George Habash (Arabic جورج حبش) (born August 2, 1926 in Lod), sometimes known by his nom de guerre Al-Hakim, الحكيم, meaning "the doctor", is a Palestinian politician, formerly a militant, and the founder and former Secretary-General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. August 2 is the 214th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (215th in leap years), with 151 days remaining. ... Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... Downtown area of Lod Lod (Hebrew לוֹד; Arabic اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd, Greco-Latin Lydda, Tiberian Hebrew לֹד Lōḏ) is a city in the Center District of Israel in Israel. ... A pseudonym or allonym is a name (sometimes legally adopted, sometimes purely fictitious) used by an individual as an alternative to their birth name. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) (Arabic الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين - al-jabhah al-sha`biyyah li-tahrÄ«r filastÄ«n) is a Marxist-Leninist, nationalist Palestinian political and military organization, founded in 1967. ...

Early years

The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page.

He was born in Lydda (today's Lod) to Greek Orthodox parents. Habash was a medical student when he visited his family during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. In July 1948, his family was expelled at gunpoint, along with the entire population of Lydda by the Israeli army. The former residents of Lydda, over 10,000 civilians, were forced to march to the Arab front lines in what became known as the Lydda Death March, so called because hundreds died in the scorching heat, from exhaustion, dehydration and disease. ^[1] Following the expulsions of civilians, the towns of Lydda and Ramle were looted by mobs of Jewish civilians and soldiers, in what David Ben-Gurion described as a total breakdown of Army discipline. Habash and his family became refugees, and Israel passed laws which confiscated the Habash family home and property, along with the homes and property of the other 700,000 Palestinians who were the victims of Israeli ethnic cleansing in 1948. After the Israeli War of Independence, Israel refused to allow the refugees to return to their homes, in violation of international law and the Geveva Conventions. Israeli policy was to shoot any former residents who tried to return to their former homes. Image File history File links Circle-question-red. ... Downtown area of Lod Lod (Hebrew לוֹד; Arabic اَلْلُدّْ al-Ludd, Greco-Latin Lydda, Tiberian Hebrew לֹד Lōḏ) is a city in the Center District of Israel in Israel. ... The Eastern Orthodox Church is a Christian body that views itself: as the historical continuation of the original Christian community established by Jesus Christ and the Twelve Apostles. ... Combatants Egypt Syria Transjordan  Lebanon Saudi Arabia Iraq Holy War Army Arab Liberation Army  Israel Commanders Glubb Pasha Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni† Hasan Salama† Fawzi al-Qawuqji Yaakov Dori Yigael Yadin Strength Egypt: 10,000 initially rising to 20,000 Iraq: 5,000 initially rising to 15,000–18... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Habash was a medical student at The American University of Beirut, where he met Wadie Haddad. After graduating first in his class in 1951, he worked in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan, and ran a clinic together with Haddad in Amman. He was a founding member of the Arab Nationalist Movement in 1951, which was inspired by Nasserism and other Pan Arab and Arab Socialist doctrines. He was implicated in the 1957 coup attempt in Jordan, which had originated among Palestinian members of the National Guard. Habash was convicted in absentia, after having gone underground when King Hussein proclaimed martial law and banned all political parties in response. In 1958 he fled to Syria (then part of the United Arab Republic), but was forced to return to Beirut in 1961 by the tumultuous break-up of the UAR. The American University of Beirut (AUB; Arabic: ‎) is a private, independent, non-sectarian university in Beirut, Lebanon. ... Wadie Haddad (b. ... In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a Palestinian refugee is a refugee from Palestine created by the Palestinian Exodus, which Palestinians call the Nakba (Arabic: ‎, meaning disaster or catastrophe). The United Nations definition of a Palestinian refugee is a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and... For other meanings, see Amman (disambiguation) and Ammann. ... The Arab Nationalist Movement (Harakat al-Qawmiyyin al-Arab), also known as the Movement of Arab Nationalists and the Harakiyyin, was a pan-Arab nationalist organization influential in much of the Arab world, most famously so within the Palestinian movement. ... President Gamal Abdel Nasser Nasserism is an Arab nationalist political ideology based on the thinking of the former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser. ... Pan-Arabism is a movement for unification among the Arab peoples and nations of the Middle East. ... Arab Socialism (ar. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Hussein bin Talal (Arabic: حسين بن طلال) (November 14, 1935 - February 7, 1999) was the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 1952 to 1999. ... For other uses, see Martial law (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ...

The Popular Front

In 1964, he began reorganizing the ANM, regrouping the Palestinian members of the organization into a "regional command". After the Six-Day War in 1967, disillusion with Nasser became widespread. This prompted the transformation, led by Habash, of the Palestinian ANM into the radical Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) on December 11, when he also became its first Secretary-General. Habash was briefly imprisoned in Syria in 1968, but escaped. In the same year, he also came into conflict with long-time ally Wadie Haddad, but both remained in the PFLP. Combatants Israel Active: Egypt Syria Jordan Aided by: Iraq  Kuwait  Saudi Arabia  Sudan  Algeria Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) (Arabic الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين - al-jabhah al-sha`biyyah li-tahrÄ«r filastÄ«n) is a Marxist-Leninist, nationalist Palestinian political and military organization, founded in 1967. ...

