Written by Lt. Col. (ret.) Jonathan D. Halevi, a senior researcher of the Middle East and radical Islam at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, this thorough article aims to debunk the myth that the Second Intifada was a spontaneous popular uprising over which the Palestinian Authority leadership had no control, revealing Yasser Arafat’s central role in initiating and managing the violent campaign against Israel. Using testimonies and sources from the Palestinian Authority leadership, the article shows the goals of the Second Intifada, key events leading up to its outbreak and the major individuals and organizations involved.
