A Palestinian youth holds up Molotov cocktail and stones during riots in Ramallah after Israeli right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque. AFP
A Palestinian youth holds up Molotov cocktail and stones during riots in Ramallah after Israeli right-wing opposition leader Ariel Sharon’s visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque. AFP

2000 - The Second Intifada

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Updated 19 April 2025
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2000 - The Second Intifada

2000 - The Second Intifada
  • The uprising reversed the gains of the grassroots First Intifada and relieved the international community of its obligations to help end the occupation of Palestine

AMMAN: The Second Palestinian Intifada, also known as the Al-Aqsa Intifada, began in late September 2000, following the collapse of the Camp David Summit and a controversial visit by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon to the Haram Al-Sharif, the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Unlike the largely nonviolent First Intifada, this uprising marked a significant turn toward militarization, resulting in mistakes and challenges that have profoundly shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ever since. 

During the First Intifada, Palestinians employed peaceful grassroots strategies that garnered global sympathy and put pressure on Israel diplomatically. 

In contrast, the militarized tactics of the Second Intifada — including suicide bombings and attacks on Israeli civilians — alienated many international supporters and reinforced negative stereotypes of Palestinians as the perpetrators of violence. 

This shift undermined the moral high ground previously held by Palestinians and allowed Israel to frame its own actions as acts of self-defense against terrorism, rather than as an occupying force suppressing a people’s right to self-determination. 

Internal divisions within the Palestinian leadership compounded the challenges. The Palestinian Authority, under Yasser Arafat, struggled to maintain control as militant factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, gained influence. These groups operated independently, often clashing with the PA’s objectives and undermining its authority. 

How we wrote it




Arab News’ front page covered clashes erupting the day of Ariel Sharon’s Al-Aqsa visit, igniting the Second Intifada.

The lack of a unified strategy not only weakened the Palestinian cause but also emboldened Israel to exploit the divisions. The inability of the PA to present a cohesive front further eroded its legitimacy among Palestinians, many of whom felt betrayed by what they perceived as corruption and ineffectiveness within their own leadership. The popular support for armed attacks meant that even young activists from the more moderate centrist ruling party, Fatah, were motivated to carry out some assaults against Israeli soldiers. 

Arafat’s ambiguous stance on armed resistance — neither fully endorsing nor condemning it — led to confusion and a lack of direction. This ambiguity allowed Israel to accuse the PA of complicity in the violence, and justify military operations that devastated Palestinian infrastructure and deepened the occupation. 

The destruction of key public institutions, including schools, hospitals and police stations, left Palestinian society in disarray, with long-term repercussions still felt today. 

It is estimated the violence resulted in the deaths of more than 6,000 Palestinian and more than 1,000 Israeli combatants and civilians. According to the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, of the 6,371 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the 10 years from 2000 to 2010, at least 2,996, including 1,317 minors, were noncombatants. Of the 1,083 Israelis killed, 741 were civilians. 

From an economic perspective, the Second Intifada was a catastrophe. The Israeli military response included widespread closures and curfews, and the destruction of infrastructure, crippling the Palestinian economy. Unemployment and poverty rates soared, creating a humanitarian crisis that further fueled resentment and despair. 

The economic devastation not only hurt Palestinian livelihoods but weakened the ability of the PA to govern effectively, as it became increasingly reliant on foreign aid to sustain basic services. 

Key Dates

  • 1

    Camp David Summit brings together US President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat but ends without agreement. It was an attempt to continue negotiations on the Middle East peace process and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    Timeline Image July 11-25, 2000

  • 2

    Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visits Al-Aqsa Mosque, triggering the Second Intifada. Israel reoccupies the Palestinian territories amid fighting between the Palestinian resistance and Israeli army.

  • 3

    Sharon takes office as prime minister.

  • 4

    Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announces the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for Israel to withdraw from occupied territories in return for Arab recognition of Israel’s right to exist. It is adopted by the Arab League.

    Timeline Image March 28, 2002

  • 5

    Israel begins construction of a wall to create a barrier separating the West Bank.

    Timeline Image June 16, 2002

  • 6

    Israeli parliament approves a Gaza disengagement plan proposed by Sharon.

