Intifada is an Arabic word that literally means “shaking off” or “uprising.” It is most commonly used to refer to the two major Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The First Intifada began in December 1987 and lasted for six years. It was sparked by the killing of four Palestinian workers by an Israeli truck driver. The uprising was characterized by mass demonstrations, strikes, and civil disobedience. It ended in 1993 with the signing of the Oslo Accords, which established the Palestinian Authority.
The Second Intifada began in September 2000, following the collapse of the Oslo peace process. It was marked by an increase in violence on both sides, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and Israeli military incursions. The uprising ended in 2005 with the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Intifada is a complex and controversial topic. Some view it as a legitimate form of resistance against occupation, while others see it as a campaign of violence. However, there is no doubt that the intifadas have had a profound impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In addition to the Palestinian intifadas, the term intifada has also been used to describe other uprisings and resistance movements around the world, such as the Bahraini uprising of 2011 and the Syrian uprising of 2011.
It is important to note that the term intifada is not universally accepted. Some people argue that it should only be used to refer to the Palestinian uprisings, while others believe that it can be used to describe any uprising against oppression.