Historical Timeline: Palestine’s Battle for Justice
The Palestinian struggle is not a “conflict between equals” — it is a story of a colonised, occupied people resisting one of the most powerful military states, backed by international impunity.
By learning this history, we challenge misinformation and stand on the side of justice.
1917: Balfour Declaration
The British government issues the Balfour Declaration, promising support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine — without consulting the Palestinian Arab majority who made up over 90% of the population.
This was a colonial betrayal that laid the groundwork for displacement and dispossession.
1947–1948: UN Partition Plan & the Nakba (Catastrophe)
The UN recommends splitting Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, despite Palestinians owning most of the land.
In 1948, Zionist militias and the new Israeli army carry out massacres (e.g., Deir Yassin), forcibly expel over 750,000 Palestinians, destroy over 500 villages, and seize 78% of historic Palestine.
The Nakba was more than a historic tragedy — it is an ongoing process of ethnic cleansing and denial of the right to return.
1967: Six-Day War & the Occupation
Israel launches a surprise attack on Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, capturing the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Gaza, Sinai, and the Golan Heights.
It places millions of Palestinians under military occupation, expands illegal settlements, and imposes severe movement restrictions.
This marks the beginning of the current military occupation and apartheid system, deepening the dispossession started in 1948.
1987–1993: First Intifada (Uprising)
Frustrated by decades of military rule, land confiscations, and settlement expansion, Palestinians rise up across the West Bank and Gaza in a mass civil disobedience movement.
Israel responds with live ammunition, mass arrests, home demolitions, and “breaking bones” tactics.
The Intifada is a grassroots rebellion against colonialism, met with brutal repression.
1993: Oslo Accords
The PLO and Israel sign agreements aimed at gradual peace, but Israel continues expanding settlements and control over resources.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is created, but without sovereignty; Israel maintains ultimate control.
Oslo creates a system of limited autonomy under occupation, fragmenting Palestinian society without delivering real freedom.
2000–2005: Second Intifada
After failed peace talks and provocations like Ariel Sharon’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque, a second uprising erupts.
Israel deploys tanks, helicopter gunships, and F-16s against densely populated areas, kills over 4,300 Palestinians (many civilians), and builds the apartheid/separation wall cutting deep into the West Bank.
Israel’s disproportionate military response exposes the deep power imbalance and criminalises Palestinian resistance.
2007–Present: Gaza Siege
Following Hamas’ election victory, Israel imposes a devastating land, sea, and air blockade on Gaza, turning it into what human rights groups call an “open-air prison”.
Periodic military assaults (2008–09, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2023) kill thousands of civilians, including women and children, and destroy infrastructure.
Gaza is a symbol of collective punishment, where 2 million people are trapped and deprived of basic rights.
2018–2019: Great March of Return
Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza march to the fence demanding the right of return and an end to the siege.
Israel responds with sniper fire, killing over 200, including medics and journalists, and injuring thousands.
Peaceful protests are met with lethal force, underscoring Israel’s refusal to acknowledge Palestinian rights.
2021–2023: Sheikh Jarrah, Al-Aqsa, and Gaza Assaults
Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah face eviction to make way for settlers; Israeli police storm Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan; Israel bombs Gaza once again, killing over 250 people in 2021.
Global protests erupt in solidarity.
The world witnesses Israel’s apartheid practices, and Palestinians resist against home demolitions, religious violations, and bombardment.
The Ongoing Reality
+ Over 7 million Palestinian refugees are denied their right to return.
+ Over 700,000 Israeli settlers live illegally on Palestinian land.
+ Palestinians in the West Bank face checkpoints, home demolitions, arrests, and violence daily.
+ Gaza endures a crippling siege with severe humanitarian consequences.