  • 7

    Mahmoud Abbas secures landslide victory in Palestinian Authority presidential election after death of Arafat. He pledges to end the occupation and make peace.

  • 8

    Abbas meets Sharon, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for the first time since becoming president. They declare a truce.

    Timeline Image Feb. 8, 2005

  • 9

    Israeli military forces leave Gaza after 38 years of occupation. Two years later, Israel imposes a land, air and sea blockade that continues to this day.

While the First Intifada successfully leveraged media coverage to highlight the plight of Palestinians under occupation, the focus of the Second Intifada on violent resistance shifted the narrative. Western media often portrayed Palestinians as aggressors, overshadowing legitimate grievances about occupation, settlement expansions and human rights abuses. This hindered efforts to gain support for international pressure on Israel to change its policies. 

The Second Intifada also highlighted a generational divide within Palestinian society. Younger Palestinians, disillusioned by the Oslo Accords and the lack of tangible progress, were more inclined toward armed resistance. 

Meanwhile, illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank proliferated during this period, a clear and highly visible sign that Israeli authorities had no intention of ever ending the occupation of Palestine. 

In contrast, older generations who had witnessed the success of nonviolent strategies during the First Intifada were skeptical of a more militarized approach. This generational rift weakened the cohesion of the Palestinian struggle, making it more difficult to mobilize unified action. 

The Second Intifada provided Israel with an opportunity to tighten its grip on the occupied territories. Under the guise of combating terrorism, Israeli authorities expanded settlements, constructed the 712-kilometer-long separation wall, and implemented policies that further fragmented Palestinian communities. 

The wall, in particular, has had a lasting impact, serving to effectively annex large swaths of Palestinian land and render the prospect of a contiguous Palestinian state increasingly untenable. Coupled with checkpoints, the wall, which remains the single largest obstacle in the West Bank, restricts the movement of Palestinians, entrenches territorial and social fragmentation, undermines livelihoods, and hinders access to basic emergency, health and educational services. 

These measures, justified as security necessities, served to entrench the occupation and made the goal of a two-state solution more elusive than ever. 




Israeli policemen aim their guns at stone-throwing Palestinians in an east Jerusalem neighborhood during clashes. AFP

Such activities and restrictions have intensified since the Oct. 7 cross-border attacks by Hamas; Israeli authorities added 86 new obstacles to movement that affect the lives of 3.3 million Palestinians across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to 2024 data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 

There are now 793 obstacles to movement in the West Bank, including 89 round-the-clock checkpoints and 149 that operate part time, during the day. In addition, 150 communities own farmland from which they have been isolated by the wall. Previously they could access this land through 69 agricultural gates controlled by Israeli forces, but they have been barred from working the land since October 2023, resulting in significant losses of income, particularly from olive groves and other seasonal crops. 

The Second Intifada also created a precedent for settler violence. Emboldened by the Israeli government’s harsh crackdown on Palestinians, settlers in the West Bank carried out attacks on Palestinian farmers, homes and villages, often with impunity. 

The attacks continue to escalate. In 2024, UNOCHA recorded 1,420 attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and their properties in the West Bank, the highest number since it began tracking the figures in 2006. During 2023 and 2024 alone, Israeli forces and settlers killed 1,003 Palestinians in the West Bank, according to UNOCHA. Settler violence is now a persistent feature of the conflict, further exacerbating tensions and deepening Palestinian mistrust of both the Israeli government and the international community. 

The Second Intifada stands as a cautionary tale of the perils of militarization, internal divisions and the failure to adapt strategies to shifting realities. While the uprising underscored the depth of Palestinian frustration and the injustices of the occupation, its methods ultimately weakened the Palestinian cause and allowed Israel to solidify its control over the occupied territories. 




Flanked by security, former Israeli PM Ariel Sharon visits the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City, a site also revered by Jews as Temple Mount. The visit ignited the Second Intifada. AFP

Moving forward, Palestinians must reflect on the lessons of the Second Intifada, as well as the Oct. 7 attacks, to chart a more effective course. A renewed emphasis on nonviolent resistance, coupled with efforts to unify the Palestinian leadership and regain international support, could provide a path toward achieving their aspirations. 

