https://inthesetimes.com/article/first-palestinian-intifada-israel-gaza-democracy-feminism-community-council
The Attacks
Beginning in December of 1987, the First Intifada was a set of Palestinian boycotts and attacks in response to Israel’s control over Palestinians in certain areas such as the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Many Palestinians were becoming frustrated with Israel’s control over them and they began to grow in nationalism, creating the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) which was formed around 1964 (Britannica). The Palestinians were also starting protests following the Israel invasion of Lebanon.
“The Intifada is vicious. It is unlike any war Israel has fought before”
Shaul Mofaz
One specific event which sparked the First Intifada was when an Israeli vehicle killed four Palestinians in a car crash. This began to cause a significant uprising against Israel which is a moment remembered in history. After this, there was a series of spontaneous Palestinian demonstrations such as boycotts, people refusing to work, and attacks including rocks, Molotov cocktails, and firearms on occasion (PBS).
In response to these attacks, the Israeli government incorporated policies in which they were breaking the bones of protesters, which caused an high count of fatalities. The Israeli government killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and injured more than 130,000 in the First Intifada (PBS). The ratio of Palestinian to Israeli deaths was slightly more than 3 to 1 (Britannica). The First Intifada was also largely led by Palestinian women who launched mass demonstrations and came together to create social committees. Bacha remarked in a 2018 interview that “There was such a powerful sense of unity and purpose among Palestinians during that time” (PBS).
Towards the end of the Intifada
In 1988, the US called for a rejection of terrorism and and recognition of Israel’s right to exist, which the PLO accepted (Britannica). Then, a new Israeli government was created, which was fighting for peace. Alongside with this, a new organization named Hamas was created. This group was in Palestine and they were voicing for an Islamic state in all of “historical Palestine” (Britannica). They rejected the Oslo Accords and sparked suicide attacks against Israeli targets. This was a crucial moment because the PLO and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1993, “The Oslo Accords”, but Hamas was fighting against it. The First Intifada ended in 1993 due to the Oslo Accords.
“According to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, nearly 2,000 deaths due to violence occurred during the first intifada; the ratio of Palestinian to Israeli deaths was slightly more than 3 to 1” (Britannica).
2 Comments
Sheldon, i like how you used very specific numbers and great evidence, with great sources, like when you conveyed “The Israeli government killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and injured more than 130,000 in the First Intifada (PBS). The ratio of Palestinian to Israeli deaths was slightly more than 3 to 1 (Britannica).”
I really like how informational your article is. It does a really good job in explaining the first intifada in detail because it helps the reader to truly understand the events that transpired. I also like how you have images throughout the piece and titles that help the reader follow along with what you are saying.