Palestinian Popular Struggle Front
Encyclopedia
The Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF, occasionally abbr. PSF), (Arabic
, jabhat al-nidal al-sha'biyya al-filastini), is a militant Palestinian organization. The group was led by Dr.
Samir Ghawshah
until his death in 2009. Despite holding a seat in the executive council in the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO), PPSF is generally considered to have a very limited influence over Palestinian politics.
in 1967, following a split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
(PFLP). It had close ties to Fatah
, and in 1971 it officially became a Fatah-affiliated organization. It fell out with the Yasir Arafat leadership in Fatah in 1973, and left the organization to act independently. In 1974 it took a further step, leaving the PLO to become a founding member of the Rejectionist Front
, in protest of the increasingly moderate politics of Arafat.
In the 1970s the PPSF hijacked airplanes, and also attacked civilian Israeli passengers in Athens
Airport in 1969.
Initially close to Egypt
after its break with Fatah, it eventually slipped into decline. In 1982 it was revived jointly by Syria
and Libya
, in an attempt to bolster hardliner and anti-Arafat forces in the PLO (Syria was simultaneously fighting the PLO in Lebanon
).
Members of the PPSF were mentioned as possible suspects in the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing, believed to have been orchestrated by the Libyan regime, but Samir Ghawshah denied the charges.
and the concept of negotiations with Israel
. Ghawshah gained a seat on the PLO executive committee. The PPSF was however divided into two, the main group led by Ghawshah which accepted the Palestinian National Authority
(PNA), and Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid
's parallel PPSF
opposing it from exile in Damascus
, Syria.
PPSF took part in the 1996 Palestinian legislative elections
with 12 candidates. Together they got 0.76% of the national vote.
It took part in the 2006 Palestine elections under the label "Freedom and Social Justice
", but failed to win a seat. In total their list got 7 127 votes (0.72%).
The PPSF maintains four front organizations; the Workers Struggle Bloc, Palestinian Struggle Youth Union
, Students Struggle Bloc, Women's Struggle Bloc and Teachers Struggle Bloc.
PPSF publishes Sawt an-Nidhal (Voice of the Struggle).
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, jabhat al-nidal al-sha'biyya al-filastini), is a militant Palestinian organization. The group was led by Dr.
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
Samir Ghawshah
Samir Ghawshah
Samir Ghawshah also spelled Samir Ghosha , was a Palestinian politician and militia leader. He was the head of the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front and member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee...
until his death in 2009. Despite holding a seat in the executive council in the Palestine Liberation Organization
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
(PLO), PPSF is generally considered to have a very limited influence over Palestinian politics.
Initial history
The PPSF was founded as the Palestinian Popular Struggle Organization (PPSO) in the West BankWest Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
in 1967, following a split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is a Palestinian Marxist-Leninist organisation founded in 1967. It has consistently been the second-largest of the groups forming the Palestine Liberation Organization , the largest being Fatah...
(PFLP). It had close ties to Fatah
Fatah
Fataḥ is a major Palestinian political party and the largest faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization , a multi-party confederation. In Palestinian politics it is on the left-wing of the spectrum; it is mainly nationalist, although not predominantly socialist. Its official goals are found...
, and in 1971 it officially became a Fatah-affiliated organization. It fell out with the Yasir Arafat leadership in Fatah in 1973, and left the organization to act independently. In 1974 it took a further step, leaving the PLO to become a founding member of the Rejectionist Front
Rejectionist Front
The Rejectionist Front or Front of the Palestinian Forces Rejecting Solutions of Surrender was a political coalition formed in 1974 by radical Palestinian factions who rejected the Ten Point Program adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization in its 12th Palestinian National Congress ...
, in protest of the increasingly moderate politics of Arafat.
In the 1970s the PPSF hijacked airplanes, and also attacked civilian Israeli passengers in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
Airport in 1969.
Initially close to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
after its break with Fatah, it eventually slipped into decline. In 1982 it was revived jointly by Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, in an attempt to bolster hardliner and anti-Arafat forces in the PLO (Syria was simultaneously fighting the PLO in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
).
Members of the PPSF were mentioned as possible suspects in the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing, believed to have been orchestrated by the Libyan regime, but Samir Ghawshah denied the charges.
Reconciliation with PLO and PNA politics
In 1991 was allowed to rejoin the PLO after accepting United Nations Security Council Resolution 242United Nations Security Council Resolution 242
United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on November 22, 1967, in the aftermath of the Six Day War. It was adopted under Chapter VIof the United Nations Charter...
and the concept of negotiations with Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Ghawshah gained a seat on the PLO executive committee. The PPSF was however divided into two, the main group led by Ghawshah which accepted the Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
(PNA), and Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid
Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid
Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid is a Palestinian politician and militia leader. Since 1992, he heads a breakaway faction of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front , a minor left-wing group within the Palestine Liberation Organization ....
's parallel PPSF
Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (1991)
The Palestinian Popular Struggle Front is a Palestinian political faction led by Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid. The group emerged in 1991, as a split from the original Palestinian Popular Struggle Front...
opposing it from exile in Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Syria.
PPSF took part in the 1996 Palestinian legislative elections
Palestinian legislative and presidential election, 1996
On January 20, 1996, elections took place in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem for President of the Palestinian National Authority , and for members of the Palestinian Legislative Council , the legislative arm of the PNA....
with 12 candidates. Together they got 0.76% of the national vote.
It took part in the 2006 Palestine elections under the label "Freedom and Social Justice
Freedom and Social Justice
Freedom and Social Justice was a coalition that contested the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. It was constituted by Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, Kafi Movement and the Palestinian Green Party....
", but failed to win a seat. In total their list got 7 127 votes (0.72%).
Front organizations
Palestinian Struggle Youth Union
The Palestinian Struggle Youth Union is a youth organization in the Palestinian territories. It is the youth wing of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front. Razak an-Namurah is the president of the organization....
, Students Struggle Bloc, Women's Struggle Bloc and Teachers Struggle Bloc.
PPSF publishes Sawt an-Nidhal (Voice of the Struggle).
External links
- PPSF homepage (ArabicArabic languageArabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
) - Collection of PPSF posters