The Palestinian Resistance Movement; Its Historical Roots, Challenges, and the Impact of the Oslo Accords

The Palestinian resistance movement represents a significant chapter in the struggle for self-determination and liberation from Israeli occupation. Contrary to the perception that Palestinian resistance has been a consistent and unified effort, the reality is that it has undergone various transformations influenced by historical, political, and social factors. The First Intifada, which began in 1987, marked a pivotal moment in this struggle, igniting widespread protests against Israeli military presence and policies. This uprising was not merely a spontaneous reaction; it was fueled by a culmination of grievances, including the oppressive actions of the Israeli regime, the disillusionment of Palestinians with their leadership, and the inspirational impact of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

The formation of the Palestinian resistance movement involved the emergence of several key organizations, including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Hamas, and various other factions, each with distinct ideologies and methods. However, a significant challenge has been the lack of unity among these groups, which has often hindered their collective effectiveness. The Oslo Accords, signed in 1993, aimed to establish a framework for peace and autonomy but ultimately fell short of addressing the core issues faced by Palestinians, leading to further discontent and resistance. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the events that led to the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement, the ideological underpinnings of its various factions, and the implications of the Oslo Accords on the Palestinian struggle.

An Overview of the Formation of the Palestinian Resistance Movement and Its Branches

It is frequently assumed that the method of resistance and struggle of Palestinians has been consistent since the beginning of the Zionist regime until today, and that they have had a coherent system for resistance since the occupation of their country. However, this is not the case. The Palestinian resistance movement has gone through a complex path to reach its current state.

The formation of the Palestinian resistance movement and the establishment of popular resistance groups in Palestine dates back to the First Intifada. Several intifadas have occurred throughout history, all of which were short-lived and quickly suppressed, but the intifada of 1987 was particularly significant and pivotal, referred to as the “First Intifada.” A movement that is rapid and powerful is called an intifada. However, revolutionaries around the world refer to the civilian protests of Palestinians against Israel as an intifada. The intifada was a movement in which Palestinian people stood against armed Israeli soldiers with stones.

Throughout the history of the occupation of Palestine, various parties and popular groups have formed, each trying to liberate Palestine with their own ideologies and methods. However, the main problem has been the lack of unity among them. Prominent parties that emerged alongside the Palestinian resistance movement include the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Fatah Movement, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Democratic Front, Popular Resistance Committees, and Hamas. Some of these organizations, like the PLO, underwent changes in their resistance-oriented approaches after the formation of the resistance front, while others, like Hamas, remained loyal to their ideals of liberating Palestine.

In the meantime, an agreement known as “Oslo” was established between the PLO and Israel to form an autonomous government in Palestine. What was the content of this agreement? Who benefited from the Oslo Accords? What were the outcomes of Oslo? Was the establishment of the Palestinian autonomous government a positive step toward independence and freedom for Palestine? Did the Palestinian Authority manage to revive the lost rights of Palestinians? These questions will be addressed in this article.

The First Intifada

Various factors contributed to the start of the First Intifada [1] and the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement. The confrontation between Palestinian fighters and Israeli soldiers, along with the martyrdom of four fighters in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in southern Gaza, ignited the anger of people. On the other hand, the Jerusalem police allowed a Jewish group called the “Temple Mount Guardians” to hold their religious ceremony in Jerusalem. Muslims strongly resisted, resulting in dozens of injuries among them, and the Jews fled the scene. The martyrdom of a Palestinian teacher and the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz in Palestine led to protests by Palestinians. The Israeli military commander issued an expulsion order for the spiritual leader of Islamic Jihad, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Awda. This situation led to the expansion of protests to other areas, including a suicide attack by this group in northern Tel Aviv. These events gradually laid the groundwork for the uprising of the intifada.

Several Palestinian workers were run over by an Israeli truck, resulting in the martyrdom of several Palestinians. The next day, during the funeral of their martyrs, Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli army’s headquarters in Jabalia. Zionists fired warning shots, and Palestinians responded with Molotov cocktails and stones. The official start of the intifada was marked from this point and spread from city to city.

