4000 BCE - 1ST CENTURY CE
c.1500–1200 BCE
Major Events Battle of Megiddo (1457 BCE), Egyptian rule in Canaan.
Territory Egypt, Sinai, Canaan, Nubia
Key Leaders Thutmose III, Ramses II, Ramses III
c.1200–1050
c.1050–722 BCE
Major Events Formation of the United Monarchy, Jerusalem established as capital, First Temple built. After the Sulaiman (a) passed away, the kingdom split into: Kingdom of Israel (north) and Kingdom of Judah (south, with Jerusalem)
Territory Israel, Judah, parts of Jordan & Lebanon
Key Leaders Saul, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah
722–605 BCE
Major Events Conquered Israel (722 BCE), Siege of Jerusalem (701 BCE). The Assyrians conquered Israel (northern kingdom), deporting much of the population.
Assirian territory Mesopotamia, Levant (including Palestine), Egypt (briefly).
Key Leaders Sargon II, Sennacherib, Ashurbanipal
605–539 BCE
Major Events Conquered Judah, Destroyed First Temple (586 BCE), Jewish Exile
Babylonian territory Mesopotamia, Levant (including Palestine)
Key Leaders Nebuchadnezzar II, Nabonidus
539–332 BCE
Major Events Allowed Jewish return (538 BCE), Second Temple completed (516 BCE).
Persian Empire Territory From Greece to India, including Palestine
Key Leaders Cyrus the Great, Darius I, Xerxes I
Macedonian Empire
332–323 BCE
323–198 BCE
The death of Alexander The Great led to a division of his empire among his generals. Egyptian-based Greek dynasty (Ptolemies- Founded by Ptolemy I, a general of Alexander) controlled Palestine and inlcuded Egypt. Seleucid territory (founded by Seleucus I, another of Alexander’s generals) constituted Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia.
198–167 BCE
167–63 BCE
The Maccabean Revolt (167–142 BCE) against the Seleucid Empire led to the Hasmonean Dynasty, a line of Jewish priest-kings ruling Judea (Palestine) independently.
63–330 CE
Major Events Roman conquest (63 BCE), Destruction of Second Temple (70 CE), Jewish exile (135 CE)
Roman Empire Territory Mediterranean Basin, Levant, North Africa, Western Europe
Key Leaders Pompey, Herod the Great, Titus, Hadrian, Constantine I
167–63 BCE
Christianity became the dominant religion in Palestine.
Byzantine Empire Territory Eastern Mediterranean, including Palestine, Greece, Anatolia, Egypt
Key Leaders Constantine I, Helena, Justinian I, Heraclius
637-1099 CE
During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), Jerusalem peacefully became part of the Islamic State.
Key Leaders Rashidun Caliphs, Umayyad Caliphs, Abbasid Caliphs
EXPANSION OF ISLAM INTO THE LEVANT
Following the passing of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 632 CE, the leadership of the Muslim Ummah passed to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), the first Caliph. His leadership saw the consolidation of Muslim control over the Arabian Peninsula. Upon his death, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) became the second Caliph. Under his leadership, Islam expanded beyond Arabia into the Byzantine and Persian territories.
MILITARY VICTORIES
The Muslim army, led by commanders including Khalid ibn al-Walid, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and Amr ibn al-As, achieved significant victories against the Byzantines. The decisive Battle of Yarmouk in 636 CE crushed Byzantine resistance in the region and opened the way to Jerusalem.
PATH TO JERUSALEM
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, known for his piety and leadership, led the Muslim forces toward Jerusalem. The city, heavily fortified and sacred to the Christians, was under the governance of Patriarch Sophronius. Aware of the fate of other Byzantine cities and recognizing the strength and discipline of the Muslim armies, Sophronius opted to negotiate terms of surrender. However, he insisted that the keys of the city be handed over only to Caliph Umar himself.
THE PEACEFUL SURRENDER
Responding to the request of Patriarch Sophronius, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab personally traveled from Medina to Jerusalem. His journey was marked by humility and simplicity; he took turns with his servant in riding their camel, embodying the Islamic principles of justice and equality.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Umar accepted the city's surrender under what became known as the "Pact of Umar." This treaty guaranteed safety and freedom of worship for Christians and Jews. Umar famously refused to pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to prevent future generations from converting it into a mosque, exemplifying Islam's respect for other faiths.
The keys to Jerusalem were handed over to Umar, marking the peaceful integration of the city into the Islamic state.
LAWS AND POLICIES
Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab implemented several legal measures to ensure the protection of religious communities and their places of worship. The Pact of Umar explicitly stated that Christians would be protected and their churches and crosses would not be harmed. No forced conversions were permitted, and Christians and Jews were allowed to practice their faith freely.
Non-Muslim citizens (Ahl al-Dhimma) were granted safety and security in exchange for paying the jizya (a protection tax), which exempted them from military service while guaranteeing their protection by the Islamic state. Their property, lives, and religious institutions were safeguarded, and any harm against them was prohibited.
Additionally, Islamic law prohibited the destruction of any place of worship and mandated the maintenance of justice for all communities. This framework fostered a diverse and harmonious society where Muslims, Christians, and Jews coexisted peacefully.
JERUSALEM UNDER MUSLIM RULE
Following the conquest, Jerusalem became a significant city in the Islamic world. Caliph Umar ordered the clearing of the area near Al-Aqsa Mosque, honoring its status as the site of Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) Isra and Mi'raj. This laid the foundation for future Islamic architectural developments.
