What mistakes do students make with The use of terrorism, Israel’s response and…?

Confusing the events of Black September (the 1970 expulsion from Jordan) with the Black September organisation (the group behind the 1972 Munich attack). Clearly distinguish between the 1970 conflict in Jordan and the terrorist group named after that event. Stating that the PLO was expelled from Lebanon in 1970. The PLO was expelled from Jordan in 1970 and relocated to Lebanon. Assuming international attitudes were entirely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause after these events. While awareness increased, the use of terrorism was heavily condemned globally.

What are the exam tips for The use of terrorism, Israel’s response and… in History Pearson Edexcel GCSE?

Link the failure of conventional Arab armies in 1967 to the rise of Palestinian terrorism as an alternative strategy. Be precise with dates and locations: Dawson's Field (Jordan, 1970), Munich (West Germany, 1972). When discussing international attitudes, ensure you balance the increased awareness of the Palestinian issue with the condemnation of terrorist methods.

Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History

Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016

Key topic 2: The escalating conflict, 1964–73 - 2 Aftermath of the 1967…

Full specification wording

Option P5: Key topic 2: The escalating conflict, 1964–73 - 2 Aftermath of the 1967 war: The use of terrorism, Israel’s response and international attitudes towards the Palestine issue: the PFLP airplane hijacks of 1970; Black September and the Munich Olympics. The expulsion of the PLO from Jordan (1970).

Frustrated by Arab military defeats, Palestinian groups turned to international terrorism to highlight their cause.

Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on 24 September 2026.

Point 3 of 3

Study notes

From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

The idea

What earns the marks

Describe the PFLP airplane hijackings to Dawson's Field in 1970 as a tactic to gain international attention.
Explain the events of 'Black September' (1970), where King Hussein used the Jordanian army to expel the PLO to Lebanon.
Detail the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where the Black September group killed 11 Israeli athletes.
Outline Israel's response, including Operation Wrath of God (targeted assassinations) and military strikes on PLO bases.
Discuss how these terrorist acts shifted international attitudes, bringing global awareness to the Palestinian cause but also widespread condemnation.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

Confusing the events of Black September (the 1970 expulsion from Jordan) with the Black September organisation (the group behind the 1972 Munich attack).
Put it right: Clearly distinguish between the 1970 conflict in Jordan and the terrorist group named after that event.
Stating that the PLO was expelled from Lebanon in 1970.
Put it right: The PLO was expelled from Jordan in 1970 and relocated to Lebanon.
Assuming international attitudes were entirely sympathetic to the Palestinian cause after these events.
Put it right: While awareness increased, the use of terrorism was heavily condemned globally.

Exam tips

Link the failure of conventional Arab armies in 1967 to the rise of Palestinian terrorism as an alternative strategy.
Be precise with dates and locations: Dawson's Field (Jordan, 1970), Munich (West Germany, 1972).
When discussing international attitudes, ensure you balance the increased awareness of the Palestinian issue with the condemnation of terrorist methods.

Try the lesson

The start of the Option P5: Key topic 2: The escalating conflict, 1964–73 - 2 Aftermath of the 1967 war: The use of terrorism, Israel’s response and international attitudes towards the Palestine issue: the PFLP airplane hijacks of 1970; Black September and the Munich Olympics. The expulsion of the PLO from Jordan (1970). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

Have a go first

What happened during the Munich Olympics in 1972?

Tip: press 1 to 4 to choose

Listen

Frustrated by Arab military defeats, Palestinian groups turned to international terrorism to highlight their cause. In 1970, the PFLP hijacked multiple international airliners to Dawson's Field in Jordan, blowing them up. This challenged King Hussein's authority, leading to the violent expulsion of the PLO from Jordan in 1970, known as 'Black September'. The PLO relocated to Lebanon. In 1972, the Black September splinter group took Israeli athletes hostage at the Munich Olympics, resulting in the deaths of 11 Israelis. Israel responded with targeted assassinations (Operation Wrath of God) and airstrikes. These events forced the international community to recognise the Palestinian issue, though terrorism drew widespread condemnation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describe the PFLP airplane hijackings to Dawson's Field in 1970 as a tactic to gain international attention. Explain the events of 'Black September' (1970), where King Hussein used the Jordanian army to expel the PLO to Lebanon. Detail the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, where the Black September group killed 11 Israeli athletes. Outline Israel's response, including Operation Wrath of God (targeted assassinations) and military strikes on PLO bases. A common slip: Confusing the events of Black September (the 1970 expulsion from Jordan) with the Black September organisation (the group behind the 1972 Munich attack). Instead, Clearly distinguish between the 1970 conflict in Jordan and the terrorist group named after that event. Exam tip: Link the failure of conventional Arab armies in 1967 to the rise of Palestinian terrorism as an alternative strategy.

See it

A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box reads 'Frustration at Arab military defeats' and points to 'PFLP airplane hijacks, Dawson's Field, 1970'. That points to 'Challenged King Hussein's authority', which points to 'Black September 1970: PLO expelled from Jordan'. This box branches into two: 'PLO relocated to Lebanon' and 'Black September group formed'. The latter points to 'Munich Olympics hostage-taking, 1972', which branches into three outcomes: 'Israel's response: Operation Wrath of God and airstrikes', 'International awareness of the Palestinian issue' and 'Widespread condemnation of terrorism'. — A sequence showing how frustration at Arab defeats led to the PFLP hijacks, the expulsion of the PLO from Jordan, the Munich attack and its consequences.

Label the diagram

Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A flowchart running from top to bottom. The first box reads 'Frustration at Arab military defeats' and points to 'PFLP airplane hijacks, Dawson's Field, 1970'. That points to 'Challenged King Hussein's authority', which points to 'Black September 1970: PLO expelled from Jordan'. This box branches into two: 'PLO relocated to Lebanon' and 'Black September group formed'. The latter points to 'Munich Olympics hostage-taking, 1972', which branches into three outcomes: 'Israel's response: Operation Wrath of God and airstrikes', 'International awareness of the Palestinian issue' and 'Widespread condemnation of terrorism'.

1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3

0 of 3 labelled

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