The word "intifadeh" is commonly spelled with variations such as "intifada" or "intifadah." The spelling reflects the pronunciation of the Arabic word that refers to an uprising or revolt. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ɪnˈtɪ.fə.də/ with stress on the second syllable. The "f" sound is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, and the letter "a" is pronounced as a short vowel sound. Different transliterations have emerged due to varying attempts to represent the word's Arabic spelling in English letters.
Intifadeh is a noun derived from Arabic, particularly used in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This term represents a campaign or uprising characterized by widespread civil disobedience, resistance, and revolt initiated by Palestinian individuals and groups against Israeli occupation in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
The word "intifadeh" literally translates to "shaking off" or "shaking free," reflecting the intent of the Palestinians to rebel against the Israeli authorities through various means, such as demonstrations, strikes, acts of civil disobedience, stone-throwing, and armed confrontations. This form of resistance originates from the Palestinian desire for self-determination, independence, and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The first Intifadeh took place in 1987 and lasted for more than six years, while the second Intifadeh occurred in 2000, following the collapse of the Camp David peace talks. Both uprisings resulted in significant casualties, violence, and trauma, affecting both Israelis and Palestinians.
The term "intifadeh" is commonly used within the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is acknowledged by various English-language news sources. It represents a period of intense social and political unrest and raises awareness about the ongoing struggle between Palestinians and Israelis for control of the occupied territories.
The word "intifada" (الانتفاضة) is an Arabic term that means "uprising" or "shake off". It is derived from the Arabic root "nafada" (نَفَضَ), which means "to shake off" or "to rise up". The word was widely popularized during the first Palestinian intifada, which was a period of widespread protests and resistance against Israeli occupation in the late 1980s and early 1990s.