6.4 The First Intifada and the Oslo Peace Process

The First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, erupted in 1987. It marked a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict, shifting global perceptions and leading to diplomatic efforts for peace. The uprising's impact set the stage for negotiations.

The Oslo Peace Process, a series of agreements in the 1990s, aimed to resolve the conflict. It established Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Despite initial progress, the process faced challenges and ultimately failed to achieve a lasting peace agreement.

Palestinian Uprising

Origins and Key Players of the First Intifada

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• First Intifada erupted in December 1987 as a grassroots Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation
• Sparked by an Israeli military truck collision killing four Palestinians in Gaza
• Characterized by widespread civil disobedience, strikes, and protests
• Palestinians employed stone-throwing and tire burning as primary tactics
• Israel responded with force, leading to increased casualties and international attention
• Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) emerged as the primary representative of Palestinian interests
  • Founded in 1964 to liberate Palestine through armed struggle
  • Led by Yasser Arafat from 1969 until his death in 2004
  • Initially considered a terrorist organization by Israel and the United States

Impact and Consequences of the Uprising

• First Intifada lasted until 1993, resulting in over 1,000 Palestinian deaths and 100 Israeli deaths
• Brought international attention to the Palestinian cause and Israeli occupation
• Shifted global perception of the conflict, portraying Palestinians as victims rather than aggressors
• Led to increased diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Yasser Arafat played a crucial role in mobilizing international support for Palestinian statehood
  • Delivered speeches at the United Nations General Assembly
  • Engaged in diplomatic negotiations with Israeli and international leaders
• Intifada paved the way for the Oslo Peace Process and subsequent negotiations

Oslo Peace Process

Key Agreements and Negotiations

• Oslo Accords refers to a series of agreements between Israel and the PLO in the 1990s
• Secret negotiations in Oslo, Norway led to the initial breakthrough in 1993
• Declaration of Principles signed on September 13, 1993, in Washington D.C.
  • Outlined a framework for Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
  • Established a five-year interim period for further negotiations on final status issues
• Gaza-Jericho Agreement signed in May 1994
  • Implemented the first stage of Palestinian self-rule in Gaza and Jericho
  • Outlined Israeli military withdrawal and transfer of civil authority to Palestinians
• Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement (Oslo II) signed in September 1995
  • Expanded Palestinian self-rule to other parts of the West Bank
  • Divided the West Bank into Areas A, B, and C with varying levels of Palestinian and Israeli control

Implementation and Challenges

• Oslo Process faced numerous obstacles and setbacks
• Continued Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied territories
• Violent attacks by extremist groups on both sides (Hamas suicide bombings, Baruch Goldstein massacre)
• Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by a right-wing Israeli extremist
• Failure to reach a final agreement on key issues (Jerusalem, refugees, borders) by the end of the interim period
• Second Intifada erupted in 2000, further derailing the peace process

Proposed Solution

Palestinian Authority and Governance

• Palestinian Authority (PA) established in 1994 as a result of the Oslo Accords
• Responsible for civil administration and internal security in Areas A and B of the West Bank
• Initially led by Yasser Arafat as President, followed by Mahmoud Abbas
• PA faced challenges in establishing effective governance and combating corruption
• Limited authority and resources hindered the PA's ability to provide services and maintain security
• Internal divisions between Fatah and Hamas further complicated Palestinian governance

Two-State Solution and Its Challenges

• Two-state solution proposes the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel
• Widely supported by the international community as the preferred resolution to the conflict
• Key issues to be resolved include:
  • Final borders and territorial swaps
  • Status of Jerusalem (proposed as a shared capital)
  • Palestinian refugees' right of return
  • Israeli settlements in the West Bank
  • Security arrangements
• Obstacles to implementing the two-state solution include:
  • Continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank
  • Palestinian political divisions (Fatah-Hamas split)
  • Lack of trust between Israeli and Palestinian leadership
  • Disagreements on the status of Jerusalem and refugee issues
• Alternative proposals (one-state solution, confederation) gained attention as two-state solution faced setbacks