Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese teacher and iconic figure for pro-Palestinian activism, was released from a French prison on Friday after serving 41 years. Known for being the longest-serving prisoner tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Abdallah was released early Friday morning and is expected to return to Lebanon via flight.
Abdallah was convicted in 1987 for his role in the murders of two diplomats, one American and one Israeli, in France. While he has faded from mainstream consciousness, his case remained a point of reference for leftist activists, who held annual demonstrations demanding his release. Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, his requests were continuously denied, allegedly due to pressure from the U.S. and Israel.
Throughout his imprisonment, Abdallah drew strength from his focus on the Palestinian liberation struggle, as he kept portraits and memorabilia related to revolutionary figures and activism around him. Born in 1951, he co-founded the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) to oppose Israeli actions in Lebanon during its troubling civil war era. His group's operations led to the death of the diplomats and left him facing life in prison.
Attempts at release faced challenges, notably after U.S. officials intervened. This year, however, a court ruled that his sentence had been excessively long and determined that he no longer posed a threat to society, enabling his release to coincide with his deportation from France.
Abdallah’s release has sparked a mix of celebration and political debate, with some viewing it as a long-overdue act of justice, while others question the influence foreign powers had on his incarceration. Notably, literary figures like 2022 Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux advocated for Abdallah's release, condemning France's judicial practices. As he prepares to leave France, Abdallah becomes a symbol of the enduring struggle for justice and human rights.
