Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese teacher and a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian movement, is scheduled to be released from prison in France on Friday, having spent an astonishing 41 years behind bars. Described by his attorney as the longest-serving prisoner for actions connected to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Abdallah is anticipated to fly to Beirut upon his release.
Convicted in 1987 for complicity in the murders of an American and an Israeli diplomat in France, Abdallah's name has faded from broader public consciousness over the years. However, among leftist and pro-Palestinian activists, his release has remained a focal point of mobilization. His image has become synonymous with calls for justice and solidarity in leftist demonstrations, and three municipalities in France have formally recognized him as an "honorary citizen."
Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, Abdallah’s numerous requests for release were repeatedly denied, a situation his supporters claim was the result of pressures exerted by the US and Israeli governments on French authorities. Recently, in an interview conducted by AFP from his cell, Abdallah shared how he maintained his mental health by remaining connected to the Palestinian struggle, stating, "If I had not had that… well, 40 years – it can turn your brain to mush."
Abdallah was born in 1951 into a Christian family in northern Lebanon. He was involved in the establishment of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) in the late 1970s, a small group that conducted operations against Israeli and US interests during a tumultuous civil war in Lebanon. The group carried out several attacks in France, leading to the fatal violence for which he was ultimately convicted.
Captured in Lyon in 1984 after voluntarily surrendering, Abdallah’s situation was complicated by a series of events, including the kidnapping of a French citizen in Lebanon and the discovery of weapons at his flat. Although he denied being involved in the murders during his trial, he justified their context, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Support for Abdallah's release grew over the years, highlighted by high-profile advocates, including Annie Ernaux, the 2022 Nobel Prize laureate, who labeled him a victim of political machinations. Even a former intelligence chief criticized the prolonged imprisonment, likening it to worse treatment than that of a serial killer, while reiterating the significant influence the US had in keeping Abdallah incarcerated.
Most recently, a French appeals court concluded that Abdallah's lengthy detention was "disproportionate," ruling that he no longer represented a threat. His release is contingent upon his immediate expulsion from France. As Abdallah prepares to leave prison, his case serves as a reminder of the blend of politics and justice amid complex geopolitical narratives, with implications for activists worldwide who rally for justice in similar contexts.
