Israel's History:
1949

1949:
by Michal Kabatznik, 2002-2003 Hanegev Israel Affairs VP

In the year 1949 Israel was just starting out as a state. Here are some of the events taking place there in 1949.

• In January a cease-fire agreement was signed with Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon.
• Israel's first democratic elections were held on January 25th. Chaim Weizmann was elected president, while David Ben Gurion formed a government as Israel's first Prime Minister.
• In April Jordan signed a cease-fire as well as taking Jerusalem. Jerusalem would remain in Jordanian hands until the Six Day War in 1967.
• Operation "Magic Carpet" begins bringing Yemenite and Moroccan Jews to Israel.
• On May 13th Israel was admitted to the United Nations. 37 nations voted in favor, 12 opposed, and 9 abstained.
• On September 18th, Theodore Herzl's remains were brought to Israel and reburied at Har Herzl military cemetary in Jerusalem.
• On November 7th, Jerusalem was declared as Israel's official capital.