Israel's History:
1980

1980:
by Zack Portman, 2002-2003 SWUSY Israel Affairs VP

Here are some of the events that took place in Israel in 1980. Enjoy!

• Israel destroys Iraq's nuclear reactor:
  Israeli fighter bombers launched an air attack against Iraq's nuclear reactor that had been scheduled to go on line shortly. Iraq maintained an obvious program to build atomic weaponry. The Israeli government, fearing that such a weapon would be used against Israel, took the pre-emptive action of destroying the reactor and disrupting Iraq's plan to become a nuclear power.
• Embassy of Israel is opened in Cairo.
• Basic Law:
  "Jerusalem, Capital of Israel" is passed by Knesset.
• Inflation continues to soar; the lira is replaced by the shekel (1 shekel = 10 liras) as the basic unit of currency.
• Israel continues its withdrawal from Sinai - including the Refidim air base.
• The number of tourists arriving annually exceeds one million for the first time.
• Israel's exports surpass $10 billion.
• An Arab Muslim tries to assassinate Syrian President Assad.
• In July, Israel's Air Force accepts the first four F-16s in-country, following an 11-hour, 6,000-mile ferry flight from Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire.
• The Egyptian parliament ended their boycott against Israel.