Israeli Independence Declaration

The Israeli Declaration of Independence, signed on May 14, 1948, announced the creation of the State of Israel. It was drafted by leaders of the Jewish community in Palestine, declaring the establishment of a Jewish homeland following centuries of persecution and the recent end of British control. The declaration drew from the Jewish historical connection to the land and was based on the UN's 1947 plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. It aimed to establish a sovereign, democratic state, but also led to immediate conflict with neighboring Arab nations and Palestinian Arabs who opposed the new country's formation.