Forty-three years ago on Tuesday, the Fatah terrorist group carried out its first attack on Israel. The group attempted to bomb the National Water Carrier on January 1, 1965, but the attack was foiled. The group continued its bombing attacks throughout the year.
A group of future Fatah leaders, including Yasser Arafat, decided to form the group in 1959. However, the group celebrated 43 years since its founding on Monday in honor of the first attack on Israel. Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas spoke at celebrations in Ramallah. Celebrations in Gaza led to a shootout with Hamas in which at least six people were killed and over 60 were wounded.
While the Fatah group now claims that its battle with Israel was caused by the “occupation” of lands that were controlled by Jordan and Egypt between 1948 and 1967, the group was founded and began its attacks years before the areas reverted to Israeli control.