Founder of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Marxist-Leninist organization that advocated for the liberation of Palestine through armed struggle, known for hijacking planes and orchestrating international attacks.
Habash was born on August 1, 1926, in Lydda, Mandatory Palestine, to a Greek Orthodox Christian Palestinian family. As a child, he sang in the church choir and grew up to be an exceptional student. He pursued his medical degree at the American University of Beirut, where he graduated first in his class in 1951.
In 1948, Habash, then a 19-year-old medical student, returned to his hometown of Lydda during the Arab-Israeli War. However, he witnessed the traumatic events that led to the Lydda Death March, where his family and thousands of others were forced to leave their homes. This experience had a profound impact on Habash, shaping his political beliefs and fuelling his determination to fight for the Palestinian cause.
In 1967, after being sidelined by Yasser Arafat in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Habash founded the PFLP, a Marxist-Leninist organization that opposed the existence of Israel and advocated for a single, democratic, and secular state in the region. The PFLP's radical ideology and militant tactics often put it at odds with the PLO and other Palestinian factions.
In 1970, Habash masterminded the hijackings of four Western airliners to Jordan, which led to the Black September conflict. This daring operation brought international attention to the Palestinian cause but also led to Habash's exile to Lebanon.
Habash remained committed to his political beliefs, opposing the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993 and continuing to advocate for a single, democratic, and secular state. Due to ill health, he resigned as secretary general of the PFLP in 2000 and passed away on January 26, 2008, after a heart attack.
Habash's Marxist-Leninist ideology and his commitment to the Palestinian cause have had a lasting impact on modern Palestinian politics. His legacy continues to inspire and influence Palestinian activists and politicians today.
George Habash's life was a testament to his unwavering dedication to the Palestinian cause. His legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of Palestinians, and his contributions to the Palestinian struggle for liberation will never be forgotten.
90 Years Old
Founded the Palestinian nationalist political party Fatah, leading militant resistance against Israel and playing a key role in shaping the Palestinian liberation movement.
