The First Intifada, from 1987-1993, was an uprising against Israeli security and military occupation facilitated by the Palestinians living in occupied territories in Israel. Its goals were to raise the cost of occupation, and to force Israel to consider nationalism for Palestinians. This was achieved through boycotts, stone-throwing and strikes. Tension had been building between the two nations ever since large Jewish populations started immigration to Palestine and Israel declared its independence in 1948. Palestinians were forced to pay taxes to Israel, while they were subject to army raids, random detentions, and denied basic civil rights. Palestinians' frustration had been simmering for years and the deaths of the Palestinians in Gaza on 9 December 1987 made it boil over. The Intifada was not led by a single person or group, but rather by small community groups that had their own agenda and provided education, food and medicine for fighters and civilians. The PLO and Hamas also had a part in the leadership of the first Intifada, but their involvement was minimal and limited to cities such as Beit Sahour and small portions of Bethlehem. Casualties were about 50-50 with both the Israelis and the Palestinians killing about 1000 Palestinians. The Israelis lost about 200 in total, most of them citizens. This attracted international attention. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 605 condemned Israel for the overt number of deaths that occurred in the first weeks ...

• published: 03 Apr 2012
• views: 191
• author: eblockhistory