How significant was the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) to developments in the peace process? Explain your answer.

Yes
Created in 1964 by joining of Palestinian groups including Al-Fatah; dedicated to the return of the Palestinian homeland; PLO recruited from refugee camps; Arafat invited to address UN Assembly in 1974 and was able to spread awareness of Palestinian cause and refugee crisis; Arafat increasingly turned to diplomacy and built better relations with the USA and Jordan; financial support from Saudi Arabia in 1978; 1974 PLO recognised as sole representative of the Palestinian people; granted observer status by the UN in 1975; backing from African and Asian states - UN resolution condemned Zionism as a form of racialism in 1975; Declaration of Principles agreed between Arafat and Rabin in 1993 led to Oslo Accords; led to creation of new Palestinian Authority, etc.

No
1970s terrorism from extremists within the PLO such as Black September; PLO marginalised during the Lebanese War and forced to flee the region; PLO support for Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War; expansion of Israeli settlements in Gaza and West Bank led to increased Palestinian militancy, e.g. Hamas; more significant - impact of 1973 Yom Kippur War; role of Sadat and Begin at Camp David; role of President Carter; role of USA and United Nations; continuation of the refugee crisis; oil weapon; intifadas, etc.