Intifada is an Arabic word that stands for shaking off or shivering because of fear or illness. It also means an abrupt and sudden waking up from sleep or unconcerned status. Politically, it is said the word came to symbolize the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupation. The word, as the Palestinians use it, also stands for the weakness of the Palestinian people and their suffering under the Israeli occupation. .
The intifada came about in and around 1987-88. The Palestinians had been predicted to lose the will to resist Israel's continuing drive into the territories. Many things led the Palestinians to unite and fight back in such a harsh form. The Zionist right sought to ensure that the West Bank and Gaza would remain under permanent Israeli rule. Palestinians were angered due to the settler participation in IDF operations done in the name of security. They felt that daily car searches were meant to control and intimidate the Palestinians; moreover, being carried out by even teenagers. Another reason that led to this uprising was Israel's control of water resources. Palestinian towns were suffering from shortages because water was being rerouted into Jewish settlements. The reasons delved further than just locally. Internationally speaking, the US added fuel to the fire. They closed the PLO's information office in Washington D.C. emphasizing their alliance with Israel. Even the Arab states had lost interest in the situation and declared Iran, not Israel, the biggest threat to the Arab world. The Palestinians could see the loss of support on their behalf from the world. They felt alone and knew that only their own efforts offered the only hope for a change in the status quo.
In my opinion, I feel that the primary political message the intifada leaders wanted to convey was simple. They wanted to stand up for themselves and let it be known they were not going to give up, even if it killed them.