January, 2001

The Al-Aqsa Intifada and Israel's Internal Status

Salah Salem Zarnouqa

The Al-Aqsa Intifada, or uprising, can be interpreted as the outcome of the many contradictions present in the Israeli state and society. The quick spread of the intifada, and the involvement of Israeli Arabs, has brought about a new political equation. Part of this equation is the unprecedented international sympathy this intifada has roused and the anger it has stirred up throughout the Arab world. This naturally has a significant affect within Israel, exacerbating existing problems and causing new ones.
The Al-Aqsa Intifada has created a sense of fear inside Israel, affecting the political and social powers in the country on all levels. Yet, while these powers may be feeling the same fear, they differ considerably over methods of stopping the intifada, means of dealing with Israeli Arabs and the future of the settlement process.


On the social level, settlers are living in a constant state of fear, even though the Israeli authorities provide them with weapons and the necessary training to confront the Palestinians. The authorities are able to take advantage of the settlers' religious extremism, convincing them that the authorities are advocators of a religious state of Israel and that they are the main targets of the intifada. The settlers are thereby persuaded of the benefits of the separation plan, which would definitely change their social and economic conditions. The issue of settlements is thus becoming an important factor for any future settlement.


At the same time, the future of Israeli Arabs depends on the nature of the relationship between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the occupied territories. In this regard, the intifada has proven the futility of using force to merge Israeli Arabs into Israeli society or to impose a deficient settlement plan.


On the political level, the intifada has contributed to increasing the contradictions present between Israel's political powers. It has highlighted the failure of former prime minister Ehud Barak's policies and at the same time strengthened the position of both the extreme right wing and Israeli Arabs inside the Knesset.
The intifada can thus be seen to have forced a stage of radical change within Israel that is sure to impact greatly on the future of both the Israelis and Palestinians.