Looking Back on the Second Intifada: Causes, Major Events & Consequences

Looking Back on the Second Intifada: Causes, Major Events & Consequences

Written in 2010, looking back a decade after the outbreak of the Second Intifada, this lengthy, thorough article from Haaertz reflects on the causes, major events, turning points and outcomes of this violent period. Examining eight key questions, the authors ultimately conclude that the Second Intifada was a senseless loss of human life that gained very little for both sides. See a summary of their main points below. 

  1. Who won? Israel. Not only did the Palestinians fail to achieve any significant advancements for their cause, but the Second Intifada led to increased Israeli security measures, the expansion of the settlement movement, a large division between the Palestinian people, and a tremendous loss of life.
  2. Was Israel’s victory decisive? No. White Israel did gain increased security, between the rise of the terrorist regime of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the tremendous loss of life, and the economic, psychological and ethical impact on society, Israel lost more than it gained in the Second Intifada.
  3. What were the causes? Among the many factors contributing to the outbreak of the Second Intifada were the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, the failure of peace talks at Camp David, inner Palestinian politics, and Ariel Sharon’s controversial visit to the Temple Mount.
  4. What was the turning point? Following the deadly Park Hotel bombing on Passover in Netanya, Israel’s decision to launch Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank and construct the separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank were major turning points in the Second Intifada. The article also mentions the resilience of the Israeli public in the face of terror.
  5. Did the Second Intifada have an end date? The article marks several plausible ends to the Second Intifada, including the death of Yassar Arafat in November 2004, Israel’s Disengagement from the Gaza Strip in August 2005, and the general dwindling of suicide attacks.
  6. What were the long-term effects of the Second Intifada? This period altered the political map of Israel, weakening the left and decreasing the trust of the Israeli public in the Arabs and the Peace Process. It pushed the issue of the Settlements behind a fence, out of general Israeli awareness, strengthened Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and contributed to a major rift between Fatah and Hamas.
  7. What are the chances that the Intifada will return? Written in 2010, this article predicted that the chances of an outbreak of a Third Intifada were highly likely, noting changes occurring in Palestinian society in Gaza and the West Bank. Although some of what they mention has changed since, the potential for a re-surge of violence and the absence of a solution remain. There have been waves of terror and major conflicts with Gaza since the writing of the article.
  8. Did the Second Intifada bring us closer to peace? No.