We have just witnessed, in the space of a month, four major anniversaries of watershed events that shaped the story of the rise of the modern state of Israel.
One hundred years ago, on October 31, 1917, Australian troops charged the Ottoman lines at Beersheba, setting in motion the beginning of the end for that empire and its control over much of the Middle East, including what is now Israel. Two days later, on November 2, 1917, Lord Arthur Balfour issued what has become known as the Balfour Declaration, committing to support a “Jewish national home” in Palestine.
Seventy years ago today, on November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 181, calling for the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. Finally, 40 years ago, on November 19, 1977, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat made his historic visit to the Jewish state, leading to a peace treaty that secured Israel’s place in the region.
Had any of these events not occurred, or occurred differently, Israel as we know it today — a thriving, strong, democratic, hi-tech nation — might not exist.
Read the full article by Colin Rubenstein at The Australian (subscription only).