The 2nd Intifada: ten years on

17 Aug 2010

As we mark the passing of the tenth anniversary since the second Palestinian uprising, Anna Costin looks at the extent to which the Arab-Israeli conflict has impacted on aviation security in the past decade and, in doing so, reviews the extent to which the region’s conflict has become intertwined with and hijacked by those with a different set of goals. 

The Arab-Israeli conflict is one of the longest and most complex and controversial wars of modern times.  And the Second Intifada – the First Intifada occurred from 1987 to 1993 – is one of the most controversial episodes within that conflict.  Also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada [Intifada is an Arabic word which translates as ‘shaking-off’, and in this sense refers to shaking off the occupation by Israel] after the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, even the exact start date – in late September 2000 – is disputed.   Many sources cite the catalyst as being future Israeli Prime Minister, then leader of the Likud Party, Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount on 28 September 2000, where he declared the site would be under perpetual Israeli control.  The Temple Mount is the third holiest site in Islam, and holiest in Judaism.  However, most sources purport that the Intifada began after months of mounting tension and violent incidents stemming from failed peace talks at Camp David under the auspices of the US government, where serious attempts to form an independent Palestinian state fell apart – resulting in then Palestinian Authority (PA) leader Yassir Arafat walking out on the talks…MORE ONLINE (ASI)

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