FIRST INTIFADA Meaning and
Definition
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The First Intifada, also known as the Palestinian Uprising, refers to a sustained period of civil unrest and popular resistance that occurred in the occupied Palestinian territories, primarily the West Bank and Gaza Strip, from 1987 to 1993. It emerged as a spontaneous grassroots movement, driven by Palestinians' frustration and anger over the Israeli occupation.
This uprising marked a significant turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it was the first mass-scale popular revolt against the Israeli occupation. The grievances that fueled the First Intifada were multifaceted, including harsh Israeli policies, economic hardships, restrictions on movement, land confiscation, and the absence of political rights.
The Intifada was characterized by a broad range of nonviolent and violent methods of resistance, including demonstrations, strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience, stone-throwing, and occasional armed attacks. Palestinians resorted to these methods to express their discontent and challenge the Israeli occupation forces.
The impact of the First Intifada was profound. It put the Palestinian issue back in the global spotlight, garnering international attention and sympathy. It furthered Palestine's quest for self-determination, inspiring hope among Palestinians and creating a sense of national unity and identity. Additionally, the uprising propelled the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) back into relevance and ultimately led to the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, which initiated a peace process, albeit with mixed results.
Overall, the First Intifada is a historically significant event that changed the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and furthered the Palestinian quest for statehood and independence.
Etymology of FIRST INTIFADA
The word "intifada" originates from Arabic, which means "shaking off" or "uprising". It is derived from the root verb "n-t-f", which signifies the act of shaking or trembling. In the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the term "intifada" refers to a popular uprising or rebellion against Israeli occupation.
The word "first" in "first intifada" simply denotes that it was the initial major uprising of this nature. The Palestinian territories, predominantly the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, witnessed a substantial wave of civil resistance and protests against Israeli military rule and settlement expansion, leading to the adoption of the term "first intifada" to distinguish it from subsequent uprisings. The first intifada occurred from 1987 to 1993 and had a significant impact on the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