At the same time, the international community must recognize its role in perpetuating the status quo and take meaningful steps to address the root causes of the conflict. Without accountability and a genuine commitment to justice, the mistakes and challenges of the Second Intifada are doomed to be repeated, perpetuating a cycle of violence and suffering that benefits no one. 

The Palestinian armed resistance is the product not only of the continuing Israeli occupation, but also the inaction of the international community and the absence of any political horizon. Without any hope for a better future, Palestinians mistakenly resorted to armed attacks, which delayed rather than accelerated the end of occupation. 

The price of the armed struggle, whether the Second Intifada or the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, has been high, not only in terms of lives lost and the destruction of Palestinian livelihoods and property, but because it also relieved the international community of its obligation to work on efforts to end the Israeli occupation and allow Palestinians to exercise their inalienable political rights. 

  • Daoud Kuttab is a columnist for Arab News, specializing in Middle Eastern, and more specifically, Palestinian affairs. He is the author of the book “State of Palestine NOW: Practical and logical arguments for the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.”


In Dhaka, Makkah Route facility eases Bangladeshi pilgrims’ Hajj journey

In Dhaka, Makkah Route facility eases Bangladeshi pilgrims’ Hajj journey
Updated 1 min 22 sec ago
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In Dhaka, Makkah Route facility eases Bangladeshi pilgrims’ Hajj journey

In Dhaka, Makkah Route facility eases Bangladeshi pilgrims’ Hajj journey
  • Around 87,000 Bangladeshis will be going for Hajj in 2025
  • Special pilgrimage flights from Dhaka began on April 29

Dhaka: Bangladeshi pilgrims have welcomed the Hajj immigration procedures under the Makkah Route initiative, which are easing the process for tens of thousands of pilgrims departing for Saudi Arabia from the nation’s main international airport.

Most of the pilgrims are departing from Dhaka under the flagship pre-travel program.

The Kingdom launched the initiative in 2019 to help pilgrims meet all the visa, customs and health requirements at the airport of origin and save them long hours of waiting before and upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

This year, Hajj is expected to start on June 4, and special pilgrimage flights from the Bangladeshi capital began on April 29.

“The Makkah Route initiative … It’s very pleasant for the pilgrims of Bangladesh. It is, of course, time-saving and being done comfortably,” Hajj director Mohammad Lokman Hossain told Arab News over the weekend.

“They didn’t have to wait in a long queue and it’s very beneficial to the pilgrims.”

Bangladesh is among seven Muslim-majority countries — including Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Turkiye and Cote d’Ivoire — where Saudi Arabia is operating its Makkah Route initiative.

One of the most populous Muslim-majority countries, Bangladesh was granted a quota of 127,000 pilgrims in 2025. But only about 87,000 will be going this year due to high inflation and rising cost of airfares to the Middle East.

The pilgrims appreciated the way the Saudi facility was organized at the airport as they prepared to board their flights to the Kingdom.

“We have completed the immigration formalities very easily. There was no delay, no waiting. It’s like we came and everything was done,” Mohammad Ruhul Kuddus, a businessman from Dhaka, told Arab News.

For Oaliur Reza, the immigration process took only a minute.

“I had no idea about these services. I just found out about it for the first time and I had a very good experience,” Reza said.

“Just within a minute, I passed the immigration, and I liked this service the most.”

Abdul Awal, a businessman from the city of Feni, recalled how different it had been the first time he performed Hajj, when the Makkah Route initiative was not yet introduced.

“I like the current system a lot. It made things easier. The difficulties of the pilgrims have been reduced now significantly compared to the years before (the Makkah Route initiative),” Awal said.

“There were plenty of computerized service counters here for the pilgrims. Praise be to God, it’s very good.”


Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets
Updated 5 min 31 sec ago
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Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has increased its official selling price for crude oil destined for Asia in June, ending a two-month streak of price cuts, the company confirmed in an official statement on Sunday.

The state-owned oil giant raised the price of its benchmark Arab Light crude by $0.20, setting it at $1.40 per barrel above the average of Oman and Dubai crude prices.

