Understanding the history of the Palestine Liberation Organization

The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was officially established on May 28, 1964, during a meeting of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) in Jerusalem, then under Jordanian control.

The creation of the PLO came in response to growing Palestinian nationalism and the desire for a unified front to address the issue of Palestinian statelessness following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the subsequent displacement of Palestinians.

The Arab League, seeking to control and influence the Palestinian political movement, played a significant role in the formation of the PLO.

Ahmed Shukeiri, a former Saudi diplomat, was elected as the first Chairman of the PLO.

The organization's initial charter, known as the Palestinian National Covenant, called for the liberation of Palestine and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, with an emphasis on armed struggle as a primary means to achieve these goals.

The PLO's early years were marked by efforts to consolidate various Palestinian factions under its umbrella, including Fatah, which was founded by Yasser Arafat in 1959 and quickly became a dominant force within the PLO.

Initially, the PLO's primary goal was the liberation of Palestine through armed struggle, with the aim of establishing an independent, sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of historic Palestine.

This stance was articulated in the Palestinian National Covenant, which rejected the legitimacy of the State of Israel and advocated for the return of Palestinian refugees to their homeland.

Over the years, the PLO's ideology has shifted from a focus on armed struggle to a more diplomatic approach.

This change was particularly evident after the 1974 Arab League Summit in Rabat, where the PLO was recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people."

This recognition paved the way for the PLO to engage in international diplomacy and seek a political solution to the conflict.

In 1988, a significant turning point occurred when the PLO, under the leadership of Yasser Arafat, officially accepted United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which called for the recognition of Israel's right to exist and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied territories.

This marked a shift towards a two-state solution, with the PLO seeking the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

One of the early significant events was the 1967 Six-Day War, which resulted in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.

This defeat led to a shift in the PLO's strategy towards guerilla warfare and increased its emphasis on armed struggle as a means of liberation.

In September 1970, the PLO faced a major crisis during the Black September conflict in Jordan.

The Jordanian military launched a crackdown on the PLO, leading to the expulsion of the organization from Jordan and its relocation to Lebanon.

This was a turning point in the PLO's history, as it began to establish a more significant political and military presence in Lebanon.

In 1982, the PLO faced a major setback during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, aimed at rooting out the PLO's military infrastructure.

The invasion led to the Siege of Beirut, and eventually, the PLO leadership, including Yasser Arafat, was forced to leave Lebanon and relocate to Tunis.

The Oslo Accords in 1993 were a landmark event in the history of the PLO. The Accords, signed by Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, marked the first time that the PLO and Israel officially recognized each other.

The Accords led to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, which assumed limited self-governing responsibilities in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Since the late 20th century, the PLO's involvement in negotiations and diplomatic efforts has been pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the peace process.

Following the Oslo Accords, the PLO, through the PA, engaged in several rounds of negotiations with Israel, including the Camp David Summit in 2000 and the Annapolis Conference in 2007.

These negotiations aimed to address the core issues of the conflict and achieve a final status agreement, but they ultimately failed to produce a lasting resolution.

The PLO's role in the peace process has also been shaped by its relationship with other Palestinian factions, particularly Hamas.

The division between the PLO-dominated PA in the West Bank and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has complicated efforts to present a unified Palestinian front in negotiations with Israel.

In recent years, the PLO has continued to seek international support for the Palestinian cause, advocating for recognition of Palestinian statehood at the United Nations and other international forums. 

One of the primary criticisms has been its involvement in acts of violence and terrorism, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s.

The PLO was responsible for several high-profile attacks, including airplane hijackings, bombings, and the Munich Olympics massacre in 1972.

These actions led to the PLO being designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, although this designation has been lifted by many in subsequent years as the PLO shifted towards a more diplomatic approach.

Accusations of corruption and nepotism within the PLO and the Palestinian Authority have undermined the organization's credibility and effectiveness.

Critics argue that this corruption has hindered the PLO's ability to represent and serve the Palestinian people adequately.

Some argue that the PLO has made too many concessions without securing significant gains for the Palestinian people.

Others criticize the PLO for not being sufficiently inclusive of all Palestinian factions and voices, particularly those opposed to the peace process or advocating for different strategies.