The Middle East of the present-days would look different without the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), the political and military arm of the Palestinians. Over decades the organization transformed itself from the home of groups consisting of terrorists and armed fighters to the political voice of all Palestinians.
Responsible for the efforts was the man who took over the PLO in 1969 and made it first the home for Arab terrorists and later to an organization to administer Palestine and to deal with the international parties concerned with the conflict in the Middle East: Peace-Nobel-Laureate Yasir Arafat. Decisive for the aggressive policies the PLO adopted in its first decade were the events surrounding its foundation and the takeover through Arafat and his Fateh organization.
This research paper is going to examine why and how the powerful PLO could emerge. It is looking at the roots of Palestinian nationalism after World War II and introducing Arafat’s Fateh movement. Afterwards it will take a close look to the foundation process of the PLO and its aims. The organization will be transformed in 1968 through Arafat. Hence the last chapter of this paper will deal with this issue.
This research paper is based on a comprehensive bibliography containing primary and secondary sources and a scientific article on the topic. As basic work the very detailed book of Helena Cobban, The Palestinian Liberation Organisation – People, Power, Politics, was used.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. The Roots of Palestinian Nationalism after the End of World War II
2. From Student Activists to Organized Fighters in the Fateh Movement
3. Uniting the Palestinians: The Foundation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
4. The Takeover of the PLO through the Fateh
Conclusion
Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This research paper examines the historical emergence and evolution of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), specifically focusing on the transition from its initial foundation to its consolidation of power under Yasir Arafat and the Fateh movement. The central research question explores how and why the PLO transformed from a fragmented collection of groups into a centralized, influential political and military entity.
- The historical roots of Palestinian nationalism post-World War II.
- The rise of the Fateh movement as a disciplined, militant organization.
- The diplomatic and political processes surrounding the initial foundation of the PLO in 1964.
- The impact of the 1967 Six-Day War and the Battle of Karameh on the internal power dynamics of the Palestinian movement.
- The tactical and organizational takeover of the PLO leadership by Fateh in 1969.
Excerpt from the Book
2. From Student Activists to Organized Fighters in the Fateh Movement
To understand the foundation of the PLO and its development in the first years we have to look at the nationalistic movements of the Palestinian groups spread all over the Arab world first. The most important group according to the later leaders of the PLO had its roots in Cairo. Hence this chapter will focus especially on this group and its outcome: The founding of the first comprehensive resistant group, the Fateh.
Cairo was the place where Yasir Arafat fled after the war in Israel. He became already acquainted to leading figures of the future while studying at the University of Cairo.
One of his most important fellows was Salah Khalaf, a literature student who fled from the city Arab Jaffa to Cairo. Some years later he will become the chief of Fateh’s security services and a powerful orator for the movement. Together with him Arafat ran the Palestinian Student Union in 1952. The Union consisted of young Palestinians which wanted to fight against the oppression of their fellow countrymen in Palestine. The members were heavily convinced by the idea, that “the Palestinians could expect nothing from the Arab regimes, for the most part corrupt or tied to imperialism.” As Khalaf stated: “We believed that the Palestinians could rely only on themselves.”
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's scope, identifying the evolution of the PLO from its origins to its transformation into the primary political and military voice for Palestinians under Yasir Arafat.
1. The Roots of Palestinian Nationalism after the End of World War II: This section covers the geopolitical shifts following World War II and the resulting struggle between Zionists and Palestinians over the land, leading to the partition of Palestine.
2. From Student Activists to Organized Fighters in the Fateh Movement: This chapter describes the origins of Fateh among Palestinian students in Cairo and their transition toward a structured, militant movement focused on self-reliance.
3. Uniting the Palestinians: The Foundation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO): This section details the 1964 establishment of the PLO, its initial goals, and the challenges of representing a unified Palestinian front.
4. The Takeover of the PLO through the Fateh: This final analytical chapter examines the decline of initial PLO leadership following the 1967 war and the subsequent rise of Fateh, which seized control of the organization by 1969.
Keywords
Palestinian Liberation Organization, PLO, Fateh, Yasir Arafat, Palestinian Nationalism, Arab-Israeli Conflict, Armed Struggle, Battle of Karameh, Middle East Politics, Refugee Crisis, Palestinian National Charter, Ahmed Shuqairy, Guerrilla Warfare, Salah Khalaf, Political Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the emergence of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the processes that allowed the Fateh movement to gain control over it.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Central themes include the roots of post-WWII Palestinian nationalism, the structural development of the Fateh movement, the founding of the PLO, and the impact of the 1967 Six-Day War.
What is the core research question?
The paper seeks to explain why and how the PLO emerged as a powerful organization and the dynamics behind its takeover by Arafat’s Fateh.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The paper utilizes a historical analysis based on primary and secondary sources, relying heavily on seminal academic literature regarding Middle Eastern politics.
What does the main body cover?
The main body chronicles the evolution from student activism to organized militancy, the diplomatic creation of the PLO, and the shift in strategy toward armed struggle.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include PLO, Fateh, Yasir Arafat, Palestinian Nationalism, and armed struggle.
How did the Battle of Karameh influence the Fateh movement?
The Battle of Karameh significantly boosted the popularity and reputation of Fateh, establishing it as the most important military group within the Palestinian movement.
What role did the 1967 Six-Day War play in the PLO's leadership transition?
The war weakened President Nasser's influence and the credibility of the existing PLO leadership, creating a political vacuum that allowed the more radical, militant Fateh movement to seize control.
- Quote paper
- Christian Pfeiffer (Author), 2005, Arab Resistance in Palestine. From Fateh to the Foundation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/43073
