Definition

Proper noun A major Palestinian political and military organization, founded in the late 1950s, which has historically been a leading force in the Palestinian national movement. It was the dominant faction within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and has been involved in both political and armed struggle.

Usage and Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Fatah was founded by Yasser Arafat.
  • The political party Fatah is a key player in Palestinian affairs.
  • Negotiations involved representatives from Fatah and other groups.

Advanced Usage and Context

• Historical Context: Fatah's founding is central to modern Palestinian history. It originally emphasized armed struggle but later engaged in diplomatic negotiations.
• Organizational Role: Fatah is not just a political party but was also a broad national movement. It led the PLO for decades and later formed the core of the Palestinian Authority.

Variants and Related Words

• al-Fatah: An alternative transliteration of the organization's name from Arabic.
• Fatah Revolutionary Council: A name sometimes used for the organization or its governing body.
• Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO): The umbrella organization which Fatah led.

Synonyms and Related Terms

• Palestinian National Liberation Movement: This is the official full name of Fatah.
• PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization): While not a direct synonym, Fatah is the leading faction within the PLO, so the terms are closely associated.

Notes on Meaning

The term refers specifically to the organization. It is distinct from: - The Arabic word "fatah" (فتح), which means "conquest" or "opening." The organization's name is an acronym reversed from "Harakat al-Tahrir al-Watani al-Filastini" (Palestinian National Liberation Movement), but it also intentionally echoes the Arabic word for "opening" or "victory."

Noun

1. a Palestinian political and military organization founded by Yasser Arafat in 1958 to work toward the creation of a Palestinian state; during the 1960s and 1970s trained terrorist and insurgent groups
   • al-Fatah carried out numerous acts of international terrorism in western Europe and the Middle East in the 1970s