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Five misassumptions about the second intifada

Five assumptions that shaped the Israeli and Palestinian narratives at the time of the second intifada, have been proven wrong by history, but continue to guide the two people's public opinion.
An Israeli Border Policeman and a Palestinian scream at each other face to face in the Old City of Jerusalem October 13, 2000 as the Palestinian is refused entry to the al-Aqsa mosque for Friday prayers. Israeli security forces prevented thousands of Palestinians from attending Friday prayers over concern for continued unrest and clashes following the prayers due to the increased tensions and fighting in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  REUTERS/Amit Shabi 

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This week marks thirteen years since the eruption of the Second Intifada, which is often attributed to Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount as leader of the Opposition. Riots broke out, leaving four Palestinians dead and hundreds more wounded. The rest is history.

More than 4,000 Palestinians were killed during the course of the Second Intifada. Another 1,100 Israelis died in terrorist attacks. The wounded on both sides numbered in the tens of thousands. If there had been the slightest bit of trust between Israelis and the Palestinian before the embarrassing Camp David debacle, if there had been the slightest hint of hope for coexistence and a resolution to the conflict, it was eliminated in one fell swoop in late September 2000.

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