Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did the first intifada begin in 1987?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Panoramic view of a small valley with a stream, olive trees, and terraced hillsides in the countryside near Ramallah, Palestine, under a sky with scattered clouds. — Palestine View from a small valley with a stream between large hills of olive groves.

The first intifada, which began in December 1987, was the result of years of mounting frustration among Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Several key factors created the environment for this uprising:

Land and Settlements: Tensions were fueled by intensified Israeli land expropriation and the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, particularly following the 1977 electoral victory of the Likud party.1
Repression and Alienation: Palestinians faced increasing military repression following the 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Additionally, political and civil rights were restricted, and a generation of youth grew up with limited economic prospects and uncertain status.12
Leadership Crisis: Local activists increasingly challenged the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as many Palestinians felt the organization had failed to achieve self-determination through diplomacy or military efforts.12

The uprising was triggered in December 1987 when an Israeli vehicle struck two vans carrying Palestinian workers, killing four people—an event perceived by Palestinians as an act of revenge for a prior stabbing of an Israeli.1