Under the Umayyad Caliphate, especially during the reign of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, the Dome of the Rock was constructed, further solidifying Jerusalem's importance in the Islamic world.
Islamic governance in Jerusalem was marked by tolerance and inclusion. Christians and Jews were allowed to maintain their places of worship and live peacefully under Islamic rule. This model of governance stood in stark contrast to the religious persecutions common in other empires.
1096-1291
1291-1516
1517–1917
1917-1948
SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT
1916
A covert arrangement made between Britain and France outlining how they would divide the territory in the Middle East following the anticipated defeat of the Ottoman Empire.
BALFOUR DECLARATION
1917
The British government declared support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This and subsequent British policies facilitated Jewish immigration to Palestine.
BRITISH GAIN CONTROL OF PALESTINE
1918
World War I ended resulting in the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate. Britain gained control of Palestine. For the first time in over 700 years, Palestine had fallen to Non-Muslim rule.
INCREASING JEWISH IMMIGRATION
1917-1947
Britain facilitated Jewish immigration from Europe to Palestine. By 1947, the Jewish population had increased tenfold to 33% of Palestine. However, they only owned 6.5% of the land.
BALFOUR DECLARATION ENFORCED
1920
Sir Herbert Samuel, a British Jew, appointed as first High Commissioner for Palestine. The British general, Louis Bols, declared the enforcement of the Balfour Declaration. Palestinians, already upset because of the increasing number of immigrant Jewish settlers, demonstrated in Jerusalem.
AL-BURAQ WALL CLASHES
1929
In an attempt to prevent Jewish control of the Al-Buraq Wall, which forms part of the western wall of the al-Aqsa mosque (known as the The Wailing Wall to Jews), demonstrations took place which turned into violent clashes, leading to widespread riots.
BRITISH INQUIRY INTO TENSIONS
1929
British inquiry into the unrest acknowledged the destabilising effect of British policies, concluding that civil unrest was the likely outcome of making Palestinians landless. No significant changes were made in response.
ARAB REVOLT
1936
Start of a sustained revolution by Palestinian Arabs mobilising thousands of Palestinians and non-Palestinian Arabs. The revolt began with a general strike in Jaffa and Nablus and the formation of the Arab High Committee.
PEEL COMMISSION
1937
British commission recommends partition of Palestine and transfer of Palestinian Arabs. The Arabs rejected the proposal and the revolt intensified. In response the British declared martial law, dissolving the Arab High Committee and took harsh measures to suppress the uprisings.
WORLD WAR II PERIOD
1939-1945
During the Second World War, the British needed Arab support and access to oil so Jewish immigration into Palestine was limited.
POST-WAR PERIOD
1945
The new British government of July 1945 restricted Jewish immigration as they feared mass Jewish immigration into Palestine would provoke a civil war.
ZIONIST CONFERENCE
1945
The Zionist conference in London August 1945 resulted in active opposition to British rule by three Jewish military groups, the Hagana, the Irgun, and the Stern Gang.
US SUPPORT FOR ZIONISM
1945
The US government increased its support for the creation of Jewish state due to pressure from US Zionists. It applied econimic pressure to Britain.
JEWISH INSURGENCY
1945-1947
Jewish insurgents bombed communication lines, British buildings and targeted British troops. The King David bombing killed 91 people, mostly civilians.
BRITISH WITHDRAW FROM REGION
1947
As Britain was dependent on US aid, in February 1947 UK decided to withdraw from the region and asked the United Nations to find a solution.
1947
1948-1949
DEIR YASSIN MASSACARE
1916
A covert arrangement made between Britain and France outlining how they would divide the territory in the Middle East following the anticipated defeat of the Ottoman Empire.
THE NAKBA-EXODUS OF PALESTINIANS
1948
The British government declared support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This and subsequent British policies facilitated Jewish immigration to Palestine.
14th May 1948
THE ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCES CREATED
28TH MAY 1948
A new state of Israel declared. Immediatley recognised by the USA then USSR. Last of the British troops leave. Armies from Egypt, Syriya, Transjordan, Lebanon and Iraq enter Palestine.
FIRST CEASEFIRE
29TH MAY 1948
UN security council calls for a ceasefire. Ceasefire begins 11th June. Arab forces in control of Galilee, the West Bank, the Gaza strip and the Negev Desert. Israel breaks the ceasefire and invades part of Galiliee and the West Bank.
SECOND CEASEFIRE
18TH JULY 1948
Second caesefire begins. On 15th October, Israel breaks caesefire- by end of October takes rest of Galilee and by February the Negev Desert.
ARMISTICE AGREEMENTS
18TH JULY 1948
February-July Armistice agreed with each of the Arab nations. Around 75% of Palestine now under Israeli control.
1950
1964
June 1967
DAY 1
5TH JUNE 1967
Israel air force destroys Egyptian, Syrian, and Jordanian air forces and air fields. Israeli forces advance into Gaza and get control of the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
DAY 2
6TH JUNE 1967
Israeli forces advanced into the Sinai Desert towards the Suez Canal.
DAY 3
7TH JUNE 1967
Israeli forces get control of Sinai from Egypts and capture Jerusalem. Jordan accepted UN calls for ceasefire.
DAY 4
8TH JUNE 1967
Israeli forces get control of the West Bank from Jordan. Egypt accepts UN calls for ceasefire.
DAY 5
9TH JUNE 1967
Israeli forces attack the Golan Heights.
DAY 6
10TH JUNE 1967
???
1987-1993
1993-1995
1993-Present
September 28, 2000
2000-2005
2002
2007-Present
2023-Present