At a 1969 congress, the PFLP re-designated itself a Marxist-Leninist movement, and has remained a Communist organization ever since. Its Pan Arab leanings have been diminished since the ANM days, but popular support for a united Arab front has remained, especially in regards to Israeli and western political pressures. It held a hard-line stance on Israel, demanding the complete eradication of the "Zionist entity" through military struggle, favoring a Palestinian and Arab state, while totally opposing any negotiations or compromise with, or recognition of, Israel. Vladimir Lenin in 1920 Leninism is a political and economic theory which builds upon Marxism; it is a branch of Marxism (and it has been the dominant branch of Marxism in the world since the 1920s). ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... Pan-Arabism is a movement for unification among the Arab peoples and nations of the Middle East. ...

The 1969 congress also saw an ultra-leftist faction under Nayef Hawatmeh and Yasser Abd Rabbo split off as the PDFLP, later to become the DFLP. During Habash's time as Secretary-General, the PFLP became known as one of the most radical and militant Palestinian factions, and gained world notoriety after a string of airplane hijackings masterminded by Haddad. The PFLP's pioneering of modern international terrorism brought the group, and the Palestinian issue, onto newspaper front pages worldwide, but it also provoked intense criticism from other parts of the Palestinian Liberation Organization. Naif Hawatmeh Nayef Hawatmeh (kunya Abu an-Nuf, b. ... Palestinian politician (b. ... The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Al-Jabhah al-Dimuqratiyah Li-Tahrir Filastin) is a Marxist-Leninist organization, which was founded in 1969 when it split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). ... Aircraft hijacking (also known as Skyjacking) is the take-over of an aircraft, by a person or group, usually armed. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the...

Black September

The PFLP ignored tensions with the mainstream leadership of Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, and instead focused on bringing about revolutionary change in Jordan, where the Palestinian guerrilla movement was headquartered at the time. Habash expressed the opinion that what proceeded was ‘’not only military but also psychological warfare’’ and one had to ’’hold the Israelis under permanent pressure’’. ^[2] This article is about the Palestinian leader. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... The storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 during the French Revolution. ... Look up guerrilla in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

This created friction with the authorities, and the Dawson's Field hijackings of 1970 were instrumental in provoking the Black September crackdown, which came close to destroying the PLO. As a result, the PFLP was heavily criticised, and internally, Wadie Haddad was accused of embarrassing the movement, and politically sidelined. The PFLP in 1970 renounced international terrorism, but a faction led by Haddad (the PFLP-EO) continued to carry out operations abroad, with the PFLP leadership doing little to prevent it. In autumn 1970, Habash visited Beijing. Main article: Black September in Jordan The Dawsons Field hijacking occurred on September 6, 1970. ... This article, Black September in Jordan, describes the events surrounding September, 1970 in Jordan. ... The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - External Operations (PFLP-EO) was an organizational name used by Palestinian radical Wadie Haddad when engaging in international terrorism. ...   (Chinese:  ; Pinyin: BÄ›ijÄ«ng; IPA: ), a metropolis in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ...

After Black September, the PLO fedayeen relocated to Lebanon. In 1972, Habash experienced failing health, and gradually began to lose his centrality within the organization. The Palestinian National Council's (PNC) adoption of a resolution viewed by the PFLP as a first step towards a two-state solution in 1974, prompted Habash to lead his organization out of active participation in the PLO and to join the Iraqi-backed Rejectionist Front. Only in 1977 would the PFLP opt to rejoin, as the Palestinian factions rallied their forces in opposition to Anwar Sadat's peace overtures towards Israel. During the Lebanese Civil War that broke out in 1975, PFLP forces were heavily decimated in battle against Syria and its Christian militia and Lebanese government allies. Later, the PFLP would draw close to Syria, as alliances shifted, but PFLP involvement in the Lebanese war remained strong until the U.S.-negotiated evacuation of PLO units from Beirut in 1982, and continued on a smaller scale after that. Fedayeen (from Arabic fidāī, plural fidāīyÄ«n فدائيون, one who is ready to sacrifice his life for the cause) describes several distinct, primarily Arab groups at different times in history. ... The Palestinian National Council (PNC) is the parliament in exile of the Palestinian people. ... The two-state solution is the name for a class of proposed resolutions of the long-running Arab-Israeli conflict now explicitly backed by the Israeli and United States governments. ... The Rejectionist Front, official name Front of the Palestinian Forces Rejecting Solutions of Surrender, was a political coalition formed in 1974 by hardline Palestinian factions. ... Muhammad Anwar Al-Sadat (محمد أنورالسادات in Arabic) (December 25, 1918 – October 6, 1981) was an Egyptian politician and served as the third President of Egypt from September 28, 1970 until his assassination on October 6, 1981. ... Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant (see Hebrews 8:6). ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from...

