The Second Intifada

See also: Al-Aqsa

The the second Intifada or Intifada Al-Aqsa (in Arab إنتفاضةفلسطينيةثاني ) indicates the whole of the events having marked the rising of the Palestinians as from September 2000, in reference to the the First Intifada started in 1987.

Historical context

• israélo-Palestinian Peace process in the dead end;

• Israeli Withdrawal of the Southern Lebanon interpreted by some like a success of the methods of the Hezbollah;
• Luttes of influence enters the Palestinian factions of the Fatah and the Hamas;
• Dissension of part of the Israeli population with the concessions suggested by the government in place at the time of the tops of Camp David II (July 2000) then of Taba (July 2001).

Release

September 27th, 2000, a Palestinian attack makes a death with Netzarim.

September 28th, 2000, Ariel Sharon, member of Parliament and member of the Likoud (at the time in the political opposition with the government of Ehud Barak), makes a visit under high security on the Esplanade of the mosques/Mont of the Temple to Jerusalem. Its arrival, envisaged and authorized for a long time, is framed by: 1500 police officers. More than one thousand of Palestinians await it, of which many young people belonging to the chabiba which concerns the Fatah. This visit is interpreted like a provocation by the Palestinians and the Arab population.

The day before, Yasser Arafat, invited to dine by Ehud Barak in its residence, discuss with Israeli the Prime Minister. It is about the first meeting between the two leaders since the Sommet of Camp David II. The statute of the Esplanade of the mosques and the Mont of the temple occupies the essence of the conversation. Arafat asks Ehud Barak to prohibit the visit because it acts according to him of a provocation suitable for increase the tensions between the two people and risk to cause new riots. The general Amos Guilad, chief of Aman, and Yehouda Wilk, general inspector of the police force, share his fears. Barak answers Arafat that it cannot be opposed to the will of a member of Knesset to go on the place.

The bond between the displacement of Ariel Sharon and the release of the second Intifada is discussed: certain Israeli and international commentators see there only the pretext with the release of an insurrection prepared by Yasser Arafat since the failure of the Sommet of Camp David II at the summer 2000 and after 8 years of unfruitful negotiations and in the context of the attacks by Palestinian the extremists groups. Other analysts exclude the character premeditated from the rising and think on the contrary which Arafat did nothing but take moving the train of the Intifada.

The Rapport Mitchell established that the riots were not the consequence of the visit of Ariel Sharon, although its provocative effect should have been envisaged. According to the same Commission, the Prime Minister Ehud Barak declares that the visit was intended to be an act of interior policy directed against him by a political adversary and that he refused to prohibit it .

Chronology

See also: Chronology of the Second Intifada

Cycle violence

After the departure of Ariel Sharon, confrontations oppose Palestinians and Israelis. Iron bars, stones are thrown on the Jewish priors top of the Wailing Wall and the kingpins on the Israeli forces. Seven Palestinians are killed and several hundreds are wounded whose certain will find death in the days which follow.

Media Relai

See also: Business Mohamed Al-Durah

Violence goes up of a notch, the September 30th, lorqu' a cameraman of France 2 films the dead of Mohamed Al-Durah in the arms of his/her father. The Israeli authorities reject the responsibility on Yasser Arafat, while the Palestinians show Israel to have imposed this conflict on Arafat.

Palestinian attacks

The Palestinians seize of it with the emblems Israeli power in the occupied territories and tend to them embuscadent fatal. Marouan Barghouti is essential like “a true war leader”.

Israeli reprisals

The Israeli generals who direct the army in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip ask for clear instructions. The troops receive the order to circulate only in the armored cars and are authorized to draw in the legs from the demonstrators. Brigades are sent in reinforcement in the occupied territories