| |
| 1948, April 9 |
| |
| The Dayr Yasin Massacre, in which Jewish terrorists killed 254 Palestinian villagers. Fearing similar incidents, thousands of Palestinians began streaming out of areas under Zionist control. | 1 |
| |
| May 14 |
| |
| Official establishment of the STATE OF ISRAEL. | 2 |
| |
| June 30 |
| |
| Departure of the last British troops. | 3 |
| Creation of the Israeli Defense Forces, which grew largely out of the Hagana, the main Zionist militia during the Mandate. All Israeli men were required to serve for two years of active duty, followed by a long period of reserve duty. Israeli women were subject to a one-year obligation. Terms of active service were later extended by one year (1975) for both sexes. | 4 |
| Founding of Herut, the political party of the Revisionists, who sought to establish the Jewish state on both banks of the Jordan River. The party, led by MENACHEM BEGIN, primarily attracted conservative voters. | 5 |
| |
| |
