intifada

Intifada is an Arabic term meaning "shaking off" or "uprising." In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it denotes popular Palestinian actions in the occupied territories, especially the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The term is most closely associated with two major waves of protest beginning in the late 1980s.

First Intifada (1987–1993) was a broad-based uprising characterized by mass demonstrations, general strikes, civil disobedience, and, at times, clashes with Israeli forces. It involved wide participation across communities, including youth and women, and was organized in part through local committees and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The uprising helped internationalize the Palestinian question and contributed to the 1993 Oslo Accords and the creation of the Palestinian Authority.

Second Intifada (2000–2005), also called the Al-Aqsa Intifada by some, was more violent, with suicide bombings, Israeli military incursions, and broader urban conflict. It followed a breakdown of the peace process and a controversial visit by Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. The fighting caused thousands of deaths and deepened mutual distrust, leading to changes in security arrangements and the collapse of parts of the Oslo framework, by 2005.

Legacy: The term continues to be used for later Palestinian protests, though not all protests are labeled as an intifada. Historians discuss its causes, organization, and impact on Palestinian politics, Israeli security policies, and the prospects for peace, noting how each wave shifted leadership, tactics, and international perception of the conflict.