The Emergence of the PLO
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestinian Arabs had a weak history of
organization and leadership.
Historically, the Mufti of Jerusalem had been their
official voice during the British Mandate.
The Mufti had tried to ally with Hitler during the
war and was banned from Palestine.
After the 1948 War,
the Palestinians
became refugees and
fell under either
Syrian, Egyptian,
Jordanian, or
Lebanese control.
Finally, in 1959 a group of Palestinian
Fighters emerged named Fatah.
The group was founded by Palestinian
refugees that had met while attending
university in Cairo.
Yasser
Arafat
(1929-2004)
Founder of
Fatah
In 1964, the PLO was founded by the Arab League
(Nasset – Egypt,
It was created to control Palestinian nationalism.
If Nasser could control and lead the Arab Palestinians,
he could also unite the Arab world under Egyptian
control. (Pan-Arabism)
PLO
Fatah
From 1965-1967, the Fatah carried out an increasing
number of attacks against Israel, supported by the Arab
states, especially Syria.
He was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO),
FaTaH is a reverse acronym of the Arabic
name Harakat al-Tahrir al-Watani al-Filastini
which translates into "The Palestinian
National Liberation Movement".
After the Six Day War in 1967, things changed for
the PLO and Fatah.
What changed?
- The Arab countries that were helping
them (Egypt, Syria, Jordan) suffered heavy
losses in the war.
- These countries were now concerned about the
land they lost in the war, not the refugees.
- Many Palestinians realized they’d have to fight on
their own.
Life in the occupied territories….
West Bank, Gaza Strip under Israeli rule
(occupation).
Resistance was dealt with harshly and was interpreted in many
ways: holding a rally or demonstration, organizing a strike or just
waving the Palestinian flag. Israeli troops rounded up PLO suspects
and others whom they saw as a threat to their security.Thousands
were jailed without trial, some tortured and hundreds were
deported(usually to Jordan). Sometimes their houses were blown up,
leaving their families homeless.
1967 was a major turning point.
(Source F pg 135)
The aggressive war of 1967 was a landmark in my life.The new
expansion of Israel and the new waves of refugees multiplied the
tragedy many times…I am left with no alternative but to fight our
oppressor.This is why I have joined the Palestine National
Liberation Movement.We shall fight for the Palestinians return and
for a new society in Palestine.
- Ghazi Daniel, Palestinian Refugee
Fatah increased its attacks into Israel after the war,
planting bombs, mines and military installations.
Most attacks came from the
West Bank and Jordan.
In response to these attacks,
Israel decided to attack an
important Fatah base in
Karameh.
Karameh
Israel launched an attack on
Karameh in March, 1968
involving 15,000 troops and
planes.
300 Palestinians Forces,
alongside Jordan’s army
took out several tanks and
planes, killing 28 Israelis.
The Battle at Karameh inspired thousands of Arabs to
join Fatah and the guerillas. It proved that the Israelis
were not invincible and could be defeated.
Between 1967 and 1970, Fatah forces killed over 500
Israelis.
1970 Arafat becomes leader of the PLO
Source I “He slept in a different bed every
night.”
Pg. 137
Why?
Arafat and Nasser
1970 Arab
Conference.
…and Abu Jihad.
Palestinian National Charter (1968)
- Armed struggle is the only way to liberate Palestine
- The partition of Palestine in 1947 and the
establishment of the state of Israel are entirely illegal,
regardless of the passage of time.
Terrorists or Freedom Fighters?
Sources J-M (pg 137 – 138)
Palestinian Terrorism
The Palestinians Refugees changed their tactics in
the late 1960s to include targets outside of Israel.
- 1968 PFLP members hijacked an Israeli passenger
plane in Athens, killing one man.
- 1970 A Swiss airplane was blown up on the way
to Israel.
The Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine
was created by Dr George Habash, a Palestinian
Christian.
The Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine
was created by Dr George Habash, a Palestinian
Christian.
Meanwhile in Jordan…
After the 1967 War, 300,000
Palestinians had moved from the
West Bank to Jordan.
(Half Jordan’s Population)
The PLO were acting as if they rules Jordan,
roaming around the city, fully armed, setting up
road blocks etc.
So, the King Hussein of
Jordan asked them to obey
him and his army.
A couple weeks later, passenger jets (BOAC, Swissair and
TWA) are hijacked by the PFLP and landed in an airfield in
Jordan.
The hijackers demand the release of Palestinian prisoners in
Israel and in Europe.
The passengers were let off the planes and then blown up.
King Hussein tells his army to take control of the
PLO bases.
The PLO resist, and fighting begins for 10 days.
3000 guerillas
were killed.
Nasser helped negotiate a
ceasefire.
The Palestinians felt betrayed by Jordan and King
Hussein.
They murdered Jordan’s Prime Minister Wasfi al-Tel
while he was in Egypt.
A new terrorist group was created called
“Black September”
In 1972, Black September stunned the entire
world. It attacked Israeli athletes competing
in the Olympic games in Munich Germany.
Two terrorist bombings in
Volgograd Russia
(Stalingrad).
Sochi Olympics coming up.