Karameh to Black September: Revolt within Revolt

Episode Narrative

In the early hours of March 21, 1968, a battle erupted just beyond the banks of the Jordan River. The location was Karameh, a modest town that would soon become etched in the annals of history. Here, amid the undulating hills and arid terrain, Palestinian fighters from the Palestine Liberation Organization joined forces with Jordanian soldiers. Together, they faced the formidable Israeli Defense Forces, which had amassed heavy artillery and air support, prepared to obliterate what they deemed a threat to their national security.

This confrontation was not merely a clash of arms; it was a pivotal moment that resonated deeply across the Arab world. The battle at Karameh became a symbol of resistance. For many Palestinians, it represented a galvanizing force, a flicker of pride amidst the ongoing turmoil of displacement and strife. Despite the stark disparity in military capabilities, with the Israeli forces possessing overwhelming firepower, the PLO’s staunch defense sparked a heightened sense of nationalism, fueling a renewed collective identity among Palestinians and their supporters throughout the region.

In the wake of Karameh, from 1968 to 1970, the dynamic within Jordan began to shift radically. The PLO had established a quasi-state within Jordan, exercising increasing autonomy. This newfound sense of independence, however, strained relationships with the Jordanian monarchy. King Hussein found himself walking a delicate tightrope, balancing the aspirations of the Palestinian fighters with his own authority as ruler. The fedayeen, while fighting for liberation, began to challenge both military and political supremacy in Jordan, leading to escalating tensions. What began as a partnership based on a shared vision of resistance soon morphed into a dangerous rivalry, as factions clashed over control and influence within the kingdom.

By September of 1970, the situation had reached a boiling point. Tensions exploded into a full-scale civil war, a violent chapter that would come to be known as "Black September." Throughout the streets of Amman and other Jordanian cities, fierce battles raged. The Jordanian army, seeking to reclaim its authority and expel the PLO, unleashed a brutal crackdown, utilizing heavy artillery and aerial bombardments on urban strongholds. The conflict laid waste to neighborhoods and cities, claiming many civilian lives and leaving deep wounds that would last long after the fighting ceased.

As the streets ran red with blood, the world watched with a mix of horror and intrigue. The harsh response from King Hussein’s government drew stark condemnation from various corners of the Arab world and beyond. Some nations condemned his actions, rallying in support of the Palestinian cause, while others stood firmly behind the Jordanian monarchy, fearing the rise of a united Palestinian state might threaten their own regimes. Thus, the conflict not only exposed fractures within Jordan but also reflected deeper divisions across the Arab landscape.

By late September of that tumultuous year, the PLO was decisively expelled from Jordan. The exodus marked a transformative shift in the geography of Palestinian resistance. The fighters primarily relocated to Lebanon, a decision that would set the stage for further conflicts. In this new terrain, the PLO sought to regroup and redefine its strategies. The expulsion also birthed the Black September Organization, a militant offshoot that would garner infamy through high-profile operations like airplane hijackings and targeted assassinations. These actions aimed to draw global attention to the plight of the Palestinians, revealing the complexities and contradictions of armed struggle versus diplomatic initiatives.

Yet the implications of this forced relocation extended beyond immediate military tactics. The expulsion from Jordan led to increased instability in Lebanon, contributing to the simmering civil unrest that would erupt into the Lebanese Civil War in 1975. The Palestinian factions, once viewed as liberators, now became involved in a deadly conflict that further complicated the political landscape of the region.

Between the Six-Day War of 1967 and the more profound confrontations of the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the PLO sharpened its guerilla tactics while launching a series of operations against Israeli targets from their new bases in Lebanon. The memory of the Battle of Karameh loomed large, serving as an enduring source of morale for fighters eager to keep the flame of resistance alive. This asymmetric warfare, a stark contrast to the conventional military strategies of Israel, underscored the profound challenges faced by the PLO and similar movements. Their struggle, marked by ambushes and hit-and-run tactics, spoke to the larger narrative of oppression and resistance.

In the midst of warfare, daily life continued for both Palestinians and Jordanians. The aftermath of the battle at Karameh reverberated across cultural expressions, deeply affecting the poetry, music, and artistic narratives emerging from the region. Many took up the mantle of celebration, honoring the fedayeen as heroes and crafting narratives that would resonate through generations. Those who reflected on these events found a shared sense of unity and a resolve to memorialize their struggles, redefining what it meant to resist and endure.

Yet, amid these cultural triumphs, the brutal realities of the conflict persisted. The heavy toll exacted by the Jordanian military’s use of artillery left your heart heavy. The civilian casualties were staggering, highlighting the brutal nature of internal disputes often masked by political rhetoric. Grounded in this sadness was the understanding that war not only rips through the lives of the fighters but also devastates the very fabric of community.

In the broader context, the events of Black September shaped the trajectory of the Palestinian struggle for decades. The once unified image of the PLO began to splinter under the pressures of its expulsion from Jordan. The need to forge new alliances and navigate complex relationships with host countries became paramount. Yasser Arafat emerged as a key figure, consolidating his leadership during these tumultuous years, striving to unify divergent Palestinian factions under the PLO banner.

As the 1970s unfolded, the relocation of the PLO to Lebanon continued to provoke Israeli security concerns. Cross-border attacks proliferated, prompting fierce military responses from Israel. This escalating cycle of violence further entrenched animosities, entangling the region in a web of distrust that would prove difficult to untangle. What began as the fight for liberation now spiraled into a persistent cycle of conflict, affecting countless innocents on both sides of the border.

As we reflect on the legacy of Karameh and the events that followed, we witness a tale woven with complexity. The phrase "Karameh is the mother of all battles" emerged as a rallying cry among Palestinians, embodying defiance even in the face of overwhelming odds. The reverberations of that battle extend far beyond its immediate aftermath. They invite us to understand the perpetual struggle for dignity, identity, and self-determination experienced by those involved.

The conflict within Jordan not only highlighted the struggles of the PLO but exposed divisions in the Arab world itself. Some states rallied around Palestinian aspirations while others prioritized stability, revealing how the quest for independence could clash with state sovereignty. The lessons of this turbulent period echo across history, reminding us that conflict often solves nothing but creates a chorus of suffering.

In summation, the events that stretched from the fierce resilience shown at Karameh through the fierce waves of Black September formed a chapter in the Palestinian narrative, one marked by both tragedy and hope. They shaped strategies, alliances, and identities, influencing the Palestinian struggle well into the 1980s and beyond. As we close this reflection, we must ponder the narratives we carry forward. What do memories of resistance teach us about the nature of humanity and the relentless quest for justice? Will the dawn break over a fractured land, or will it remain shadowed by the burdens of the past? Through these questions, we find ourselves not just at the end of a story, but at the very beginning of understanding the formidable journey of a people continuing to fight for their place in history.