The causes and outcomes of Palestinian Intifadas

Abstract

The Master’s Essay examines the causes of Palestinian intifadas (First Intifada and Al-Aqsa or Second Intifada), the role of international organizations, the influence of Israeli lobby on the conflict, the U.S. policy, the Oslo Accords, the Roadmap to Peace. It is argued that the Second Intifada broke out when the Oslo Accords failed: the peace process yielded in nothing, no agreements have been implemented completely. There have been violations of international law, which has not been addressed properly and influence of international organizations, especially UN, was not significant enough to force the sides to comply with the agreements. The other part of the Essay deals with the reasons behind the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the development of extremist groups. The competing interests and struggle for regional power created extremist groups and forced Islamic Fundamentalism to gain momentum and get support of the masses. Other argument supporting this idea is that when the people fail to build a state and suffer territorial losses and are suppressed all the time to exercise their rights as a nation, they turn to religion to achieve these goals.