The motives behind the Jerusalem Intifada

A popular eruption has occurred in Jerusalem, something Jerusalem hasn’t experienced for some time. This eruption reminds us of the First Intifada in 1987. The similarities between the two include the popular uprising that precedes the national leadership and the innovation of peaceful means and tools of struggle which hurt the occupation because they are individual operations and actions that cannot be stopped. Here I am referring to the stabbings, hit-and-runs, stone throwing and the Molotov cocktails thrown at Israeli soldiers. These uprisings also highlighted the fragility and weakness of the so-called Israeli state and boosted the hope of the Palestinians that the liberation of Palestine is near.

What are the motives and reasons behind the Jerusalem Intifada?

First: The reasons for the outbreak

There are many reasons, but only one goal, i.e. the control of Jerusalem as the unified capital of the Zionist occupation’s state and the construction of the alleged temple in place of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Therefore, there are a number of reasons that drove the Palestinians to explode in the face of the occupation, the most important of which are:

1. Religious reasons: Jerusalem has a religious significance to those following the three monotheistic religions, and this is where its political significance lies. Therefore, since the Israeli occupation in 1967, the occupation began the process of systematic Judaisation targeting the holy city. They began excavations under Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, and now the building is at risk of falling at any moment. The settlers and occupation forces also started desecrating and storming the mosque, reaching the extent of the Israeli soldiers coming with their boots into Al-Qabali Mosque and setting fire to it. They also prohibit Jerusalemites from praying inside Al-Aqsa and have imposed strict entry and exit measures.
2. Political reasons: Jerusalemites are starting to feel the magnitude of the scheme being plotted by the international community against Jerusalem and the magnitude of the regional failure to reinforce the perseverance of the Jerusalemites. They have also lost confidence and trust in the Palestinian negotiators due to the concessions being made regarding East Jerusalem in any negotiations with the occupation. This is based on leaked documents.
3. Economic reasons: the Jerusalemites are facing great bribery that can only be withstood by the pious, righteous and heroes. The settlement organisations are offering millions of dollars to Jerusalemites to sell their properties and homes, and are making it easier to obtain European and American citizenships. However, the Jerusalemites are rejecting this and remain committed to their land and beliefs, but the occupation will not leave them alone. They have been imposing more taxes on the Jerusalemites, the most important of which is the property tax (Arnona), revoking their IDs and demolishing their homes. Perhaps the policy of collective punishment used against the families of those committing heroic acts embodies the painful reality that the people of Jerusalem are suffering from. The economic situation is tragic in every sense of the word; what a shame! Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians are disappointing the Jerusalemites and those guarding the city.
4. Demographic and geographic reasons: One of the most important foundations on which the Zionist policy towards Jerusalem is built on is the control of the largest possible area of land with the least amount of Palestinian residents.
5. The occupation has adopted the belt strategy, which is based on constructing large settlements around East Jerusalem and settlements inside the city, and then connects the large settlements to the settlements inside the city with roads. This divides the Palestinian areas, and the settlers then begin to infiltrate the lives of the Palestinians on a daily basis, thus creating more friction, clashes and tension.

The occupation state gained international recognition, but it does not adhere to international resolutions, on the contrary, they have adopted the policy of transfer and displacement that is no less dangerous than the 1948 Nakba or the 1967 Naksa. The occupation state continues to expel and displace the Palestinians and continues to change the features and landmarks of the holy city. I am not talking about changes being made in West Jerusalem, where the Jewish and non-Arab population makes up 99.1 per cent of the population. I am talking about East Jerusalem, which many international resolutions state is Arab and Palestinian. However, the occupation state, with the support of its Western allies, has and continues to change the status quo by quickening the pace of settlements, building settlement units, and the Jerusalem municipality is carrying out many plans to erase the city’s landmarks.

Translated from Felesteen, 3 November 2015.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.