Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese national known for his staunch support of the Palestinian cause, is scheduled to be released from a French prison on Friday after serving an astounding 41 years behind bars. Dubbed as the individual who has endured the longest incarceration related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Abdallah is expected to be flown directly to his native Beirut.
Abdallah was convicted in 1987 for conspiracy in the killings of two diplomats — an American and an Israeli — on French soil. Over the years, he has faded from public consciousness, yet his case has remained a cause for activism among leftist groups, where he still holds a symbolic status. His image continued to appear on placards during protests, and annually, supporters congregated outside the prison to advocate for his release, with three municipalities notably declaring him an "honorary citizen."
Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, Abdallah's freedom was repeatedly denied, allegedly due to influence from the United States and Israel on the French government. In a recent interview, he revealed that he had coped with his lengthy imprisonment by remaining focused on the broader Palestinian movement, which he viewed as a source of mental resilience during such a prolonged confinement.
Born into a Christian family in northern Lebanon, Abdallah became involved in revolutionary activities during the late 1970s, ultimately helping to establish the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF). In the context of civil war, his group sought to target Israeli and U.S. interests in Europe. Their operations included the fatal attacks on diplomats in Paris and Strasbourg, alongside other violent actions attributed to the group.
Abdallah's troubles began in 1984 when he surrendered to French authorities, believing he was being followed by Israeli operatives. Initially, he faced charges related to possession of false documents and criminal association. However, after a highly publicized kidnapping incident in Lebanon, which led to negotiations for a French citizen's release, Abdallah's situation escalated when weapons were uncovered at his residence, including the firearm used in the diplomats’ murders.
Throughout his trial, Abdallah maintained his innocence concerning the murders while justifying their political motivations. The tumultuous backdrop, including a series of terrorist attacks in Paris at the time which were linked to external pressures concerning his case, further complicated his legal standing. Despite numerous attempts for release over the years, including a notable plea in 2013 from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Abdallah remained incarcerated — a situation his lawyer described as an ongoing political decision rather than purely judicial.
Late this year, a French appellate court deemed Abdallah's lengthy detention as "disproportionate" and recognized that he no longer posed a risk, a significant turn in a case marked by international scrutiny. His lawyer hailed the ruling as a triumph for justice but criticized the long-standing political machinations preventing his earlier release.
Among those advocating for Abdallah's freedom was esteemed author Annie Ernaux, who labeled him a "victim of state justice," while fellow political figures expressed regret over the treatment he endured, asserting that his imprisonment reflected a broader geopolitical dynamic involving France, the U.S., and the matter of Palestinian rights. Abdallah’s release follows a notable precedent: no Palestinian prisoner, irrespective of the severity of their offenses, has spent more than four decades in prison, underscoring the uniqueness of his lengthy sentence.
