Facts About Israel: History Israel's 60th Anniversary Edition   HISTORY: Biblical Times Jewish history began about 4,000 years ago (c. 17th century BCE) with the patriarchs - Abraham, his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob.   HISTORY: Second Temple Period - Return to Zion Following a decree by the Persian King Cyrus (538 BCE), 50,000 Jews set out on the first return to the Land of Israel.   HISTORY: Foreign Domination Roman rule was followed by centuries of domination by successive foreign powers: Byzantine, Arab, Crusaders, Mamluk, Ottoman and British.   HISTORY: The State of Israel On 14 May 1948, Israel proclaimed its independence.   HISTORY: The Peace Process The Madrid Peace Conference (October 1991) brought together representatives of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Palestinians.