What Were The Palestinian Intifadas? | NowThis World

Summary

The Palestinian Intifadas were significant uprisings against Israeli occupation, sparked by a growing sense of Palestinian nationalism and dissatisfaction with Israeli policies. The First Intifada (1987-1993) was marked by nonviolent protests and violent retaliation, culminating in the Oslo Accords. However, the hoped-for peace quickly faded, leading to the Second Intifada (2000-2005) after a failed peace summit and a provocative visit by Ariel Sharon. This second uprising escalated into violence, including suicide bombings and military campaigns. Both uprisings led to thousands of casualties and highlighted the deep-seated mistrust and ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tension and violence between Palestinians and Israelis has a long history, with multiple uprisings, or Intifadas, over the years.
• 😀 The term 'Intifada' translates from Arabic as 'shake' or 'shaking,' reflecting the political unrest it represents.
• 😀 The First Intifada began in December 1987, sparked by an incident involving the deaths of four Palestinians in a car crash involving an Israeli military vehicle.
• 😀 Palestinians faced economic hardships and repressive measures like arrests and deportations before the First Intifada, contributing to widespread discontent.
• 😀 The First Intifada was largely nonviolent at first, with Palestinians protesting through boycotts and civil disobedience, but violence escalated over time.
• 😀 Israeli military responded harshly to protests, including the controversial 'broken bone' policy to deal with stone-throwing demonstrators.
• 😀 The First Intifada led to the recognition of the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people by the United States.
• 😀 The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, aimed to bring peace, but their reality fell short, particularly for Palestinians, leading to further tensions.
• 😀 The Second Intifada, or Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in September 2000 after the collapse of peace talks, particularly due to the visit of Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount.
• 😀 The Second Intifada involved brutal violence on both sides, including suicide bombings by Palestinians and a large Israeli military campaign in Gaza, with significant casualties on both sides.

Q & A

What does the word 'Intifada' mean?

The word 'Intifada' directly translates from Arabic to mean 'shake' or 'shaking.' It refers to a political uprising or revolt, commonly used to describe Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation.

What were the main causes of the First Intifada?

The First Intifada was primarily caused by years of Palestinian dissatisfaction with Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, economic hardships, and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. Palestinians faced repressive measures such as raids, arrests, and deportations.

How did the First Intifada begin?

The First Intifada began in December 1987 after an Israeli military vehicle crashed into a car in the Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing four Palestinians. This incident, seen as retaliation for the killing of an Israeli man, is considered the catalyst for the uprising.

What were some of the tactics used by Palestinians during the First Intifada?

Palestinians initially used nonviolent methods such as boycotting and refusing to work in Israel. However, some protesters also resorted to violence, including throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at Israelis.

How did the Israeli military respond to the First Intifada?

The Israeli military responded with a heavy-handed approach, including the implementation of the 'broken bone' policy by Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin. This policy aimed to break the limbs of demonstrators who threw stones.

What was the outcome of the First Intifada?

The First Intifada ended in 1993 with the signing of the Oslo Accords, which led to the recognition of the PLO as the 'sole legitimate representative' of the Palestinian people. While it gave hope for peace, the reality of the accords did not meet Palestinian expectations, and the conflict continued.

What were the key events that led to the Second Intifada?

The Second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in September 2000 after the failure of peace talks at the Camp David summit. A key trigger was Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's controversial visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which sparked violence.

What role did Ariel Sharon's visit play in the Second Intifada?

Ariel Sharon's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in September 2000 was seen as highly provocative by Palestinians, leading to clashes between worshippers and his security guards. This event, alongside the collapse of peace talks, was a key factor in the outbreak of the Second Intifada.

How did the tactics of the Second Intifada differ from the First?

The Second Intifada saw an escalation of violence, including suicide bombings in public places like discos and restaurants, as well as rocket and sniper attacks. Palestinian militants employed more deadly tactics, while the Israeli military launched extensive operations such as 'Operation Defensive Shield.'

What was the death toll during the Second Intifada?

The Second Intifada resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,000 Israelis and 3,200 Palestinians. The conflict ended in February 2005 with a truce declared at the Sharm al-Sheikh summit, but the broader peace process remained unresolved.