The adjustment comes despite persistent downward pressure on global oil markets due to concerns over rising supply and a fragile demand outlook.

The move follows Saturday’s announcement from the OPEC+ alliance, which agreed to boost oil production for a second consecutive month. The group, which includes both OPEC members and key allies like Russia, plans to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in June.

Market observers are now closely watching the outcome of the next OPEC+ meeting, scheduled for May 5, which will further clarify the group’s production strategy heading into summer.

Saudi Aramco prices its crude oil across five density-based grades: Super Light (greater than 40), Arab Extra Light (36-40), Arab Light (32-36), Arab Medium (29-32), and Arab Heavy (below 29).

The company’s monthly pricing decisions impact the cost of around 9 million barrels per day of crude exported to Asia and serve as a pricing benchmark for other major regional producers, including Iran, Kuwait, and Iraq.

In the North American market, Aramco set the May OSP for Arab Light at $3.40 per barrel above the Argus Sour Crude Index.

Aramco determines its OSPs based on market feedback from refiners and an evaluation of crude oil value changes over the past month, taking into account yields and product prices.


Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety

Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
Updated 8 min 11 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety

Saudi Arabia makes strides in Vision 2030, workplace safety
  • Vice environment minister highlights Kingdom’s focus on human capital, sustainability at Riyadh conference

Riyadh: Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant progress toward Vision 2030, with 93 percent of annual indicators met and 85 percent of initiatives either completed or on track.

Speaking at the Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh, he emphasized the environment sector’s commitment to sustainability and the prioritization of worker safety across all development projects.

Al-Mushaiti underscored the Kingdom’s focus on human capital, demonstrated by the establishment of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and the adoption of international best practices.

He noted the water sector’s achievement of more than 190 million safe work hours and a sub-45-second emergency response time with zero serious incidents during large-scale project implementation, which he attributed to robust safety management systems.

The conference, held from May 4-6 under the theme “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health,” brings together senior officials, experts, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and around the world to explore future directions and challenges in global labor markets.

Al-Mushaiti also outlined environmental protection efforts, including a noise and light pollution monitoring program in major cities, citing potential productivity gains of more than 11 percent, according to the World Green Building Council.

He highlighted the success of the Saudi Green Initiative, which has led to the planting of more than 141 million trees, the rehabilitation of more than 313,000 hectares of degraded land, and the protection of more than 4 million hectares.

These environmental advances enhance worker safety and contribute to safer, more sustainable work environments, Al-Mushaiti said.

In agriculture, Al-Mushaiti affirmed the ministry’s adoption of Saudi Good Agricultural Practices standards, with 142 facilities accredited for safe practices, advanced pesticide control systems, and smart awareness platforms that have reduced pesticide residues to below 2 percent.

The three-day conference features scientific sessions, 60 workshops, 20 dialogue sessions, and the Global Occupational Safety and Health Hackathon, showcasing 30 innovative projects.


Pakistan detects poliovirus in sewage samples from 18 districts including major cities

Pakistan detects poliovirus in sewage samples from 18 districts including major cities
Updated 15 min 14 sec ago
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Pakistan detects poliovirus in sewage samples from 18 districts including major cities

Pakistan detects poliovirus in sewage samples from 18 districts including major cities
  • Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi among cities where samples positive
  • Pakistan has reported seven polio cases so far this year, 74 cases were confirmed last year

PESHAWAR: The poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples from 18 districts of Pakistan, including major urban cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, the national polio eradication program said on Monday.

Polio is a paralyzing disease that has no cure. Multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of 5 is essential to provide children high immunity against the disease.

Pakistan has reported seven polio cases so far this year and has planned three major vaccination campaigns in the first half of 2025. Last year, 74 polio cases were confirmed in Pakistan.

“As robust poliovirus surveillance continues in Pakistan, 38 environmental samples collected from 31 districts between Apr. 7-17 were tested at the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication,” the lab said in a statement. 

“The lab confirmed detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples of Loralai, Quetta, Zhob, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Bannu, DI Khan, Peshawar, Tank, North Waziristan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Kashmore, Karachi, and Sukkur.”

A third nationwide campaign to vaccinate children under the age of five is scheduled from May. 26 to June 1.

