The Palestine Liberation Organization
A Comprehensive Analysis of its Historical Trajectory and Political Framework.
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Overview
Defining the PLO
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is a Palestinian nationalist coalition, internationally recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people. Established in 1964, its initial objective was the establishment of an Arab state over the entirety of Mandatory Palestine, advocating for the elimination of Israel. Its headquarters are located in Al-Bireh, West Bank.
International Standing
The PLO holds observer status at the United Nations, signifying its role as the representative of the Palestinian people. While designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 1987, subsequent waivers have permitted official contact. Most of the international community recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative from the mid-1970s onwards.
Foundational Ideology
The PLO's ideology was initially codified in the 1964 Palestinian National Covenant, which called for the liberation of Palestine and implicitly rejected Israel's existence. Post-1967, the Charter was revised, allowing for the establishment of a Palestinian state with equal rights for all inhabitants, a move interpreted as tacitly recognizing Jewish presence and shifting towards a two-state solution framework.
Historical Trajectory
Early Militancy and Jordan
Founded in 1964, the PLO commenced its militant activities with an attack on Israel's National Water Carrier in January 1965. Operating from bases in Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, the PLO employed guerrilla tactics. The period from 1967 to 1971 saw escalating conflict with Israel, culminating in Jordan's expulsion of PLO groups following the Black September events.
Lebanon, Tunis, and Global Operations
Following its expulsion from Jordan, the PLO established its headquarters in Lebanon, becoming a significant actor in the Lebanese Civil War. After the 1982 Israeli invasion, the PLO relocated its base to Tunis. This period was marked by significant global operations and political maneuvering, though it also led to a perceived detachment from the Palestinian populace.
The Oslo Accords and Shift in Strategy
A pivotal moment arrived with the 1993 Oslo I Accord, mediated between the PLO and Israel. This agreement led to mutual recognition: the PLO acknowledged Israel's legitimacy, renounced violence, and accepted UN Security Council Resolution 242. In return, Israel recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people. This marked a strategic shift towards diplomacy and self-governance, leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority.
Second Intifada and Subsequent Developments
The breakdown of the 2000 Camp David talks precipitated the Second Intifada. While the PLO had officially renounced terrorism, militant activities continued. The PLO has faced legal challenges in the US related to these actions. In 2018, the PLO Central Council voted to suspend recognition of Israel, reflecting ongoing tensions and shifts in political strategy.
Ideological Foundations
The National Covenant
The PLO's foundational ideology was articulated in the Palestinian National Covenant. Article 2 asserted the indivisibility of Palestine within its Mandate borders, while Article 20 declared the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate null and void, viewing Jewish ties to Palestine as incompatible with statehood and Jews as citizens of their respective nations, not a single nation. These articles were later nullified or amended following the Oslo Accords.
Evolution Towards Peace
Following the 1967 war, the PLO's ideology evolved. The 1968 Charter allowed for a Palestinian state with equal rights, implicitly accepting Jewish presence. The 1974 Ten Point Program proposed a "national authority" in liberated territories as an interim goal, signaling a move towards a two-state solution, though armed struggle remained the primary stated means. This shift was met with internal division and external scrutiny.
Secularism and Islam
The PLO and its dominant faction, Fatah, are generally secular, contrasting with more religiously oriented groups like Hamas. However, the Palestinian Authority's 2003 Amended Basic Law designates Islam as the sole official religion and Sharia as a principal source of legislation, reflecting the predominantly Muslim population of the territories.
Organizational Structure
Governing Bodies
The PLO operates under a structure defined by its Fundamental Law. Key institutions include the Palestine National Council (PNC), serving as the highest authority and parliament-in-exile; the Executive Committee (EC), elected by the PNC to manage operations; and the Palestinian Central Council (PCC), acting as an intermediary body. The PNC, intended to represent all Palestinians globally, has seen its membership composition debated due to the absence of regular elections.