Triggering Factors of the Intifada

Several factors were influential in the emergence of the intifada in Palestine and the subsequent formation of the Palestinian resistance movement, including:

–The Islamic Revolution in Iran

One of the main reasons for the start of the intifada was the Islamic Revolution in Iran [2]. Palestinian people were inspired by the unity and power of the Shiites in Iran during the Revolution. The Iranian Revolution excited them and revived hope in their hearts. They believed that even superpowers could be defeated, and the power of Islam invigorated them, providing them with a model for struggle.

-Disillusionment of Palestinians with their Leaders

Palestinians had become disillusioned with their leaders. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had always been a source of support and hope for the people, had undergone significant changes. The PLO transformed from an organization of defense and struggle into a passive and conservative entity that, in its quest for identity and respect, lost its fighting spirit and ideals due to fear of judgment and labeling by Western politicians as extremists and terrorists.

Palestinians were tired of the repetitive and fruitless policies of their leaders. These policies often relied on a single tactic, shifting the focus of struggles outside of Palestine and its surrounding areas, like Jordan or Lebanon. Each of these governments pursued new policies based on their own interests, leaving Palestinians without support. Palestinians realized that the solution to their pain lay within their own country, not outside of it.

–Repressive Policies of the Zionist Regime

The actions of Israel had exhausted the patience of Palestinians and served as a catalyst for the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement. Killings, looting, mass arrests, torture, and humiliation convinced Palestinians to stand up against oppression and prepared them for a popular uprising.

-Disillusionment with Support from Other Governments

They realized that other countries, especially Arab states, had abandoned them. After a period of standing by Palestine and experiencing repeated failures, Arab countries lost the will to continue supporting Palestine. They resorted to mere slogans, leading to the necessity of forming the Palestinian resistance movement. Palestinians understood that they needed to abandon Arab nationalism [3] and, like the Iranians, rely on a firm belief in Islam and armed struggle from within, rather than misguided racial and tribal ideologies.

The Essence of the Intifada

During years of suffering and repression, Palestinian people learned that the key to their resistance and victory lay in their Islamic essence, not elsewhere. Thus, inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran, they entered the field of revolution and initiated a popular intifada. Previously, people were merely tools in the hands of their leaders, but now they emerged from the shadows, gaining revolutionary and Islamic zeal, and courageously demanded their rights.

The nature of the struggle had changed. In previous struggles, only guerrilla and operational forces entered the field, but now a popular uprising had emerged, with men, women, children, youth, and the elderly fighting with an unusual weapon: stones against bullets. Interestingly, life and death no longer mattered to them; their Islamic beliefs had fortified them against fear, and they saw honorable life in struggle. The essence of this struggle was the knowledge and awareness of the people, a deep understanding that united and mobilized them. This divine movement, having severed hope from anything other than God, saw the path to salvation in returning to themselves and fighting for an Islamic civilization, leading to the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement.

Palestinian Popular Resistance Groups

Throughout the history of the occupation of Palestine, numerous popular groups have attempted to liberate Palestine from Israeli control. However, what is more important than the sheer number of these groups on the path to victory is the unity and solidarity among them. Key and influential parties that emerged with the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement include the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), commonly known as “PLO.” The PLO has several sub-groups, primarily affiliated with it, but these groups sometimes operate independently, leading to differences in their structure and activities.

-Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Arab leaders established the PLO in 1964 at an Arab League conference. They feared being sidelined in the Middle East and facing international failure. Thus, they decided to expand their political influence over Palestinian groups, aiming to control the Middle East conflict behind the scenes according to their interests. They also sought to prevent the emergence of independent Palestinian groups that might contradict the desires and interests of Arab leaders.

In 1974, the PLO achieved significant independence, gaining recognition at the United Nations and becoming an observer in international organizations. This led to a major internal transformation within the PLO. The PLO, having distanced itself from its original identity, became a symbolic organization. Some Palestinian elites, especially after the defeat of the Arab army by Israel in 1948, 1956, and 1967, rejected the leadership of the PLO, strongly criticizing its conservative policies toward the West and seeking independence.

