faced persecution and antisemitism as they continued to support the new State of Israel. Dubbed "Refuseniks", these Jews were denied permission to emigrate to Israel, lost their jobs, were blacklisted, and imprisoned. After Jews across America rallied together in solidarity for this Jewish community, almost 1 million members of the community were eventually allowed to immigrate to Israel where they made huge contributions to fields of technology, medicine, math, and science.
Who are Russian/Soviet Jews?
In the late 1800s this wealthy British businessman traveled across Europe to combat antisemitism and defend the rights of Jews. He also traveled to the Land of Israel 7 times where he donated money to promote health, education, and industry in the Jewish community there.
Who is Moshe Montefiore?
In 1917, to thank Chaim Weizmann for his contributions to the British war efforts in WWI with his discovery of extracting acetone from chestnuts, and hoping to get international Jewish support for the war, British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour issued this letter to Jewish community leader Lord Walter Rothschild declaring British support to establish a Jewish homeland in the Land of Israel
What is the Balfour Declaration?
This Prime Minister was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1898, moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1906 and Palestine in 1921. During the War of Independence they traveled to America to raise $50 million dollars to support Israel, and later served as the Prime Minister during the Yom Kippur War.
Who is Golda Meir?
In aggressive measures towards the State Israel, Egyptian radio broadcasted messages of being ready to destroy Israel, mobilized its troops in the Sinai, expelled the UN peacekeeping force, and closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships. At the same time, Syria attempted to divert Israel’s water source from the Hermon Mountains, and continuously shelled northern communities in Israel with ammunition. After seeking diplomatic solutions, Israel took a preemptive strike against the Egyptian air force, completely destroying it. In the course of this short war, Israel managed to pull an incredible victory; capturing the entire Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and reunifying the Old City of Jerusalem and the Kotel.
What is the 6 Day War?
About 300,000 members of this Arab population live in the south of Israel in the Negev and historically, are a nomadic shepherd group traveling across state and country borders as caravans. Their bonds and relationships are built on strong family and tribal connections, with a strong sense of hospitality. On October 7th, several members of their community were killed and taken hostage by Hamas, while others bravely fought off terrorists and rescued Israelis.
Who are the Bedouins?
This person was drafted to the Russian army in 1902, and despite losing his arm, continued to serve in the army. During the Russo-Japanese war, they were captured and became the leader of the Jewish soldiers captured in Japan. Upon being released from captivity, they were granted the rank of Officer, and were the most distinguished Jew in the Russian army. They moved to Palestine in 1911, settled in Kibbutz Degania and help set up its defenses. During WWI, they established the Zion Mule Corps, a Jewish battalion in the British army, and the first organized Jewish military battalion since the Great Diaspora. They were killed in the Battle of Tel Hai March 1st, 1920 in a skirmish between Arabs and Jews. Their famous last words, “No matter. It is good to die for our country”, have become ingrained in Israeli history.
Who is Joseph Trumpeldor?
This ancient religious object is on the symbol of Israel.
What is a Menorah?
This Prime Minister served as the IDF Chief of staff during the 6 Day War, became Israel's first Prime Minister born in the land of Israel, negotiated the Oslo Accords with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and was assassinated by a right-wing Jewish extremist during a peace rally on November 4, 1995
Who is Yitzhak Rabin?
After debating on how to address the several warning signs for an upcoming war, Israel was caught off guard when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel in the Sinai Peninsula and in the Golan Heights on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. After initially struggling in the war, Israel managed to push back the invading armies in some of the most impressive tank battles the country has ever seen. However, this war came with a price; 2,656 Israeli soldiers were killed and over 7,000 soldiers were injured.
What is the Yom Kippur War?
This traditions of this Jewish ethnic developed in Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.
Who are Mizrachi Jews?
This famous Israeli song writer inspired generations of Jews and shaped Israeli society with her songs such as Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, Al Kol Eleh, and Lu Yehi.
Who is Naomi Shemer?
In 1993 Yasser Arafat, head of the newly formed Palestinian Authority, and Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed these two peace agreements, in which both the Palestinians and Israelis recognized each other’s right to exist. Unfortunately, while negotiations were taking place, Arafat continued to talk out of both ends of his mouth, encouraging peace in English, and war in Arabic.
What are the Oslo Accords?
This Prime Minister was a former leader of Irgun, the Jewish military group in British Mandate Palestine. He negotiated the historic Camp David Accords peace agreement with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat with the help of US President Jimmy Carter, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the peace process.
Who is Menachem Begin?
This swashbuckling military hero in Israel served as a Haganah Commander, scout for the Allies in WWII, commander in Israel’s War of Independence, and negotiator in post-war armistice talks. They later served as Defense Minister during the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War.
Who is Moshe Dayan?
Many different theories have developed how this Jewish group developed in Africa. Although cut off from the rest of the Jewish world, they maintained and observed many Jewish rituals and holidays. In the 1908s and 1990s, this community was airlifted to Israel in several covert operations.
Who are Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel)?
The award-winning fighter jet pilot was a commander in the Israeli air force and in 2003, became first Israeli astronaut.
Who is Ilan Ramon?
After his historic visit to Israel in 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin began peace negotiations. After reaching a stalemate, President Jimmy Carter invited President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin to meet in his presidential retreat to continue discussions, which resulted in a signed agreement, which served as the basis for the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979. These agreements included official Egyptian recognition of the State Israel, Israeli access to Egyptian waterways including the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran, and Israel withdrawal from Sinai Peninsula and the dismantling of Israeli communities there.
What are the Camp David Accords?
After coordinating with the Palestinian Security chief, this person visited the Temple Mount on September 28, 2000. Later, he guided the country through the Second Intifada, and made the decision to withdraw Israeli settlements from Gaza Strip in 2005.
Who is Ariel Sharon?
After walking away from the Camp David Summit in 2000, Yasser Arafat began planning another Palestinian uprising. On September 28, 2000, Ariel Sharon, after coordinating with the Palestinian Authority security chief, led a delegation to the Temple Mount, which served as a trigger for Palestinian revolts and attacks on Israeli civilians. Later, after walking away from the Taba Summit in January 2001, in which Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered him a Palestinian State and reparations for those Palestinians who would not be allowed to return to Israel, Yasser Arafat ramped up the attacks on Israeli civilians in the form of suicide bombings in restaurants, shops, and on buses. To end the attacks, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon launched Operation Defensive Shield in which Israel retook control of villages that had become hotspots for terrorism and built a security wall around the West Bank to prevent terrorists from entering Israel.
What is the Second Intifada?
About 140,000 members of this Arab population live in the north of Israel. Although they have similarities Muslims, this is a unique religious group with their own holy texts and prophets such as: Adam, Abraham, Moses, Yitro and Mohammed. This Arab population is very loyal to their home country, which is why they have a compulsory service in the IDF, similar to Jewish Israelis. Because of their service in the IDF, this Arab community receives many benefits from the Israeli government.
Who are the Druze?
This person only spoke to his son, Ben-Zion Yehuda, in Hebrew, establishing the first strictly Hebrew speaking household in 2,000 years. This person modernized the Hebrew language, encouraged its use in conversation, and established many Hebrew speaking elementary schools in the Land of Israel in the early 1900s
Who is Eliezer Ben Yehuda?
This is the name for the Israeli Parliament which had 120 members and has the responsibility to pass laws, supervise government, choose the President of Israel, and deliberate and discuss state issues.
What is the Knesset?