Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: Attempts at a solution, 1974–95 - 2 The Palestinian issue:…
Full specification wording
Option P5: Key topic 3: Attempts at a solution, 1974–95 - 2 The Palestinian issue: The Israeli occupied territories and the First Palestinian Intifada (1987–93).
The First Palestinian Intifada (1987–93) was a spontaneous grassroots uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The First Palestinian Intifada (1987–93) was a spontaneous grassroots uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Triggered by a traffic incident in Jabalia refugee camp, it reflected deep-seated Palestinian frustration over military occupation, land confiscations, and poor living conditions. The uprising involved mass boycotts, strikes, and stone-throwing youths confronting heavily armed Israeli soldiers. This stark David-and-Goliath imagery shifted international sympathy towards the Palestinians. The Intifada forced Israel to recognise that the status quo was unsustainable and pressured the PLO to assert leadership, ultimately paving the way for the 1993 Oslo Accords.
What earns the marks
- Identify the causes of the First Intifada, including long-term frustration with Israeli occupation and the immediate trigger in December 1987.
- Describe the methods used by Palestinians, such as strikes, boycotts, and stone-throwing.
- Explain the Israeli response, including the 'Iron Fist' policy and the use of military force.
- Analyse the consequences of the Intifada, noting its role in shifting international opinion and leading to the Oslo Accords.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the First Intifada with the Second Intifada.
Put it right: Ensure you focus on the 1987-93 uprising, which was characterised by stone-throwing and civil disobedience, rather than the more militarised Second Intifada of 2000.
Stating the PLO started the Intifada.
Put it right: Note that the uprising was initially a spontaneous grassroots movement, which the PLO later tried to direct.
Ignoring the role of the occupied territories.
Put it right: Explicitly link the uprising to the specific conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip under Israeli military rule.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase 'grassroots uprising' to demonstrate an understanding of how the Intifada began without formal PLO leadership.
- When evaluating consequences, link the visual impact of the Intifada on global television to increased international pressure on Israel.
- Connect the end of the Intifada directly to the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993 to show chronological understanding.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P5: Key topic 3: Attempts at a solution, 1974–95 - 2 The Palestinian issue: The Israeli occupied territories and the First Palestinian Intifada (1987–93). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which event is widely recognised as the immediate trigger for the outbreak of the First Palestinian Intifada in December 1987?
Listen
The First Palestinian Intifada (1987–93) was a spontaneous grassroots uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Triggered by a traffic incident in Jabalia refugee camp, it reflected deep-seated Palestinian frustration over military occupation, land confiscations, and poor living conditions. The uprising involved mass boycotts, strikes, and stone-throwing youths confronting heavily armed Israeli soldiers. This stark David-and-Goliath imagery shifted international sympathy towards the Palestinians. The Intifada forced Israel to recognise that the status quo was unsustainable and pressured the PLO to assert leadership, ultimately paving the way for the 1993 Oslo Accords. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify the causes of the First Intifada, including long-term frustration with Israeli occupation and the immediate trigger in December 1987. Describe the methods used by Palestinians, such as strikes, boycotts, and stone-throwing. Explain the Israeli response, including the 'Iron Fist' policy and the use of military force. Analyse the consequences of the Intifada, noting its role in shifting international opinion and leading to the Oslo Accords. A common slip: Confusing the First Intifada with the Second Intifada. Instead, Ensure you focus on the 1987-93 uprising, which was characterised by stone-throwing and civil disobedience, rather than the more militarised Second Intifada of 2000. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'grassroots uprising' to demonstrate an understanding of how the Intifada began without formal PLO leadership.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
First Palestinian Intifada
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occupied territories
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grassroots uprising
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Oslo Accords
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See every definition
- First Palestinian Intifada
- A spontaneous grassroots uprising against Israeli rule in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip between 1987 and 1993.
- occupied territories
- The West Bank and Gaza Strip, where Palestinians lived under Israeli military rule and faced land confiscations and poor living conditions.
- grassroots uprising
- A movement that began spontaneously without formal PLO leadership, involving mass boycotts, strikes and stone-throwing youths.
- Oslo Accords
- The 1993 agreement that the Intifada paved the way for, after pressure on the PLO to assert leadership.
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