-Fatah Movement

One of the most important military organizations in the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement is the “Fatah” or Palestinian National Liberation Movement. Fatah is the most significant group within the PLO, led by Yasser Arafat. They believed they should take the lead in liberating Palestine. Fatah has a nationalist and somewhat socialist approach, seeking to liberate Palestine through guerrilla warfare and revolutionary uprisings, relying on the support of Arab states and foreign allies.

-Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is a political and military organization established to liberate Palestine through guerrilla warfare and is the second-largest group within the PLO. This group’s hardline positions oppose those of Fatah and are against moderation. Its military wing, known as the “Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades,” was formed after the martyrdom of the front’s secretary-general. Both Muslims and Christians are present in this front, and the religious diversity among its members is notable. This group is known for its ideological stance on Arab nationalism, socialism, and anti-imperialism.

-Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Three Palestinian students formed the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group [4] in Egypt during the 1970s amid the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement. This movement adopted armed struggle as its method to destroy Israel, executing numerous attacks in the form of guerrilla warfare by the Quds Brigades and martyrdom operations by special forces. Military operations conducted by the Quds Brigades of Islamic Jihad and the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas were factors leading to Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2008. This group was closer to Hamas than others and shared many commonalities with it. They were staunchly opposed to peace negotiations and the Oslo Accords.

-Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine

This group split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine during the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement. This separation was due to differences in prioritizing ideological and political activities over armed struggle. The Democratic Front was recognized as an intellectual group seeking to create a Palestinian society where Arabs and Jews could live together without conflict and respect each other. The Democratic Front was strongly opposed to the rise of extremists and military conflicts, with most of its members residing in Syria.

-Popular Resistance Committees

In the year 2000, a collection of military and paramilitary groups of Palestinians residing in Gaza and the West Bank announced their existence. Most of its members were former members of Fatah and included the “Salah al-Din” and “al-Nasser” brigades.

-Hamas

One of the Islamic movements that emerged with the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement is “Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya” or Hamas. Hamas [5] was established in 1987 to liberate the occupied territories of Palestine. This movement was formed simultaneously with the start of the First Intifada in Palestine, led by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and some members of the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2005, Hamas became the first Islam-oriented group in the Arab world to win elections in Palestine and entered the political arena. Two years later, it managed to defeat Fatah and take political control of the Gaza Strip. The structure of Hamas is similar to that of the Muslim Brotherhood, based on Islamic principles, councils, leadership derived from public allegiance, and adherence to leadership. The political bureau, military office, and propaganda office are the three main bodies that guide Hamas’s activities. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades form the military wing of this movement. A significant feature of Hamas is its strong emphasis on Islam and the belief that Jerusalem belongs to the entire Islamic community.

Hamas seeks to establish an Islamic state; since an Islamic state cannot be formed without divine and Islamic upbringing of families, the education of families and society is a priority for Hamas. Initially, Hamas did not decide to engage in armed struggle, but later it entered into armed actions against Israel. Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah have always fought side by side against the enemy forces.

In the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Hamas became the ruling party of the Palestinian Legislative Council. In this context, the position of Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority was given to one of the Hamas leaders named Ismail Haniyeh. Prior to this event, the European Union, the United States, and the Arab League had been providing financial support to the Palestinian Authority. After this event, they conditioned their continued support on changes to certain clauses of Hamas’s charter. Hamas rejected this proposal and sought to secure the financial needs of the government through its traditional allies.

The Oslo Accords

In 1993, an agreement known as the “Oslo Accords” was signed between the PLO and Israel in Washington. The official name of the Oslo Accords is “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements.” Since the secret negotiations for this agreement took place in Oslo, Norway, it was named the Oslo Accords.

