Intifada is an Arab word referring to a rebellion, uprising, or resistance movement. In the context of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, it refers to two popular uprisings in recent decades. Since October 7, 2023, calls for a “Third Intifada” have increased significantly, raising serious concerns given the violent history associated with previous intifadas.

The First Intifada: Started in 1987, and lasting until approximately the time of the Madrid Conference in 1991, the First Intifada was a violent uprising by Palestinian society to protest Israeli government policies towards the Palestinians. Throughout the First Intifada, young Palestinians took to the streets fighting the Israelis with civil disobedience, barricades, stone-throwing, and Molotov cocktails. While sometimes characterized as “non-violent resistance,” the First Intifada resulted in approximately 200 Israeli deaths and over 1,000 Palestinian deaths, including many killed by Palestinian factions for alleged collaboration.

The Second Intifada: Ignited by Yasser Arafat in 2000 after the failure of the Camp David summit that year, the Second Intifada is recalled for the approximately 1,100 Israelis killed, including in 142 suicide bombings that were detonated across Israel over several years. These bombs targeted cafes, buses, restaurants, hotels, and most importantly, Israeli civilians. Thousands died on both sides of the Second Intifada, which lasted until around 2005. The campaign of deliberate attacks on civilians led Israel to construct the security barrier, which reduced terrorism by over 90%.

The history of intifadas in the Israel-Palestinian conflict is violent. Today, when there are calls to “Globalize the Intifada,” this is a call for violence against Israel or against Jews more broadly. Calls to “Globalize the Intifada” are usually heard alongside calls like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” There is no nuance to these statements: they are calling for the destruction and/or dismantling of Israel as a sovereign state in the Middle East. Since October 2023, slogans like “Globalize the Intifada” have been associated with a 361% increase in antisemitic incidents worldwide, demonstrating the direct connection between such rhetoric and violence against Jewish communities.

Sources

[1] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The First Intifada: Background and Consequences.”

[2] Israel Security Agency, “Analysis of Terror Attacks 2000-2005.”

[3] B’nai Brith International, “Global Antisemitism Report,” 2024.