what is intifada

Intifada is an Arabic word that means "shaking off" or "uprising". It is a term used to describe two major uprisings against Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Palestinian Intifada began in December 1987 and ended in September 1993 with the signing of the first Oslo Accords, which provided a framework for peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The second Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in September 2000 and ended around 2005. The second Intifada was much more violent than the first, with more than 4,300 fatalities. The Intifadas were primarily carried out by youth and were directed by the Unified National Leadership of the Uprising, a coalition of Palestinian political factions committed to ending the Israeli occupation and establishing Palestinian independence. Israels heavy-handed response included closing universities, deporting activists, and destroying homes. The Intifadas resulted in the death of more than 5,000 Palestinians and some 1,400 Israelis.