Israel

Timeline

`14 May 1948`	Israel declares its independence.
`14 May 1948`	President Harry S. Truman declares in writing: "This Government has been informed that a Jewish state has been proclaimed in Palestine, and recognition has been requested by the provisional government thereof. The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the State of Israel."
`8 Jun 1967`	34 American servicemen are killed and 171 wounded when the highly-conspicuous U.S.S. Liberty is strafed twice in 75 minutes by Israeli fighters and torpedo boats. The American spy ship happens to be sitting in international waters, 15 miles off the coast of Egypt, monitoring unfolding events of the Six Day War. Israel soon labels the incident a regrettable "error," claiming that they did not realize it was an American ship. For some reason, the United States pretends to accept this laughable explanation as well as a large restitution payment for the damage incurred by the vessel.
`6 Oct 1981`	Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt and peacemaker with Israel, assassinated on live TV.
`4 Nov 1995`	Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, assassinated at a peace rally by a right wing Jewish extremist.