The result of this agreement was the establishment of a temporary administrative body called the “Palestinian Authority.” The Oslo Accords were intended to last for five years and then transition into a permanent agreement. The permanent agreement was supposed to address issues related to Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, Israeli settlements, and security matters. The Oslo Accords aimed to set aside armed resistance against Israel and end the conflict between the PLO and Israel, which is why many Palestinians called for the cancellation of this agreement. According to this agreement, both parties were to recognize each other, Israel was to gradually withdraw from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, peace principles were to be realized, and then an autonomous authority would be established in Palestine.

Unfortunately, this agreement did not yield equal results for both parties. Palestinians received an autonomous government controlling less than 80% of the West Bank and less than 2% of Palestinian territories. The unemployment rate among its workforce reached about 50%, and severe security measures were imposed by Israel on Palestinian workers. Additionally, the income of each Palestinian decreased by about 30%.

The Oslo Accords approved the establishment of the Palestinian Authority as a temporary administrative body. This autonomous government was supposed to transition into an “independent Palestinian state” after five years. Unfortunately, Zionists, as has been the case throughout history, did not adhere to their commitments; more Palestinian lands were confiscated, and settlement expansion reached a point where it seemed as if a settler state had been established. Statistics show that the number of settlers has increased by about 240% from before the Oslo Accords in 1993 to the present.

The Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian Authority is a political entity responsible for administering the autonomous Palestinian areas in Gaza and the West Bank. As mentioned, this entity was established after the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement and following the Oslo Accords, with the goal of creating an independent and autonomous state for Palestinians.

The Palestinian Authority consists of various institutions, including government, council, executive, and judicial bodies. However, its power and influence in the region are affected by various factors; for example, the activities of the council have faced serious challenges due to internal conflicts among resistance groups. The financial and economic resources of the Palestinian Authority come from several sources, including international aid from various countries and organizations like the European Union and the United States, financial support from Arab countries, taxes from businesses and citizens, and natural resources related to agriculture, etc. However, Western governments’ aid was halted due to Hamas and the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement.

There are differing opinions regarding the Palestinian Authority. Some believe that this entity lacks the necessary effectiveness in the current situation and acts more as a symbolic or political representative. The tension between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority is one of the significant obstacles to successful agreements. Hamas governs in the Gaza Strip and usually takes a harder stance compared to the Palestinian Authority. This has caused division and confusion among Palestinians.

Decades have passed since the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement and the establishment of this entity, yet its officials, instead of standing with their people, have succumbed to any service to the United States and Israel for the sake of power and maintaining their positions, opposing the national movements of Palestinians. This entity has repeatedly betrayed Palestinian people, attacked them, handed over resistance fighters to Israel, and confronted resistance groups, especially Hamas. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have not remained silent; they have revealed the behind-the-scenes issues of the Oslo Accords, and the rift between them and the Palestinian Authority has deepened to the point of confrontation. Thus, the government that initially aimed to bring peace and tranquility to its people and became a beacon of hope for Palestinians after the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement has turned into a tool for the silent oppression of people. They have effectively accepted the laws that have turned people into second-class citizens. In reality, they not only accepted oppression but also legitimized it.

A Journey Through the Reality of the Resistance Movement 

The path to the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement is not merely a historical story to read to our children at bedtime or just a period in history to teach in the classroom; it is not even an exciting epic event to use as a basis for temporary slogans and emotions. The formation of the Palestinian resistance movement represents the evolution of the front of truth against falsehood and the battle of good against evil, encompassing thousands of trials, errors, defeats, and victories. All those who seek to join the army of the Imam of the End Times must recognize the strengths and weaknesses of this movement, identify the obstacles to its progress, find ways to strengthen it, and understand the roots of its failures and successes.

The battle between god and evil began with the creation of humanity and will continue until the establishment of a new divine civilization by the awaited Savior. The formation of the Palestinian resistance movement is just a part of this ongoing journey.

