Debating Palestinian Strategy in The al-Aqsa Intifada

Violent confrontation broke out between Israel and the Palestinians in late September 2000. The precursors were clear, and neither side expressed surprise at the turn of events. The situation was one of asymmetry and contiguity between the two sides: modes of control exercised by Israel included the stationing of Israeli troops deep within areas of Palestinian rule and the encirclement of Palestinian cities by Israeli army bases. This article asks whether, in light of this situation, the Palestinian leadership and other Palestinian groups at any point developed a clear strategy for military action, and examines the consequences of any strategy, or lack of one, for the outcome of the confrontation.