Leadership and Factions
Historically led by figures such as Ahmad Shukeiri, Yahya Hammuda, Yasser Arafat, and currently Mahmoud Abbas, the PLO is dominated by Fatah. It functions as an umbrella organization for various Palestinian resistance movements, political parties, and popular organizations. The effectiveness and representativeness of its leadership have been subjects of internal and external debate, particularly concerning the exclusion of groups like Hamas and the lack of democratic elections.
Publications and Representation
The PLO has maintained a range of publications, including newspapers and pamphlets, with its official news agency being Wafa. The organization's role as the primary representative of the Palestinian people has been central to its identity and international engagement, particularly through its UN observer status and diplomatic missions.
Membership Composition
Constituent Organizations
The PLO comprises numerous political factions and organizations, each with distinct ideologies and historical roles. These include major groups like Fatah, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and others, reflecting a broad spectrum of Palestinian political thought, though often dominated by secular nationalist and socialist leanings.
Political Status and Recognition
United Nations Observer
The PLO achieved observer status at the United Nations in 1974, recognized as the representative of the Palestinian people. This status was later upgraded in 2012 when Palestine was admitted as a non-member observer state. The PLO continues to represent Palestine in international forums, navigating complex diplomatic relations.
United States Relations
Designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1987, the PLO's status evolved with presidential waivers permitting contact. The PLO Mission in Washington D.C. was upgraded to a "General Delegation" but faced closure in 2018 due to Palestinian efforts to involve the International Criminal Court against Israel, highlighting the sensitive nature of U.S.-PLO diplomatic ties.
Global Recognition
The PLO is recognized by the Arab League as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Since the mid-1970s, a majority of nations have acknowledged the PLO's representative status. This broad international recognition underpins its legitimacy in advocating for Palestinian rights and aspirations on the global stage.
The Peace Process
Shift from Armed Struggle
Initially committed to armed struggle, the PLO's strategic orientation shifted significantly following the Yom Kippur War. The 1974 Ten Point Program marked an early attempt at a peaceful resolution, proposing a national authority in liberated territories. This move, while controversial internally, paved the way for diplomatic engagement.
Oslo Accords and Mutual Recognition
The 1993 Oslo Accords represented a landmark agreement where the PLO recognized Israel's right to exist in peace and security, renouncing terrorism. Israel, in turn, recognized the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people. This facilitated the establishment of the Palestinian Authority and granted Palestinians limited self-governance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the progress made through the Oslo Accords, the peace process has faced persistent challenges. The PLO's commitment to armed struggle has been questioned, particularly during the Second Intifada. Furthermore, the suspension of Palestinian recognition of Israel in 2018 underscores the enduring complexities and setbacks in achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Financial Aspects
Asset and Income Estimates
Reports from the early 1990s suggested the PLO possessed substantial assets, estimated between $8 to $10 billion, with annual incomes ranging from $1.5 to $2 billion derived from various sources including donations, extortion, arms dealing, and financial fraud. These figures, however, varied, with some estimates placing the PLO's alleged hidden assets between $3 to $5 billion.
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References
References
- Due to its association with the Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-dominated faction)
- Due to its association with the Ba'ath Party (Syrian-dominated faction)
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3236. "Having heard the statement of the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, ..."
- Palestinian Constitution. Palestinian National Authority, April 2003
- See the 1996 list of members: Members of the PLO Central Council as of 1996. At middleeastreference.org.uk
- Tom Lansford,Political Handbook of the World 2014, p. 1634. CQ Press, March 2014
- Profile: Mahmoud Abbas . BBC, 5 November 2009
- Who's Who in the Arab World 2007รขยย2008. Walter de Gruyter, 2007
- Arafat vs Abbas. Al-Ahram Weekly, 17รขยย23 July 2003, Issue No. 647
- Arafat urged to end corruption after unrest. Chris McGreal, The Guardian, 20 July 2004
- Hajjar, 2005, p. 53.
- The Palestinian Diaspora: Formation of Identities and Politics of Homeland, by Helena Lindholm Schulz, Juliane Hammer, Routledge, 2003 p. 81
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