Discuss the role of the First Intifada in 1987 in shaping the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The First Intifada in 1987 significantly intensified the Arab-Israeli conflict and led to a shift in international perception and policy towards the issue.

The First Intifada, which began in December 1987, was a mass uprising by Palestinians against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This event played a crucial role in shaping the Arab-Israeli conflict, as it marked a significant escalation in the struggle and brought the issue to the forefront of international attention.

Prior to the Intifada, the conflict was largely viewed as a geopolitical dispute between Israel and neighbouring Arab states. However, the Intifada highlighted the plight of the Palestinians living under Israeli occupation and shifted the focus of the conflict to the issue of Palestinian self-determination. This was a significant change, as it reframed the conflict from a regional dispute to a national struggle for independence.

The Intifada was characterised by widespread civil disobedience, strikes, boycotts, and demonstrations, as well as violent confrontations with Israeli forces. The use of stone-throwing by Palestinian youths against heavily armed Israeli soldiers became a powerful symbol of the struggle, and images of these confrontations were broadcast around the world. This had a profound impact on international perceptions of the conflict, and led to increased sympathy for the Palestinian cause.

The Intifada also led to significant political changes. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), which had previously been seen as a terrorist organisation by many Western countries, gained legitimacy as the representative of the Palestinian people. This was largely due to the PLO's endorsement of a two-state solution to the conflict in 1988, which was seen as a major concession. The Intifada also led to the creation of Hamas, a militant Islamist group that rejected the PLO's conciliatory stance and advocated for the complete liberation of Palestine.

The First Intifada also had a significant impact on Israeli society and politics. The violence of the uprising and the harsh measures used by the Israeli military to suppress it led to a polarisation of Israeli society, with some supporting a hardline approach and others advocating for negotiations and compromise. This division continues to shape Israeli politics today.

In conclusion, the First Intifada played a crucial role in shaping the Arab-Israeli conflict. It brought the issue of Palestinian self-determination to the forefront of the conflict, shifted international perceptions and policy, and led to significant political changes both within Palestine and Israel. The effects of the Intifada continue to