Marseille, France – Palestinian flags and banners of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) were prominently displayed during a protest in Marseille on Monday, as demonstrators demanded the release of Georges Abdallah, a prominent activist who has been held in French prisons for over three decades.
The protest, organized by various leftist and pro-Palestinian groups, drew attention to Abdallah’s imprisonment, which has been a longstanding point of contention among human rights advocates. Georges Abdallah, a Lebanese militant and member of the PFLP, was convicted in 1987 for his involvement in the assassination of two diplomats in Paris—a charge he denies. Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, his release has been consistently blocked, citing concerns over public safety and international relations.
Speakers at the rally emphasized Abdallah’s continued incarceration as a symbol of political repression. "Georges Abdallah is a freedom fighter who has been unjustly detained for defending the Palestinian cause," one activist declared. Protesters chanted slogans and carried signs demanding his immediate release, framing his case as part of a broader struggle for Palestinian liberation.
The demonstration underscores growing tensions in France over free speech, international solidarity, and state responses to political activism. While some view Abdallah as a hero of resistance, others criticize the rally for its alignment with the PFLP, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States.
Authorities in Marseille maintained a visible presence during the protest but reported no incidents of violence or unrest.
