Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese teacher and a longstanding figure in the pro-Palestinian movement, is slated for release from a French prison after spending an extraordinary 41 years behind bars. Known as the "longest-serving prisoner related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," his impending freedom, set for Friday, is a significant moment for activists who have championed his cause.
Abdallah was convicted in 1987 for his involvement in the assassinations of two diplomats — one American and one Israeli — in France. Over the years, while he became somewhat forgotten by the broader public, he has remained a focal point of support for leftist groups, particularly those who identify with Marxist-Leninist ideologies. His image remained visible at various protests, and some municipalities in France have even declared him an "honorary citizen."
Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, Abdallah's requests have repeatedly been denied, a situation his supporters claim was influenced by pressure from the United States and Israel. In a recent interview from his prison cell, Abdallah expressed that his mental well-being throughout incarceration relied on his connection to the Palestinian struggle, emphasizing the importance of this focus to preserve his sanity during such a long period of confinement.
Born into a Christian family in Lebanon in 1951, Abdallah became involved in the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions during a tumultuous time for his country. His group targeted Israeli and U.S. interests in Europe, carrying out several attacks that culminated in the killings of diplomats in the early 1980s. After being apprehended in Lyon, his initial charges multiplied as new evidence emerged against him over time.
His conviction and subsequent sentence have sparked controversy and debate in France and beyond, especially following revelations about U.S. interference in his case over the years. Recently, a French appeal court ruled that the length of Abdallah's imprisonment was unjust, and while his release will allow him to return to Lebanon, it has been framed as a "political scandal" by his lawyer.
Among the notable supporters advocating for his freedom is Annie Ernaux, the 2022 Nobel laureate in literature, who decried the treatment Abdallah received as a matter of state justice that France should be ashamed of. As he prepares for this new chapter post-incarceration, Abdallah's case remains a symbol of the complex tensions surrounding justice, politics, and the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
