Structured Response 4

Though the main function of the intifada, to establish Palestine as a free individual nation, failed to occur, it did bring about many other impacts. The intifada consisted of strikes, boycotts, tax refusals, occupations, and blockades that eventually forced Palestine Liberation Organization to take action (like writing a new Declaration of Independence). However, this didn’t give Palestine independence; it actually backfired- and now Palestine will fight authoritarian control for the land they were born on. Some of the negative impacts of the intifada in Palestinian society include: challenging social relationships and behaviors, creating strain and conflict within society, faction infighting, increased violence, backlash against women, and an increase in subjection to violence and repression. One positive aspect is that Palestinians were given a sense of power as they learned to manipulate Israelis through nonviolent methods. This gave them a strong feeling of having a voice, and even though they were unable to accomplish the main goal, they had accomplished something important.

The impact on Israeli society was more destructive. The actions they took against Palestine ended up backfiring and took away from their safety and land. There were moral and economic costs to the army and civilians, but also a reemergence of over 50 Israel peace groups. Although the uprising didn’t cause Israeli withdrawals from the Occupied Areas, the intifada did incur some direct and indirect costs to Israel. The structure of relations between Israel and Palestine were altered, and now the fight for territory and independence will continue to persist.