In the year 1948 the state of Israel was declared independent. Jews had been looking for a permanent homeland for a long time since they were being persecuted in many parts of Europe. The political history of Israel started when the Zionist movement was formed for the purpose of fighting for a Jewish homeland. When the movement managed to gain international support Israel was born and Jewish from all corners of the earth moved into it.
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.
In 1974 Yitzhak became prime minister. During his tenure many African countries and the Soviet Bloc broke off relations and agreement to disengage was brokered with Egypt and also Syria.
Soon after the Lukid bloc defeated the Labor party and took over power and Menachem Begin became the leader. A peace treaty that entailed exchanging land for peace was signed with Egypt. The economy declined as the stock market collapsed and inflation shot up. The Lebanon War followed forcing Menachem to resign and he was succeeded by Yitzhak Shamir. Prime Minister Perez withdrew his army and the Lebanon War ceased in 1984. He also set the economy on track again by fighting inflation.
In 1988 the Gaza War broke out and Iraq fired 39 missiles into Israel. In 1992 the Labor party took over the Government again led by Yitzhak Rabin who had held the position of defense minister previously.
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.
In 1996 a direct election polling system was introduced and Benjamin Netanyahu was elected to take office. The Government was dissolved due to instability in 1999 and he lost his seat to Ehud Barak. In 2001 Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister. In 2003 a coalition between USA and Israel Governments invaded Iraq and Saddam was captured. Sharons health deteriorated and in 2005 Ehud Olmert took over as Prime Minister.
Benjamin Netanyahu regained the seat in 2007 and is the current Prime minister. Though there is an office of the president the Prime minister holds executive powers.
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.
In 1974 Yitzhak became prime minister. During his tenure many African countries and the Soviet Bloc broke off relations and agreement to disengage was brokered with Egypt and also Syria.
Soon after the Lukid bloc defeated the Labor party and took over power and Menachem Begin became the leader. A peace treaty that entailed exchanging land for peace was signed with Egypt. The economy declined as the stock market collapsed and inflation shot up. The Lebanon War followed forcing Menachem to resign and he was succeeded by Yitzhak Shamir. Prime Minister Perez withdrew his army and the Lebanon War ceased in 1984. He also set the economy on track again by fighting inflation.
In 1988 the Gaza War broke out and Iraq fired 39 missiles into Israel. In 1992 the Labor party took over the Government again led by Yitzhak Rabin who had held the position of defense minister previously.
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.
In 1996 a direct election polling system was introduced and Benjamin Netanyahu was elected to take office. The Government was dissolved due to instability in 1999 and he lost his seat to Ehud Barak. In 2001 Ariel Sharon was elected Prime Minister. In 2003 a coalition between USA and Israel Governments invaded Iraq and Saddam was captured. Sharons health deteriorated and in 2005 Ehud Olmert took over as Prime Minister.
Benjamin Netanyahu regained the seat in 2007 and is the current Prime minister. Though there is an office of the president the Prime minister holds executive powers.
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