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| 1976, June 27 |
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| A civilian El-Al airliner bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Entebbe (Uganda) by Palestinian hijackers who demanded the release of 53 Arab prisoners in Israeli jails. Israeli commandos raided the airport (July 4) and liberated the 103 hostages whom the terrorists had not already freed. Four Israelis, seven guerrillas, and 20 Ugandans died during the operation. | 1 |
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| 1977, June 7 |
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| Formation of the first non-Labor government in Israeli history. After the triumph of Likud in national elections, MENACHEM BEGIN became prime minister. | 2 |
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| 1978 |
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| Formation of the National Guidance Committee by Palestinian mayors from the West Bank. The organization actively opposed the Camp David Accords (See 1978). It was outlawed by Israeli authorities in 1981. | 3 |
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| 1981, Dec. 14 |
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| ANNEXATION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS after the Knesset extended Israeli civilian law to the region. | 4 |
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| 1983, Sept. 21 |
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| Formation of a new Likud government under YITZHAK SHAMIR after Menachem Begin resigned (Sept. 15). | 5 |
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| 1984, Sept. 14 |
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| Formation of a government of national unity between Likud and the Labor Party. Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir agreed to split the term for prime minister. Peres took office for the first half. Shamir assumed the duties of premier on Oct. 10, 1986. | 6 |
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| 1987, Dec. 9 |
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| Beginning of the INTIFADA, a widespread movement of protests by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The harsh treatment of demonstrators by Israeli authorities won worldwide sympathy for the Palestinian cause. | 7 |
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| 1988, April 18 |
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| An Israeli court convicted John Demjanjuk—who was believed to be the Nazi death-camp executioner “Ivan the Terrible”—of war crimes and sentenced him to death. After years of appeals, the Israeli Supreme Court overturned the verdict (April 1993). | 8 |
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| Aug. 18 |
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| Public announcement of the formation of HAMAS, a radical Palestinian group in the occupied territories. Hamas, which espoused an Islamic ideology, opposed negotiations with Israel and quickly established itself as the PLO's most dangerous rival. | 9 |
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| Nov. 1 |
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| General elections returned a government of national unity to power. However, the balance within the Knesset tilted slightly in favor of the Likud bloc over Labor. Yitzhak Shamir remained as prime minister. | 10 |
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| Dec. 7 |
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| Yasir Arafat publicly announced the PLO's recognition of Israel. | 11 |
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