In the early 1990s, Pakistan reported around 20,000 polio cases annually but in 2018 the number dropped to eight cases. Six cases were reported in 2023 and only one in 2021. 

Pakistan and Afghanistan are the last two countries in the world where polio remains endemic.

Pakistan’s polio program began in 1994 but efforts to eradicate the virus have since been undermined by vaccine misinformation and opposition from some religious hard-liners who say immunization is a foreign ploy to sterilize Muslim children or a cover for Western spies. 

Militant groups also frequently attack and kill members of polio vaccine teams and security guards protecting them.


Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs
Updated 05 May 2025
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Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs

Who is the best? Shai and Jokic in NBA playoffs
  • Oklahoma City’s record-breaking season meets Denver’s championship pedigree in Western Conference clash

DUBAI: The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs was nothing short of spectacular, filled with jaw-dropping moments, dramatic finishes, and two thrilling Game 7 matchups.

Now, as the second round tips off, all eyes are on the highly anticipated clash between the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets, a series headlined by a battle between NBA regular season Most Valuable Player frontrunners Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

This matchup is not just about advancing to the Western Conference finals. It also has the potential to answer one of basketball’s most debated questions among media and fans: Who is the best player in the world right now?

Jokic is coming off a historic regular season, becoming just the third player in NBA history after Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook to average a triple-double. He is also the first center to achieve this feat, finishing with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. On the other side, Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per game, guiding Oklahoma City to an NBA-best 68-14 record.

At some point during the postseason the NBA will announce the winner of the MVP award and present the Michael Jordan Trophy. The three finalists, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, reflect the elite tier of the league, although Antetokounmpo is widely expected to finish third in the voting.

The MVP race adds an extra layer of intensity to this series. While the award is based solely on regular-season performance and will not be influenced by playoff results, the head-to-head battle offers players an opportunity to strengthen their case in the eyes of fans.

History shows that MVP rivalries often bring out legendary playoff performances. Michael Jordan delivered exactly that when facing MVP winners Charles Barkley in 1993 and Karl Malone in 1997, reaffirming his status as the best player in the world. 

Against Barkley’s Suns, Jordan erupted for 55 points in Game 4, one of the highest-scoring games in NBA finals history, and led the Bulls to a third straight title. In 1997, he outshone Malone and hit the game-winning shot in Game 1, setting the tone for another championship run.

This year, Gilgeous-Alexander may have the edge in the MVP conversation. Voters often factor in team success, and with the Thunder finishing first in the league, his leadership and consistency are difficult to ignore. Jokic, despite posting another historic season, could be impacted by voter fatigue after already winning the award three times.

Denver enter the second round fresh from a commanding 120-101 win over the Clippers in Game 7 at Ball Arena, a result that sent a strong message to Oklahoma City that the defending champions are still a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, the Thunder cruised past the Memphis Grizzlies with a first-round sweep, earning a full week of rest. While the break can help players recover, it may also disrupt their rhythm, a factor that has affected playoff teams in the past.

Adding to the storyline, this series marks the first time franchise icon Russell Westbrook has faced the Thunder in a playoff series, and his first postseason return to Oklahoma City in front of fans. The emotional weight of that moment is sure to resonate with both the crowd and the team. Westbrook played a key role in Denver’s Game 7 blowout win over the Clippers, contributing with energy, expertise in defense, and veteran presence off the bench.

The Thunder had a historic 2024–25 NBA season, finishing with a league-best 68–14 record (.829), the top mark in the Western Conference and the best in franchise history. They dominated on both ends of the floor, leading the league with a +12.9 point differential per game and setting a new NBA record with 54 double-digit victories, surpassing the mark held by the legendary 1971–72 Lakers.

This remarkable season positions Oklahoma City as a strong favorite in their matchup against the Denver Nuggets. However, it would be a mistake to count out Nikola Jokic and his battle-tested crew, who won the NBA championship just two seasons ago, and bring valuable playoff-winning experience. With elite talent on both sides and MVP stakes in the spotlight, this series promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns of the postseason.

Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets tips off at 5:30 a.m. (Gulf Standard Time) on Tuesday, May 6.