Palestinians around the world remember Dr. (PFLP) By Edward Campbell

MISSOULA, Jan. 29 (Al-Masakin)—Dr. ruling out a normalization of ties with the George Habash (Al-Hakim) former Jewish state and accusing him of making too Secretary General of the Popular Front for many concessions. He opposed Arafat’s the Liberation of (PFLP) was 1993 Oslo autonomy deal and refused to mourned by Palestinian’s the world over return to the Palestinian territories after the after he was lain to rest after an open casket launch of autonomy in 1994, while insisting funeral at a on the right of Greek return of Palestinian Orthodox refugees to their Church in former homes in Amman, . Jordan Jan. 28. Mr. Habash His funeral was died of natural attended by causes in the prominent capitol, where Palestinian leaders, he had been friends, family, and living since comrades such as 1992, Jan. 27. his daughters and He retired from the leadership of the PFLP his widow Hilda Habash, longtime friend in July 2000 after having led the leftist and comrade Leila Khaled, DFLP leader faction which is a key component of the Nayef Hawatmeh, PFLP politburo leader Palestine Liberation Organization for more Maher Taher, Israeli Knesset member than 30 years. He was 80 years of age. Ahmad Tibi, head of the Palestinian National Council Saleem al-Za’anoun and His successor Abu Ali Mustafa was leader Faruq Qaddumi, inter alios. assassinated by Israel in Ramallah one year later. Ahmed Saadat, the current PFLP Abu Mazen, lame duck Palestinian President, secretary general, is held in Israeli prison on declared three days of mourning and the charges of planning the assassination of Palestinian flag lowered to half-mast in former tourism minister Rahba’am Ze’evi in recognition of this great leader. Islamic retaliation to the murder of Abu Ali Mustafa. Jihad organization expressed deep sorrow at the loss. The movement said losing Habash Mr. Habash was a fierce opponent of the meant losing a major symbol of the policy of compromise of PLO chief Arafat, Palestinian and Arab people. Islamic Jihad praised Habash for a lifetime leader” the Ma’an news agency reported on of resistance and struggle against the Israeli Monday. occupation, for rejecting American views With PFLP SG Ahmad Sadaat imprisoned, towards the Palestinian question, and for his the prominence of Maher Taher at the role in founding funeral suggests that he will the Arab very likely be taking a National greater role in the leadership Movement. of the party, not a leadership crisis as some may have The Secretary anticipated. That the funeral General of the of a recognized Marxist Palestinian leader took place, however, National in a Greek Orthodox Church Initiative, flies in the face of ham-fisted Mustafa pundits of atheism within the Barghouthi, ICM underscores how that also the former Palestinian minister of movement has persistently information, traveled to Amman to attend misunderstood the Palestinian cause and the the funeral. Barghouthi said Habash was a critical nature of understanding the phrase symbol of the Palestinian struggle and a “Holy Land” in relation to it. Who has not tireless advocate of Palestinians’ rights. eulogized this great man with in the left have said as much as those who have. There were several symbolic funerals in the and the Gaza Strip in which Indeed on the level of metaphysical mourners took to the streets carrying Habash ontology, the persistent use of the word posters. Speaking at a rally in Jenin in the “Arab” by the PFLP, and others within the northern West Bank, Jenin Governor Arab Nationalist movement, particularly the Qaddora Mousa said that with the death of PLO, signifies how that movement, and Habash, Palestinian national unity has lost those on the left united with them, have one of its pillars. Also in Jenin, Amir As- sought to conceal much deeper and Sa’di spoke on behalf of the Palestinian fundamental ties to Christianity and, National and Islamic Forces by Amir As- moreover, with its principal architects of Sa’di who promised that the Palestinian Communism having themselves been forces will follow in Habash’s steps until Christians, how Christianity has played a they achieve Palestinian national goals. role in the ideological development of Socialism and indeed made the development The political bureau of a PFLP offshoot, the of communist ideology even possible. Popular Front for the Liberation of Understanding the fundamentally religious Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) nature of this land and this conflict is issued a statement expressing their sadness imperative for those who seek to unite with for the departure of Al-Hakim as well as it. pride for being under his command before they established the General Command as a God bless you Mr. Habash. Best wishes to separate faction. The Union of UNRWA the PFLP and the Palestinian people. employees in Lebanon also expressed sorrow for the loss of “a historic Palestinian Al-Masakin News Agency