| What was David Ben-Gurion's role in the creation of the State of Israel? | David Ben-Gurion is known as Israel's ‘founding father.’ He became the leader of the Jewish Agency in 1935 and later became the first prime minister of Israel in 1949. |
| What major political stance did Ben-Gurion oppose in 1939? | Ben-Gurion opposed the White Paper of 1939, which limited Jewish immigration to Palestine. |
| What was Ben-Gurion’s role in the 1948-49 Arab-Israeli War? | Ben-Gurion oversaw military operations during the 1948-49 Arab-Israeli War and was responsible for the merging of the Irgun, Lehi, and Haganah into the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). |
| How did Ben-Gurion influence Israel's military structure? | Ben-Gurion led to the centralization of Israeli military forces and ordered Ariel Sharon to create a commando unit to defend against fedayeen attacks. |
| What was Ben-Gurion’s involvement in the 1956 Suez Crisis? | Ben-Gurion planned the joint French-British-Israeli invasion during the Suez Crisis and signed the Protocol of Sevres. |
| What were the results of Ben-Gurion’s actions in the Suez Crisis? | Ben-Gurion's actions in the Suez Crisis resulted in securing access to the Straits of Tiran and the placement of UN troops in Sinai and Gaza, protecting Israeli borders from fedayeen. |
| Where was Gamal Abdel Nasser born? | Nasser was born in Alexandria, Egypt. |
| What significant military role did Nasser play before rising to power? | Nasser graduated from the Royal Military Academy as an officer and fought in the Arab-Israeli War. |
| What political movement did Nasser found, and what major event did it lead to? | Nasser founded the Free Officers' Movement, which led to a military coup that overthrew the Egyptian monarchy. |
| How did Nasser consolidate power in Egypt after becoming president? | Nasser unified Egypt under a one-party state, the National Union, and became president from 1954 until his death in 1970. |
| What was Nasser’s role in the Suez Crisis, and what was the outcome for Egypt? | Nasser stood up to Britain and France during the Suez Crisis, gaining complete control of the Suez Canal, though Israel took territory. The U.S. pressured Israel to withdraw by 1957. |
| What was the result of Nasser's involvement in the Six-Day War, and how did he react? | Nasser suffered a massive loss of land and prestige during the Six-Day War. Although he offered to resign, he was asked to remain in power, and he continued a war of attrition. He died of a heart attack three years later. |
| Where was Anwar Sadat born, and what was significant about his family background? | Sadat was born into poverty as one of fourteen children. |
| How did Sadat become involved in Egyptian politics before rising to the presidency? | Sadat graduated from the Royal Military Academy, met Nasser in Sudan, and helped form the Free Officers' Movement, participating in the 1952 coup that overthrew King Farouk. |
| What role did Sadat play during the Yom Kippur War, and what did Egypt gain as a result? | Sadat ordered a pre-emptive strike against Israel, regaining Egyptian prestige and the Sinai Peninsula, and was hailed as the ‘Hero of the Crossing.’ |
| What diplomatic steps did Sadat take following the Yom Kippur War to improve Egypt’s position? | Sadat reopened the Suez Canal in 1975 and secured the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Suez Canal area. |
| What historic visit did Sadat make in 1977, and what was its significance? | Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel on an official visit, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin. |
| What was the result of Sadat's peace efforts with Menachem Begin, and what recognition did he receive for it? | Sadat signed the Camp David Accords in 1978, which led to a peace agreement with Israel, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Menachem Begin. |
| Where was Golda Meir born, and where did she emigrate to as a child? | Golda Meir was born in Kiev in 1898 and emigrated to the US in 1906. |
| What significant migration did Golda Meir make in 1921, and with whom? | In 1921, Golda Meir migrated to Palestine with her husband. |
| How did Golda Meir contribute to Israeli fundraising efforts before her political career? | Golda Meir raised $50 million on a fundraising tour of the US. |
| What high-profile political positions did Golda Meir hold before becoming Prime Minister? | She held positions as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Minister of Labour, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister of Internal Affairs. |
| What was Golda Meir's role during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, and what decision did she make regarding Israeli military action? | Golda Meir ordered a full mobilization of the Israeli military but did not authorize a pre-emptive strike, and she was later supported by Henry Kissinger for this decision. |
| How did Golda Meir's leadership come under scrutiny after the Yom Kippur War, and what was the result? | Despite Israel recovering from the surprise attack, confidence in Meir was lost, and she resigned in 1974, although she won the election. A commission later absolved her of responsibility. |
