The Palestinian Liberation Organisation.

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The Palestinian Liberation Organisation

        “Source A suggests that power can be increased through violent methods.  Study sources A-C.  How accurate is the interpretation described in source A when applied to the activities of the PLO since 1960?”

        This second part of the coursework will focus on the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, who they were, their activities and what they called for.  The sources will also be analysed, and how precise source A is when functioned to the PLO will also be mentioned.  

        The question of peace in the Middle East was complicated by the plight of the Palestinian refugees.  Neighbouring Arab States did not want Palestinians to settle in their country as everlasting citizens.  Instead these refugees were placed in refugee camps where conditions were of abject poverty.  The UN tried to persuade Israel to allow them to return, but a few of these who had done so, had carried out attacks on the Jewish people and so was ineffective.

        In 1949, the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) began to look after the refugee camps.  Many Arab countries used the state of the refugee camps as a good propaganda weapon.  However, as years past by, the number of people in refugee camps also increased as more children were given birth to.  

        Some Palestinians became annoyed and began to form their own organisations.  One such organisation was the ‘Al-Fatah’.  Fatah in Arabic means ‘conquest’.  Fatah, in the 1960’s developed into an active fighting force.

        The Arab governments in 1964, set-up an organisation for the Palestinian people known as the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO).

        The Israelis attacked Al-Fatah headquarters in the refugee town of Karemah in 1968.  The success of Fatah at Karameh encouraged more supporters.  Fatah was now seen as the force behind the PLO.  Arafat himself now became known as the voice of the Palestinians themselves.

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        The PLO claimed that the Jewish State had no right to exist and must be destroyed.  The PLO believed in the use of force against Israel.  The PLO’s views were stated in the Palestinian National Charter.  It included that Arabs should have a homeland, Palestine could not be divided, and it called for all Arabs to work towards the Liberation of Palestine.

        Within the Fatah organisation there were many other organisations belonging to the PLO (the popular front for the liberation of Palestine) led by George Habash, the PFLP-GC (the popular front for the liberation of Palestine – General Command) ...

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