Before the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement, Palestinian people had lost their confidence, relied on Arab governments, and were more entangled in national and ethnic thoughts than adorned with divine and spiritual goals. This stance led to their defeat until the Islamic Revolution in Iran came as an unparalleled model for liberation and resistance. The inspiration drawn from the Iranian Revolution led to the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement, and they, instead of relying on their own power and hoping for Arab governments, placed their trust in God and drew their strength from the ideals of Islam. This is a fundamental and decisive issue for all those who wish to be effective in the battle between truth and falsehood.

The Islamic Revolution in Iran, as a revolution that prepares for the advent of the Promised Savior, demonstrated to everyone that with the power of faith, superpowers can be defeated, provided that our souls are not ensnared by impurities and that we recognize the various attacks of Satan and the ways to counter him.

Satan always infiltrates the army of truth and sows the seeds of discord and division among the soldiers of the front of truth. Each of the soldiers who has engaged less in spiritual self-improvement has distanced themselves more from the ethical principles and foundations of the divine establishment, becoming more prone to self-opinion and egoism, refusing to yield from their worldly positions, leading to fragmentation and weakening of the army of truth, just like the splits that occurred after the formation of the Palestinian resistance movement.

Satan’s greed for the downfall of the front of truth is immense, and the moral and educational weaknesses of the soldiers of the front of truth are his points of infiltration and attack, just like the PLO, which was once a means of salvation for the resistance front but quickly became enamored with fame, reputation, and power, abandoning the ideals of the Palestinian freedom fighters. An organization that was at the forefront of the battle against Satan became a slave to Satan and directed the movement towards the goals of Satan. The autonomous government, which was supposed to be a safe haven for the fighters and support the oppressed, has, under the guise of legitimacy, engaged in the silent oppression of the Palestinian freedom fighters.

Achieving a new global civilization and the advent of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his advent) will not occur through miracles and divine assistance. God has placed this duty on the shoulders of the people of the earth. Humans must develop the skills for internal struggle against the ego self and Satan, and then gain the power for external struggle against the army of Satan. This external struggle requires a strong and cohesive organization, just like the alliance formed between the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Hamas of Palestine, and Hezbollah of Lebanon, but this is not enough; it must be much broader and stronger. No great uprising or revolution can succeed without a cohesive organization and organized soldiers. The problem is that the freedom fighters of the world are either engaged in individual asceticism or have abandoned the cultivation and refinement of the self, focusing solely on jihad. Until individuals reach an understanding of how to establish a new divine civilization and strive to acquire both internal and external skills, we will continue to suffer on this earth and witness the rampant actions of Satan and his army in the world.

Conclusion

The Palestinian resistance movement has emerged as a complex and multifaceted response to decades of occupation and oppression. Its formation was catalyzed by significant historical events, particularly the First Intifada, which galvanized the Palestinian populace and led to the establishment of various resistance groups. Despite the aspirations for unity and liberation, the movement has faced numerous challenges, including internal divisions and the impact of external agreements like the Oslo Accords. These accords, intended to pave the way for Palestinian autonomy, ultimately failed to deliver meaningful rights or independence, exacerbating frustrations among Palestinians.

The ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights underscores the necessity for unity among resistance factions and a reevaluation of strategies to achieve their goals. The lessons learned from the past highlight the importance of grassroots mobilization and the need for a cohesive approach to resistance. As Palestinian people continue to seek justice and self-determination, the evolution of their resistance movement remains a testament to their resilience and unwavering commitment to their cause. The journey of the Palestinian resistance movement is far from over, and its future will depend on the ability to adapt, unite, and persist in the face of ongoing challenges.

References

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[2]. Netanyahu, Benjamin. A Place in the Sun. U.S.: FoliBiblio,1996.

[3]. Sa’idi, Zamil. Palestinian National Salvation Front. Tehran: Political and International Studies Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (1991): 126.

[4]. Karimi, Mohammad. Behind the Veil of Peace. Tehran: Kayhan. (2001): 75.

[5]. Khosroshahi, Seyyed Hadi. Israel: The Base of Imperialism and Islamic Movements in Palestine. Tehran: Islamic Culture Publishing Office. (1991): 150.