October 17, 1973 — Embargo Weaponizes Oil Against Israel’s Allies
An M-60 tank is offloaded from a U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy in Israel during the October 1973 war. U.S. Air Force.
Oil ministers from Arab states cut exports by 5% and recommend an embargo of Israel’s allies in response to the U.S. military airlift to Israel during the Yom Kippur War. When President Richard Nixon asks Congress for $2.2 billion in emergency aid to Israel on Oct. 19, Libya announces an embargo against the United States, and the remaining Arab states join. By the end of the embargo in March 1974, the price of oil quadruples.
October 18, 1991 — Israel, Soviets Resume Relations
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir (left) welcomes Soviet Foreign Minister Boris Pankin to Jerusalem on Oct. 18, 1991. By Tsvika Israeli, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Soviet Union and Israel resume full diplomatic relations for the first time since June 1967. The two countries, split since the Six-Day War, experienced a thaw while Mikhail Gorbachev led the Soviet Union, and they established consular ties in 1987. Full diplomatic relations are contingent on Israel’s agreement to participate in the 1991 Madrid peace conference, co-sponsored by the Soviet Union and the United States.
October 19, 1959 — Politician Nir Barkat Is Born
As mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat attends a ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers at Ammunition Hill on May 8, 2011. By Amos Ben Gershom, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Nir Barkat is born in Jerusalem, which he serves as mayor from 2008 to 2018. He founds BRM, which specializes in antivirus software, in 1988, and the company becomes an incubator for tech companies such as Check Point and Backweb. He loses the 2003 mayoral election to Uri Lupolianski, then reverses the results in 2008 and wins re-election in 2013. After two terms as mayor, Barkat joins the Likud party and is elected to the Knesset.
October 20, 1952 — First Female Knesset Speaker Is Born
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik presides over the opening of the Knesset’s winter session Oct. 27, 2008, while President Shimon Peres addresses the legislature. By Amos Ben Gershom, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Dalia Itzik, who in 2006 becomes the first woman to serve as the Knesset speaker, is born in Jerusalem. She gets her start in politics as the chairwoman of the Jerusalem Teachers Union for five years and is elected to the Jerusalem City Council in 1989. She first wins a seat in the Knesset in 1992 as a Labor Party member. After switching to Kadima in 2006, she serves as interim president from January to July 2007. She retires from politics in 2012.
October 21, 1967 — Egypt Sinks Warship Eilat
The Eilat served as the British ship HMS Zealous during World War II. Israel bought the destroyer in 1955. By D.W. Cooksey, British Royal Navy.
Egyptian Komar-class missile boats within the harbor at Port Said fire Soviet-made missiles at the Israeli destroyer INS Eilat, which is on a routine patrol in international Mediterranean waters. The ship is almost cut in half and sinks within minutes. Of the 199-man crew, 47 sailors are killed, and more than 100 others are wounded. The Eilat was the HMS Zealous, a World War II British destroyer that Israel bought in 1955.
October 22, 1979 — High Court Rules Against Settlement
Supreme Court President Moshe Landau (left) socializes with Justice Minister Shmuel Tamir (center) and Prime Minister Menachem Begin in March 1980, five months after he made the settlement ruling. By Chanania Herman, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Israeli Supreme Court rules that the Gush Emunim settlement of Elon Moreh must be dismantled because of a lack of evidence that it was established for security reasons. The decision, on an appeal by Arab landowners, marks the first time the high court has ruled against Jewish settlers in nine years of such cases. The settlers have 30 days to evacuate. The military government must cover the trial costs of the Arab residents of Rujeib.
October 23, 1868 — Philanthropist Mond Is Born
A statue of Alfred Mond by Batia Lishansky stands in the town of Tel Mond, established on land he purchased. By Dr. Avishai Teicher, own work, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Alfred Mond, a future member of Parliament and ardent early British Zionist, is born in England. The son of Jews, Mond is not raised Jewish. He marries in the Anglican Church and raises his children as Christians but still faces antisemitic attacks in Parliament. After the Balfour Declaration, he uses his wealth to support Jewish settlement in Palestine, including the town of Tel Mond, and helps found the Jewish Agency.
Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.