Israel is not a very big country in size, but has a lot of influence and importance in the world today. It did not become an official country until the year 1948. On the same day that it became a country, it was also attacked by the armies of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Although this is when Israel became an official nation, it’s history began long before. In the Bible, Israel is mentioned numerous times and plays a crucial part in God’s plan. There a many stories in the Bible that include Israel and it’s people.
The history of Israel begins with its people. There were two sons born to Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, and two sons born to Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Of the two sons one was chosen over the other (Isaac over Ismael, and Jacob over Esau) to eventually become the father of the Israelites. Jacob became the father of the Twelve Tribes, to whom all Jewish people are descendants.
Israel has been displaced from its homeland twice, yet continued to fight for its right to be a country. In 1948 it returned to its original location and has remained there since then.
The earliest people of Israel, the Israelites, faced many, many adversities. Not only were they forced from their land, but they were persecuted and continue to be persecuted until this day. The people of Israel had to rely on God to provide for them, otherwise they would not have survived the trials they faced.
The surprise attack on Israel was also referred to as the War of Independence by the Israelis. It killed 6,000 Israeli people, which was only about 1% of their population. This victory gave Israel confidence and brought the other nations down considerably. Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1949. Iraq, on the other hand, withdrew her forces but did not sign a peace treaty. To this day there has been tension among the Arab nations and Israel.
Some additional sources that would be helpful in learning about the early settlement and beginnings of Israel are:
http://www.livius.org/people/israel/ (this resource further explains the lineage and early people of Israel)
and
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/arab-israeli-war (this goes more in-depth about the War of Independence,also known as the War of 1948)
The history of Israel begins with its people. There were two sons born to Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, and two sons born to Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Of the two sons one was chosen over the other (Isaac over Ismael, and Jacob over Esau) to eventually become the father of the Israelites. Jacob became the father of the Twelve Tribes, to whom all Jewish people are descendants.
Israel has been displaced from its homeland twice, yet continued to fight for its right to be a country. In 1948 it returned to its original location and has remained there since then.
The earliest people of Israel, the Israelites, faced many, many adversities. Not only were they forced from their land, but they were persecuted and continue to be persecuted until this day. The people of Israel had to rely on God to provide for them, otherwise they would not have survived the trials they faced.
The surprise attack on Israel was also referred to as the War of Independence by the Israelis. It killed 6,000 Israeli people, which was only about 1% of their population. This victory gave Israel confidence and brought the other nations down considerably. Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1949. Iraq, on the other hand, withdrew her forces but did not sign a peace treaty. To this day there has been tension among the Arab nations and Israel.
Some additional sources that would be helpful in learning about the early settlement and beginnings of Israel are:
http://www.livius.org/people/israel/ (this resource further explains the lineage and early people of Israel)
and
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/arab-israeli-war (this goes more in-depth about the War of Independence,also known as the War of 1948)
Works Cited:
Stand for Israel - Biblical Kingdom : Israel History. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2014.
http://www.ifcj.org/site/PageNavigator/sfi_about_history_biblical
Israel and the 1948 War. (n.d.). " Retrieved September 12, 2014.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/israel_and_the_1948_war.htm
1999. ILS International . “Israel Today/Political Map” Retrieved from
http://www.historicjesus.com/maps/israel.html
31 March 2014. “Israel”. Retrieved from
http://www.livius.org/people/israel/
Stand for Israel - Biblical Kingdom : Israel History. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2014.
http://www.ifcj.org/site/PageNavigator/sfi_about_history_biblical
Israel and the 1948 War. (n.d.). " Retrieved September 12, 2014.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/israel_and_the_1948_war.htm
1999. ILS International . “Israel Today/Political Map” Retrieved from
http://www.historicjesus.com/maps/israel.html
31 March 2014. “Israel”. Retrieved from
http://www.livius.org/people/israel/