Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese educator and a prominent figure in leftist politics, has been released from a French prison after serving 41 years for his involvement in the murders of two diplomats in the 1980s. Abdallah’s release on Friday has reignited discussions surrounding his legacy as a symbol of the Palestinian struggle, despite his fading presence in public attention over the decades.
Abdallah, who was imprisoned since his conviction in 1987, has gained notoriety as the individual with the longest sentence related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His departure from Lannemezan prison in southern France marks a significant moment, as he is scheduled to be deported to Lebanon. Supporters viewed his imprisonment as a cause worthy of attention, holding protests annually outside his confinement and recognizing him with honorary citizenship in left-leaning French municipalities.
Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, successful requests for his release were repeatedly denied, a situation supporters attributed to the influence of the United States and Israel on the French government. In a recent interview, Abdallah echoed sentiments of resilience, stating he maintained his sanity by focusing on the Palestinian cause during his imprisonment, where he decorated his cell with images of revolutionary figures and letters from supporters.
Born in Lebanon in 1951, Abdallah aligned himself with leftist movements during the Lebanese Civil War, co-founding the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) aimed at targeting Israeli and U.S. interests in Europe. His group's activities in France led to the assassination of U.S. diplomat Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yakov Barsimantov. Although arrested in 1984 under the suspicion of harboring false documents, his release was thwarted when authorities found a hidden cache of weapons in his apartment linked to the diplomats' murders.
The backdrop of his trial included a wave of attacks in Paris, which ultimately influenced public and political sentiment against him, further complicating prospects for his release. Despite his denials of direct involvement in the murders, he faced a life sentence. Over time, various appeals for his release encountered opposition at multiple levels, including intervention from U.S. officials.
Finally, in a landmark decision, a French court acknowledged the excessive duration of Abdallah’s detention and deemed him no longer a security threat. His attorney characterized the situation as a judicial victory overshadowed by the political maneuvers preventing his earlier release. Advocacy for his freedom has included notable figures such as 2022 Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, who criticized the French justice system’s handling of his case.
Yves Bonnet, a former intelligence chief involved in negotiations related to Abdallah, remarked on the disproportionate treatment he received compared to other offenders. Notably, comparisons have been drawn between his sentence and the longevity of imprisonment faced by Palestinian prisoners, with reports illustrating that none have matched Abdallah’s 41-year term. His release poses broader questions about justice, accountability, and the ongoing effects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.