This edited volume presents a historical background of the occupation and its nature and ramifications to Palestinian nationalism. Its coverage also embraces the catalysts for and the revolutionary transformation of the Palestinian uprising and it includes an interim assessment of the achievement and failures of the Intifada. By relying on first-hand original Arabic and Hebrew sources, the book provides a comprehensive survey and analysis of the Palestinian uprising. This book's perspective is unusual in that many of its contributors have been actual participants in the uprising as well as its professional observers. Part 1 presents the setting and conditions that gave rise to the uprising, with an analysis of the nature of the occupation, a presentation of the colonial economic policies imposed by the Israelis and the development of the Palestinian political consciousness, and an analysis of the infrastructure of the resistance. Part 11 looks at the participants of the uprising from several different perspectives: refugee camps, villages, the role of women, the working class, petite bourgeoisie, religion, revolution, and the PLO.
Part 111 examines the Intifada's implications on the Arab world, the United States, and the European community. Part 1V examines the impact on the protagonists, Israel and the Palestinians. The conclusion takes a look at prospects for the future. This book should interest students and scholars of Middle East/Israeli-Arab relations.