U.S. Recognition of the State of Israel At midnight on May 14, 1948, the Provisional Government of Israel proclaimed a new State of Israel. On that same date, the United States, in the person of President Truman, recognized the provisional Jewish government as the de facto authority of the Jewish state ( de jure recognition was extended on January 31, 1949). Read more... Primary Sources Links go to DocsTeach, the online tool for teaching with documents from the National Archives. Enlarge Telegra