Second intifada

Definition

The second intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, was a Palestinian uprising that began in September 2000 and lasted until around 2005. It emerged in response to ongoing frustrations regarding Israeli occupation, lack of progress in peace negotiations, and growing tensions in the region, particularly after Ariel Sharon's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. This uprising is marked by intensified violence, including suicide bombings, military incursions, and clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The second intifada was triggered by Ariel Sharon's controversial visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which many Palestinians saw as a provocation.
2. This uprising led to more than 4,000 Palestinian deaths and over 1,000 Israeli deaths, highlighting the intense violence during this period.
3. The second intifada saw the rise of suicide bombings as a prominent tactic used by Palestinian militants against Israeli targets.
4. Israeli military responses included targeted assassinations of Palestinian leaders and extensive military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
5. The uprising significantly impacted Israeli-Palestinian relations and resulted in a shift in international perceptions of the conflict, leading to increased calls for intervention.

Review Questions

• How did the second intifada impact Palestinian society and their strategies for resistance against Israeli occupation?
  • The second intifada had profound effects on Palestinian society, leading to widespread disillusionment with peace negotiations and a shift towards more militant forms of resistance. As frustrations grew over the lack of progress following the Oslo Accords, many Palestinians turned to armed struggle as a means to achieve their goals. The violence also fostered a sense of national unity among various factions but deepened divisions between moderates and extremists within Palestinian society.
• Evaluate the role of international actors during the second intifada and how they influenced the conflict dynamics between Israel and Palestine.
  • International actors played a complex role during the second intifada, with various countries and organizations attempting to mediate between Israel and Palestine. The United States, for example, pushed for peace talks but struggled to make significant progress amid ongoing violence. Additionally, organizations like the European Union expressed concern over human rights violations committed by both sides, yet these interventions often lacked effectiveness due to the entrenched positions of both Israelis and Palestinians.
• Assess the long-term consequences of the second intifada on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and future peace efforts.
  • The long-term consequences of the second intifada have been significant in shaping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The uprising solidified divisions between moderate factions seeking negotiation and militant groups advocating for armed resistance. This period also led to heightened security measures by Israel, including barriers and checkpoints, which further entrenched separation. Consequently, subsequent peace efforts have faced immense challenges as mistrust grew between both sides, making it increasingly difficult to find common ground or negotiate lasting solutions.

Related terms

Oslo Accords: A series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aimed at achieving a peace treaty and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Intifada: An Arabic term meaning 'uprising' or 'shaking off,' used to describe Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, with two significant events occurring in 1987-1993 and 2000-2005.

Hamas: A Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that emerged in the late 1980s, known for its resistance against Israel and its role in the second intifada.