The Israeli aggression continues against innocent Palestinians who have no recourse as the world watches and even refuses to condemn the atrocities. At least 122 people including 31 children have been killed the latest tensions while the global powers refuse to convene a meeting.
In such circumstances, the people have just one solution – an intifada. This is an Arabic word which means a rebellion or uprising, or rather a resistance movement. It is a key concept in contemporary Arabia usage referring to a legitimate uprising against oppression. In the decades-old Israel-Palestine conflict, the First Intifada began against the Israeli occupation lasting from December 1987 to 1993. It was a series of sustained attacks in occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip and within Israel.
The First Intifada began when Israeli troops killed four Palestinians at a refugee camp. The Palestinian response was swift and unexpected leading to protests, violence and civil disobedience. There were civil efforts including strikes, boycotting the civil administration, refusing to work in settlements, refusal to pay taxes and drive cars with Israeli licenses, and an economic boycott on purchase of Israeli goods.
Israel’s response was brutal as it deployed over 80,000 soldiers and fired live rounds on Palestinians. In the first 13 months, 332 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed. Over six years, the Israeli forces killed an estimated 1,603 Palestinians. The led to the ensuing Second Intifada which took place from September 2000 to 2005 sparked by failure of peace accords and Israeli leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to Temple Mount. The Israelis resorted to gunfire, air attacks, and targeted killings while the Palestinians engaged in rock-throwing, gunfire, rockets attacks and suicide bombings. The death toll is estimated to be about 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis.
Now with the ongoing escalating tensions, there is a high probability of a Third Intifada as the situation remains hostile. The violence has spread to cities where Jews and Arabs live side by side and there have been clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians. There has been a state of emergency in many towns with a high number of the Arab minority. This has led to concerns over a civil war or ethnic strike. When oppression becomes laws, resistance becomes duty. The Palestinians have no option but to resist through non-violent means or even otherwise for their legitimate struggle.
