Abstract
This article aims to answer the question why the Palestinian Intifada (the huge uprising of 1987) lasted so long by analyzing three aspects: the historical background of Palestinian political activities inside the territories, the political situation just before the Intifada, and the function of the leadership.
After the 1978 Camp David accords between Egypt and Israel, the National Guidance Committee (NGC), which was opposed to this agreement, was established. Although this organization was led by nationalist mayors, it included members of trade unions, women’s organizations, and student unions. These political activities maintained their support of the PLO and did not create an alternative decision-making leadership inside the territories.
When the iron fist policy of Israeli authority began, the nature of political activities inside the territories changed to leaderless uprisings. There were several uprisings, but there was no coordination of the action. The main obstacle to forming a united leadership was factional conflict in the PLO. However, the 18th Palestinian National Council (PNC) realized factional reconciliation, after which the political situation changed somewhat.
After several uprisings, the Intifada followed in December 1987, only this uprising involved the participation of the United National Leadership (UNL). The leadership coordinated the action and sustained the popular uprising for a long time. They maintained the attitude toward the PLO of “the PLO is our only and legitimate representative,” which generated popular support of the leadership and secured its legitimacy.
