Fatah

American  

[faht-ah, fuh-tah] / ˈfɑt ɑ, fəˈtɑ /

noun

1. a Palestinian political party advocating Palestinian independence and self-rule.

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Fatah British  

/ ˈfætə /

noun

1. a Palestinian terrorist organization, founded in 1956, with the aim of destroying the state of Israel: it has splintered into rival factions since 1988

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Etymology

Origin of Fatah

First recorded in 1965–70; vocalization of Arabic FTḤ, abbreviation of Ḥarakat al-Taḥrīr al-Waṭanī al-Filasṭīn “Palestinian National Liberation Movement,” from ḥarakat, form of ḥarakah “movement” + taḥrīr “liberation” + waṭanī “national” + Filasṭīn Palestine ( def. ); coined by reversing the elements and shortening ḤTWF to form FTḤ as a pun on fatḥ “opening, victory”

Example Sentences

Candidates from the two lists that got the most votes were independents or associated with factions within Fatah, the political party that runs the Palestinian Authority, which organized the elections.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Tirawi said that after consulting with other Fatah figures, he decided to make the issue public, warning that if the situation persists he would disclose details of specific cases to the media.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Fatah, the historic Palestinian movement, appears more incapable than ever of shaping events, according to observers.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

“I’m tired, but thank God for everything,” said Yahya Nimr Ahmad Ibrahim, a Fatah member arrested in 2003 and sentenced to 23 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Fatah sought out his young brother, Dost Mohammed, gave him in charge to a trusty adherent, fixed an income for his support, and marched away to besiege Qandhar, which he took by escalade.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846 by Various