Political History of Israel began after it was declared an independent state in 1948 and became a home for Jews who were previously being persecuted in many parts of the world especially Europe. Through the Zionist movement which worked towards obtaining a permanent homeland for the Jews they were able to establish the state of Israel by gaining International support.
For the next 29 years after attaining independence the labor Party headed the Government. David Ben-Gurion served as prime minister for fifteen years with various coalition governments. During this time the population and the economy grew rapidly. In 1963 Levi Eshkol succeeded him with the Herut movement. There was the outbreak of the six day war which led to attacks against Israel by Palestine and Egypt. Levi died in 1969 and was succeeded by Golda Meir under whose tenure the Yom Kippur War erupted in 1973 causing him to resign.
Yitzhak Rabin headed the next government starting 1974 and signed agreements of disengagement with Egypt and Syria. During this time the Soviet bloc and many African countries broke off their ties with Israel.
In 1977 the Lukid bloc defeated the Labor party and was headed by Menachem Begin. Begin reached a peace agreement with Egypt in 1979 that entailed yielding land to Egypt in exchange for peace. Likud's privatization plans got out of control and inflation went up, the stock market crashed. In 1982 Israel there was the Lebanon War which caused resignation of Begin and he was succeeded by Yitzhak Shamir. In 1984 Labor party leader Perez served as prime minister and he was able to curb inflation and stabilize the economy and also withdraw troops from Lebanon.
In 1988 Israel was hit by 39 missiles fired by Iraq in what was referred to as the Gaza War. The Labor party formed the Government again in 1992 and was led by Yitzhak Rabin, who had been a defense minister in the previous Government.
Palestine was awarded autonomy in 1994 in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Following this a peace treaty was signed with Jordan and international relations with other countries also improved. In 1995 Rabin was assassinated.
Netanyahu was elected using a new system of polling and additional records were signed with the Palestine but lost to Ehud Barak in 1999. Ariel Sharon became prime minister and later resigned due to health problems and Ehud Olmert took over.
The current prime minister is Benjamin Netanyahu who took office again in 2007. Though a president exists the prime minister holds more power.
For the next 29 years after attaining independence the labor Party headed the Government. David Ben-Gurion served as prime minister for fifteen years with various coalition governments. During this time the population and the economy grew rapidly. In 1963 Levi Eshkol succeeded him with the Herut movement. There was the outbreak of the six day war which led to attacks against Israel by Palestine and Egypt. Levi died in 1969 and was succeeded by Golda Meir under whose tenure the Yom Kippur War erupted in 1973 causing him to resign.
Yitzhak Rabin headed the next government starting 1974 and signed agreements of disengagement with Egypt and Syria. During this time the Soviet bloc and many African countries broke off their ties with Israel.
In 1977 the Lukid bloc defeated the Labor party and was headed by Menachem Begin. Begin reached a peace agreement with Egypt in 1979 that entailed yielding land to Egypt in exchange for peace. Likud's privatization plans got out of control and inflation went up, the stock market crashed. In 1982 Israel there was the Lebanon War which caused resignation of Begin and he was succeeded by Yitzhak Shamir. In 1984 Labor party leader Perez served as prime minister and he was able to curb inflation and stabilize the economy and also withdraw troops from Lebanon.
In 1988 Israel was hit by 39 missiles fired by Iraq in what was referred to as the Gaza War. The Labor party formed the Government again in 1992 and was led by Yitzhak Rabin, who had been a defense minister in the previous Government.
Palestine was awarded autonomy in 1994 in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Following this a peace treaty was signed with Jordan and international relations with other countries also improved. In 1995 Rabin was assassinated.
Netanyahu was elected using a new system of polling and additional records were signed with the Palestine but lost to Ehud Barak in 1999. Ariel Sharon became prime minister and later resigned due to health problems and Ehud Olmert took over.
The current prime minister is Benjamin Netanyahu who took office again in 2007. Though a president exists the prime minister holds more power.
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