Increased tensions

Definition

Increased tensions refer to the growing hostilities, conflicts, and discord between groups or nations that can arise from a variety of political, social, or economic factors. This concept is particularly relevant when examining events in the context of the First Intifada and the Oslo Peace Process, where longstanding grievances and the struggle for rights and recognition fueled escalated conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, impacting efforts toward peace and coexistence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The First Intifada was a response to Israeli occupation, leading to widespread protests and violence that heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
2. During the Oslo Peace Process, despite initial hope for peace, increased tensions emerged from issues such as borders, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.
3. The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by a right-wing extremist exacerbated tensions and undermined the peace process.
4. Increased tensions often led to retaliatory violence on both sides, with significant casualties affecting civilian populations and further entrenching divisions.
5. The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank has been a continuous source of increased tensions, often viewed by Palestinians as an encroachment on their land and rights.

Review Questions

• How did the First Intifada contribute to increased tensions between Israelis and Palestinians?
  • The First Intifada marked a pivotal moment in Israeli-Palestinian relations as it arose from deep-seated frustrations over Israeli occupation. The uprising brought widespread attention to Palestinian grievances, leading to violent clashes that escalated existing animosities. This period saw an increase in hostility, not only undermining prospects for dialogue but also hardening attitudes on both sides against compromise.
• What role did the Oslo Accords play in managing or exacerbating increased tensions in the region?
  • While the Oslo Accords aimed to provide a framework for peace, they inadvertently led to increased tensions due to unfulfilled promises and ongoing disputes over key issues. The accords established a process for gradual autonomy but failed to resolve critical points like borders and refugees, which fueled resentment. As negotiations stalled and violence continued, public skepticism grew on both sides regarding each other's intentions.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of increased tensions on the peace process initiatives following the First Intifada.
  • Increased tensions following the First Intifada significantly hampered subsequent peace initiatives. As hostilities escalated, trust deteriorated between leaders and their constituents, making it increasingly difficult to engage in productive dialogue. Each outbreak of violence reinforced hardline positions within both societies, ultimately leading to repeated cycles of negotiation failure. The ongoing conflict left deep scars that shaped perceptions and responses in future attempts at reconciliation, complicating efforts toward lasting peace.

Related terms

First Intifada: A Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation that began in 1987 and lasted until the early 1990s, characterized by protests, civil disobedience, and violent clashes.

Oslo Accords: A series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) during the 1990s aimed at achieving peace and establishing Palestinian self-governance.

Settlements: Israeli communities built on land occupied during the 1967 Six-Day War, often seen as a major point of contention contributing to increased tensions in Israeli-Palestinian relations.