As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members. The State of Israel was formally established by the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948, and was admitted to the United Nations (UN) as a full member state on 11 May 1949. It also maintains bilateral ties with all of the UNSC Permanent Five. 29 member states have either never formally recognized Israel or have withdrawn their recognition; others have severed diplomatic relations without explicitly withdrawing their recognition.
Cuba recognises Israel.
As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members.
Historical Significance
As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members.
Events Before
25 states merge under the Government of Orissa
25 states merge under the Government of Orissa
Mahatma Gandhi begins his final fast
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 at the age of 78 in the compound of The Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti), a large mansion in central New Delhi.
Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in the garden of the New Delhi home he is visiting by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse
Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated in the garden of the New Delhi home he is visiting by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse
American comic Dick Van Dyke (22) weds American girlfriend Margerie Willett (20) on the radio show "Bride and Groom" in
American comic Dick Van Dyke (22) weds American girlfriend Margerie Willett (20) on the radio show "Bride and Groom" in Los Angeles California; divorce in 1984 after a long separation
Iris Apfel (née Barrel) marries Carl Apfel
Iris Apfel (née Barrel) marries Carl Apfel
Events After
Emil Jannings dies
Emil Jannings, Swiss-born German actor, known for german actor, died on 1950-01-02. Emil Jannings was a Swiss-born German actor who was popular in Hollywood films in the 1920s.
The Dutch government raises all wages by a maximum of 5%
The Dutch government raises all wages by a maximum of 5%
Israeli Knesset declares Jerusalem the capital of Israel
The Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem, known to Israelis as the reunification of Jerusalem, refers to the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War, and its…
US President Harry Truman publicly announces support for the development of a hydrogen bomb
Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953.
British naturalist and future broadcaster David Attenborough (24) weds British classmate and cook Jane Elizabeth Ebswort
British naturalist and future broadcaster David Attenborough (24) weds British classmate and cook Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel, until her death in 1997
More from the 1940s
D-Day: The Normandy Landings
Allied forces launch the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation.
World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pled
World War II: Representatives of 26 nations at war with the Axis powers sign the Declaration of the United Nations, pledging to make no separate peace deals
Mahatma Gandhi begins a march for peace in East Bengal
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political thinker who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign…
Omar al-Bashir is born
Omar al-Bashir is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 19, 1949?
- As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members. The State of Israel was formally established by the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948, and was admitted to the United Nations (UN) as a full member state on 11 May 1949. It also maintains bilateral ties with all of the UNSC Permanent Five.
- Why is Cuba recognises Israel. significant?
- As of January 2026, the State of Israel is recognized as a sovereign state by 166 of the other 192 member states of the United Nations, or approximately 86% of all UN members.