Intifada is an Arabic term that literally translates to “shaking off,” and is used to describe a type of resistance or mass uprising against oppressive regimes, or a general uprising or refusal to accept the status quo Though the term can refer to any kind of political demonstration or uprising, it is often used to specifically refer to the Palestinian uprisings in Gaza and the West Bank, which began in1987, and has since grown into a major struggle for civil rights and self-determination. The goal of the Intifada is to draw international attention to the cause of Palestinian rights and advocate for an independent Palestinian state.
The first and best known example of Intifada is the Palestinian Intifada, which began in 1987 and lasted until 1993. This was a mass uprising against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which lasted from 1967-1993. Throughout the Intifada, Palestinians carried out peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and even acts of violence with the goal of gaining independence from Israel. Since then, the Palestinian struggle for freedom has only grown.
The second example of Intifada is the Shi’a uprising in Bahrain in 2011. This was a largely peaceful movement against the oppressive regime of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The uprising was sparked by calls for reform and increased democracy, as well as by harsh crackdowns on protests and media outlets. Though the Bahraini government eventually called in foreign troops to help put down the uprising, it has since been succeeded by a series of peaceful protests calling for reforms, namely greater freedom of speech and political representation.
The third example of Intifada is the Yemeni Revolution of 2011-2012. This was a mass uprising against the autocratic rule of Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had been in power for more than 30 years. The uprising, which was part of the broader Arab Spring, began with peaceful protests, and eventually evolved into a civil war between Saleh’s forces and those of the Houthi rebels. The conflict continues to this day, though a fragile ceasefire is currently in place.
The fourth example of Intifada is the 2019-2020 protest movement in Sudan. This began as a peaceful protest against the rule of President Omar al-Bashir, who had been in power since 1989. The protests eventually forced Bashir to resign and see democratic reform. The new government, led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, has since carried out numerous reforms and established a path towards greater democracy.
The fifth example of Intifada is the ongoing Hong Kong pro-democracy protests. This began in 2019 as a peaceful protest against a proposed extradition bill that many viewed as an attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy. The protests quickly evolved into a broader movement against the Chinese government, calling for greater autonomy and democratic reform. Though the Chinese government has since imposed a national security law on Hong Kong, the protests continue to this day.