Intifada is an Arabic term that means “uprising” or “shaking off.” It is most commonly used to describe the Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. There have been two major intifadas in history:
1. First Intifada (1987–1993)
- The First Intifada began in December 1987 and was largely a grassroots movement of protests, strikes, boycotts, and clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli military. It was sparked by long-standing tensions over the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories following the 1967 Six-Day War. The First Intifada ended with the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, which aimed to create a framework for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
2. Second Intifada (2000–2005)
- Also called the Al-Aqsa Intifada, the Second Intifada began in September 2000 after a visit by Israeli political figure Ariel Sharon to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (a highly sensitive religious site for both Muslims and Jews). This intifada was significantly more violent than the first, with both sides experiencing numerous casualties, including suicide bombings, military raids, and rocket attacks. It ended around 2005 after years of intense violence and led to a renewed focus on diplomacy.
Broader Use
The word “intifada” has been used in various contexts to signify popular resistance or uprisings, not limited to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In both cases, the intifadas were major events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and continue to influence the political landscape today.
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