Relations with the mainstream PLO remained as poor as ever, and when Arafat was caught off-guard by the Syrian-backed Abu Musa rebellion within his Fatah movement in 1983, the PFLP declared itself neutral, as Syrian Army and Syrian-aligned Lebanese and Palestinian militias (such as Amal, as-Sa'iqa and Syrian-controlled PLA brigades) pounded PLO positions. Abu Musa or Gap-Sabzu (in Persian ابوموسی) is an island in the eastern Persian Gulf that now belongs to Iran. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... For other uses of Amal, see the disambiguation page. ... As-Saiqa (Arabic: الصاعقة meaning thunderbolt) is a Palestinian political and military faction supported by Syria. ... The acronym PLA may mean: Palestine Liberation Army Peoples Liberation Army of the Peoples Republic of China, the worlds largest military. ...

In 1980, Habash had had a severe stroke, and due to his consistently poor health, he lost influence within the PFLP, with younger members stepping up to assume greater responsibilities. During this time, Habash lived in Damascus, Syria, and the PFLP neared the Syrian Ba'thist regime of Hafez al-Assad, united by the common interest of opposing Yasser Arafat's increasingly moderate positions on Israel. In 1992, however, Habash was in poor health, and left Damascus to return to Amman. A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA),[1] is an acute neurological injury in which the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted. ... Damascus at sunset Damascus ( translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the largest city of Syria and is also the capital. ... Bath Party flag The Arab Socialist Bath Party (also spelled Baath or Baath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي) was founded in 1945 as a radical, left-wing, secular Arab nationalist political party. ... Hafez al-Assad (Arabic: ‎ ) (October 6, 1930-June 10, 2000) was president of Syria for three decades. ...

The Oslo Agreement

After the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993, Habash and the PFLP again broke completely with Arafat, accusing him of selling out the Palestinian revolution. The group set up an anti-Arafat and anti-Oslo alliance in Damascus, for the first time joined by such non-PLO Islamist groups as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which had grown to prominence during the First Intifada. After finding the position sterile, with Palestinian political dynamics playing out on the West Bank and Gaza areas of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Habash carefully sought to repair ties to Arafat, and gain a hold in post-Oslo politics without compromising PFLP principles. This balancing act couldn't save the PFLP from being eclipsed by the militant Islamist factions on the one hand, and the resource-rich Fatah with its PNA patronage network on the other. The significance of the PFLP in Palestinian politics has diminished considerably since the mid-90s. The PFLP participated in the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006 as the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa List winning 4.2% of the popular vote. The storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789 during the French Revolution. ... Islamism is a political ideology derived from the conservative religious views of Muslim fundamentalism. ... Hamas (Arabic: ‎; acronym: Arabic: ‎, or Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya or Islamic Resistance Movement; the Arabic acronym means zeal) is a Palestinian Islamist terrorist group that currently (since January 2006) forms the majority party of the Palestinian National Authority. ... The emblem of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad shows a map of the land they claim as Palestine (roughly, present-day Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) superimposed on the images of the Dome of the Rock, two fists and two rifles. ... The First Intifada, or Palestinian uprising refers to a series of violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis between 1987 and approximately 1990. ... Map of the Gaza Strip from The World Factbook. ... Anthem: Biladi Capital Ramallah and Gaza de facto, as the current location of government institutions. ... Wikinews has news related to this article: Hamas wins Palestinian election On January 25, 2006, elections were held for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), the legislature of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). ...

In the late 1990s, Habash's medical condition worsened, but he still refused to set foot in the Palestinian territories so as not to give the impression of legitimizing the Oslo Accords. In 2000, he resigned from the post as Secretary-General, citing health reasons, He was succeeded as head of the PFLP by Abu Ali Mustafa. Habash went on to set up a PFLP-affiliated research center, but he remains active in the PFLP's internal politics. He is still popular among many Palestinians, who appreciate his revolutionary ideology, his determination and strong principles, the rejection of the Oslo Agreement or his carefully groomed intellectual style. Others, especially of course Israelis, view him rather as a communist thug, and one of the most lethal terrorists of the 20th century. This article is about the Palestinian territories as a geopolitical phenomenon. ... Abu Ali Mustafa (Arabic:ابو علي مصطفى), dates (1938 to August 27, 2001), the nom de guerre of Mustafa Zibri, was a Palestinian leader and was general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine from July 2000 until he was assassinated by Israeli forces the following year. ...

References

1. ^ Benny Morris (1989). The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem, 1947-1949. Cambridge University Press, pg. 204-11. ISBN 0-521-33889-1. 
2. ^ ‘’Aziya i Afrika segodnya’’ -- cited in edition ‘’Välispanoraam 1972’’, Tallinn, 1973, lk 129 (‘’Foreign Panorama 1972’’)

External link:

• A Visit With George Habash: Still the Prophet of Arab Nationalism and Armed Struggle Against Israel, By Grace Halsell, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, September 1998, pages 49, 136