David Ben-Gurion Biography and Timeline — Page 3

Declaration of War

Authorises the Israeli attack on Egypt, framing it as a campaign to end fedayeen attacks and open navigation.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Invasion of Sinai

Israel launches Operation Kadesh, invading the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula and advancing toward the Suez Canal Zone.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Canal Ultimatum Follows Israeli Invasion

David Ben-Gurion's government received the British and French demand that both armies halt fighting and withdraw from the canal area, a demand rooted in the secret Sèvres arrangement.

Role range: 1956-1956

Israeli Advance Triggers Canal Ultimatum

Britain and France demanded military withdrawals from the canal area after the Israeli offensive, following arrangements secretly negotiated with Israel.

Role range: 1956-1957

Israeli Cabinet Considers Ultimatum Terms

David Ben Gurion responded to the ultimatum in accordance with the coordinated plan that anticipated a British and French military intervention.

Role range: 1956-1957

Sinai Victories Announced

Ben-Gurion reports major Israeli gains as forces advance across Sinai.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

United Nations Demands Israeli Withdrawal

David Ben Gurion faced a General Assembly resolution demanding that forces cease fighting and withdraw behind established armistice lines.

Role range: 1956-1957

Sinai Occupation Consolidated

Ben-Gurion's government begins consolidating control over captured positions in Sinai and Gaza.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Israeli Government Asserts Sinai Security Aims

David Ben Gurion framed the campaign around border security and access to maritime routes while foreign governments demanded deescalation.

Role range: 1956-1957

Straits of Tiran Access Restored

Ben-Gurion hails the capture of Sharm el-Sheikh as restoring Israeli access through the Straits of Tiran.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Gulf of Aqaba Access Claimed

Ben Gurion presented the seizure of the southern Sinai position as an achievement for Israeli shipping access.

Sharm El Sheikh Capture Opens Aqaba Access

David Ben-Gurion's government achieved a central war objective when Israeli troops captured Sharm el-Sheikh, undermining the Egyptian blockade of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Role range: 1956-1956

Ceasefire Terms Considered

Ben-Gurion considers international ceasefire demands while Israeli forces hold Sinai and Gaza.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

International Ceasefire Alters Sinai Campaign

David Ben-Gurion faced growing demands to cease hostilities after the United Nations called for an end to the fighting across Egypt and Sinai.

Role range: 1956-1956

Mitla Battle Enters Israeli Campaign Assessment

David Ben-Gurion's government faced the aftermath of the Sinai fighting, including the losses suffered by soldiers at Mitla Pass.

Role range: 1956-1956

Ceasefire Pressure Ends Initial Sinai Advance

Israeli leaders confronted international pressure to stop the fighting as Britain and France accepted a ceasefire and peacekeeping arrangements advanced.

Role range: 1956-1957

Sinai War Results Addressed

Ben Gurion discussed Israel's battlefield gains before international pressure forced his government to reconsider territorial objectives.

International Withdrawal Pressure Mounts

United States and United Nations pressure challenged Israel's continued occupation of territory captured during Operation Kadesh.

Sinai Annexation Claim Abandoned

Ben Gurion retreated from public suggestions that Israel could permanently retain the entire Sinai Peninsula.

Israel Faces Intensifying Withdrawal Demands

David Ben-Gurion resisted immediate pressure to leave Sinai and Gaza while international diplomacy focused on reversing the wartime occupations.

Role range: 1956-1956

Israeli Occupation Faces Postwar Withdrawal Dispute

Although the main campaign had ended, David Ben Gurion resisted immediate unconditional withdrawal from all territory captured during the Sinai operation.

Role range: 1956-1957

Israel Faces Separate Demands for Withdrawal

David Ben Gurion confronted pressure to relinquish captured Sinai and Gaza positions after major hostilities had ceased.

Role range: 1956-1957

Rule of Gaza

Israel captures Gaza and the Gaza Strip during the Sinai Campaign.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Siege of Gaza

Israeli forces move into Gaza as part of the Sinai Campaign during the Suez crisis.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Withdrawal

Faces American and United Nations pressure to withdraw Israeli forces from captured Egyptian territory.

Role range: 1956-1956 – 1955-1963

Israeli Withdrawal Completes Major Postwar Separation

Israeli forces left their remaining positions in Egyptian territory, easing the principal unresolved territorial problem after the Suez fighting.

Role range: 1956-1957

Sinai Withdrawal Agreement Implemented

Ben Gurion's government withdrew Israeli troops from Sinai and Gaza after sustained international pressure.

Invasion of Gaza

Under United Nations pressure Israel withdraws from Gaza

Role range: 1955-1963

Anniversary

The 10th anniversary of Israels statehood is celebrated with a military parade

Role range: 1955-1963

Statehood Decade Marked

Ben Gurion's government commemorated the tenth anniversary of Israeli independence with national events.

Fatah

Creation of Fatah

Role range: 1955-1963

Blockade of Israeli Shipping through the Suez Canal

Egypt renews the Israeli blockade through the Suez canal

Role range: 1955-1963

Israeli Suez Transit Restricted

Egypt restricts Israeli use of the Suez Canal, limiting maritime transit through the strategic waterway.

Role range: 1955-1963

Announces Eichmann in Israeli Custody

Ben Gurion informed the Knesset that Adolf Eichmann had been brought to Israel and would stand trial.

Arrest of Adolf Eichmann

Israeli agents capture Adolph Eichmann in Argentina

Role range: 1955-1963

Execution

Eichmann is found guilty of crimes committed in the Holocaust & executed in Israel. Adolph Eichmann, Gestapo official and Nazi war criminal, is hanged near Tel Aviv, Israel, for his role in the Nazi murder of over one million Jews

Role range: 1955-1963

Holocaust

Eichmann is found guilty of crimes committed in the Holocaust & executed in Israel

Role range: 1955-1963

Immigration

Israel welcomes its 1,000,000th immigrant

Role range: 1955-1963

JFK offers Israel assistance against aggression

JFK offers Israel assistance against aggression

Role range: 1955-1963

Resignation of David Ben-Gurion

Israeli premier David Ben-Gurion resigns

Role range: 1955-1963