Better late than never...hopefully! I had this 90% done a week ago and put it on hold because the readings are dated and needed to catch up on more recent news, which I mention at the end...
What I had before:
While re-reading the Zunes chapter, I'm realizing that the fact that the success of the Druze nonviolent resistance to Israeli soldiers inspired the Palestinians just before the first Intifada is remarkable, as is the breakdown in the morale and discipline of the soldiers when confronted with the nonviolent action of the population. The logic of nonviolence is that when a military force does not have a recognizable force against which to push back, it becomes much easier to redirect the energy and take them off balance (i.e., breakdown of morale). (The physical analogy to the martial art of aikido occurred to me the second time I read this, just before noticing the author's similar analogy to jujitsu!) Further, as the reading suggests, when lacking the threat of violent resistance, the purpose of military troops becomes questionable (at the very least) to the point of being unjustifiable. Similarly, violent resistance is quite a desired reaction for those wishing to justify a military occupation. So at first, the first Intifada had positive effects: greater international awareness and recognition of the PLO and Palestinian self-determination within just the first year. But as time went on, the PA would only control politics while Israel continued to control the land, and the nonviolent resistance movement became stuck; they felt the need for "stronger" resistance.
Dajani really explored the effects of the first Intifada on the Palestinian psyche: feelings of both empowerment and frustration. They were constantly re-evaluating actions, objectives, and priorities and perhaps didn't have the patience to see through the nonviolent struggle. I can't say I blame them, considering that, by now, all Palestinians have lived their entire lifetimes under occupation. The fact that they ended up reacting more than strategizing naturally led to difficulty in maintaining unity. The overall lack of political progress exacerbated the infighting and acts of violence from certain groups/individuals (unsurprisingly, women and their public demands were used as scapegoats for any defeats). It's easy to see how Palestinians have felt demoralized by the brutality of ongoing Israeli repression and the neglect (for the most part) of the international community in supporting their cause.
As for the Intifada's effects on the Israeli people: some people realized that repressing the Palestinians was both wrong and detrimental to their security, while others became more convinced that the occupation should be enforced at any cost. It's the usual divide between people who have empathy and/or common sense, and people who somehow think that war can lead to peace, or else don't care about peace as long as they have a lot of military protection. Unfortunately, increasingly violent/separating measures between the Israeli military and Palestinians apparently kept the outrage from having too strong an impact on the Israeli public.
What is also unfortunate is that whatever effect the Intifada had seems to have almost completely faded between Israel and Palestine. From the 51-day war last summer that destroyed thousands of homes and killed hundreds of civilians to Netanyahu's recent re-election and incessant war rallying to Hamas and other armed groups having to turn away recruits due to the higher-than-ever unemployment and outrage over the death and destruction...it's hard to see a nonviolent future. The increased insecurity in the region has only, undoubtedly, added to the justification of keeping a firm "iron first" over the Palestinian territories. And, apparently, the extra land and power seem to be worth the security risk of uprisings. After years of failed violent uprisings and years of largely nonviolent uprisings that did not manage to reach a tipping point or enough of a political effect or enough international support...again, I can not blame Palestinians for reacting violently after all that they have lost, my pacifism aside.
One piece of surprising recent news I came across is that Palestinian doctors are now allowed to drive to work in Jerusalem, for the first time since 2000. Also, Palestinians over the age of 50 received relaxed permitting, and businessmen might also experience more freedom of movement. Of course, any of this could change at any time.
Zephyr I agree with you in your understanding of the violence of the Palestinian reaction. However, I do have a slight bone to pick with you in regards to your comment about the effect of the Intifada on the Israeli public. In my opinion, much of young Israeli society wants peace and is interested in solutions that will allow for an end to the war that have plagued both sides for years now. However, I do think the difficulty is the lack of interaction between the two sides due to Israeli military restrictions. The increased extremism on both sides has caused further division I think many are conflicted with choices like, "do I vote for Netanyahu or do I risk my personal security?" From discussions I've had with Israeli friends, the consensus is there that Netanyahu is far too conservative and extreme in his approaches but there is this fear that without him, public safety will significantly decrease. However, you could say that with this argument, you're dooming the Palestinian public to a decrease in their public safety. It's a never-ending cycle...an unfortunate "chicken or the egg" argument.
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