Map of Israel & Palestine’s Territorial Changes 1920-2008

Map found on reddit.The map above shows the territorial changes of Israel & Palestine between 1920 and 2008. Here are the key details from each of the maps included:

• 1920:
  • Map Description: Shows the Mandate for Palestine following the San Remo Conference.
• 1923:
  • Map Description: Organization of the Mandate into the Mandate of Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan.
• 1945:
  • Map Description: Depicts land ownership of the citizens under the Mandate, highlighting areas owned by Jews and Arabs.
  • Text: “Land ownership of the citizens under the Mandate.”
    • Legend:
      • Blue: Jews
      • Green: Arabs
      • White: None
• UN Proposal:
  • Map Description: Shows the United Nations Partition Plan proposed on 29 November 1947, which was rejected by Arab leadership and led to war beginning on 30 November 1947.
  • • Legend:
      • Blue: Jews
      • Green: Arabs
      • Yellow: International
• 1948:
  • Map Description: Borders under the 1949 armistice agreement, marking the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.
    • Legend:
      • Blue: Israel
      • Yellow: Egypt
      • Red: Jordan
• 1967:
  • Map Description: Borders under the 1967 armistice agreement following the Six-Day War.
    • Legend:
      • Blue: Israel
      • Yellow: Egypt
      • Red: Jordan
• 1982:
  • Map Description: Israel evacuates the Sinai Peninsula in return for recognition by Egypt.
    • Legend:
      • Blue: Israel
      • Yellow: Egypt
• 2008:
  • Map Description: Israel signs the Oslo Accords in 1996, creating the Palestinian Authority. Israel evacuates Gaza in 2005. Hamas takes control of Gaza in 2007.
    • Legend:
      • Blue: Israel
      • Green: Palestinian Authority
      • Pink: Hamas in Gaza

Summary of changes

Since 1948, Israel’s territory has undergone several significant changes due to various wars, treaties, and political agreements. Here’s a detailed summary:

1. 1948-1949 Arab-Israeli War:
   • Initial Territory: After the declaration of the State of Israel in May 1948, neighboring Arab states invaded.
   • Result: The 1949 armistice agreements expanded Israel’s territory beyond the UN Partition Plan boundaries, incorporating western Galilee, central Negev, and areas in the modern-day West Bank around Jerusalem.
2. 1956 Suez Crisis:
   • Territorial Changes: Temporary occupation of the Sinai Peninsula.
   • Outcome: Israel withdrew under international pressure, particularly from the US and USSR, and with guarantees of international maritime passage.
3. 1967 Six-Day War:
   • Territorial Gains: Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria.
   • Impact: This significantly expanded Israel’s territory and led to Israeli military governance over the newly acquired regions.
4. 1973 Yom Kippur War:
   • Territorial Changes: Temporary changes with Egypt and Syria capturing parts of the Sinai and Golan Heights, respectively.
   • Outcome: Israel regained control through counter-offensives, leading to disengagement agreements and eventually peace negotiations.
5. 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty:
   • Territorial Changes: Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace and normalization of relations.
   • Impact: Marked the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab state.
6. 1982 Lebanon War:
   • Territorial Impact: Temporary occupation of parts of southern Lebanon to combat PLO forces.
   • Outcome: Israel eventually withdrew, maintaining a security zone until 2000.
7. 1993 Oslo Accords:
   • Changes: Established Palestinian Authority (PA) governance over parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
   • Impact: Partial withdrawal from some areas, though Israel maintained control over security and borders.
8. 2000 Camp David Summit and Second Intifada:
   • Territorial Impact: No significant changes, but increased military presence and construction of the West Bank barrier.
9. 2005 Gaza Disengagement:
   • Changes: Israel unilaterally withdrew all settlements and military forces from the Gaza Strip.
   • Outcome: Gaza came under PA control initially, then Hamas after 2007.
10. 2006 Lebanon War:
    • Impact: Brief conflict with Hezbollah, no territorial changes, but increased UNIFIL presence in southern Lebanon.
11. 2010s-present:
    • West Bank: Continued Israeli settlement expansion and partial military control, despite PA governance in urban areas.
    • Golan Heights: Annexed by Israel in 1981, recognized by the US in 2019, but not internationally recognized.
    • East Jerusalem: Annexed and considered part of Israel, but not internationally recognized.