The Mackenzie Institute
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
Description/History:
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine emerged in 1967 after the Six Day War as a Palestinian nationalist, Marxist-Leninist group. The PFLP advocates a single pan-Arab state reorganized along Marxist lines and has usually rejected negotiations with Israel and more moderate Arab nationalists, including Fatah, as well as conservative Arab states and Western influences in general.
The PFLP joined the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1968 and remains the second largest member. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of Islamism weakened the group significantly, but its membership in the PLO allows it to retain some political power.
The group maintains an armed wing, the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades. Support for the PFLP is fairly high, especially among students. The group has been largely inactive since the Al-Aqsa Intifada.
Activities:
The PFLP has committed hundreds of attacks against Israeli and moderate Arab targets, usually bombings, shootings, and suicide attacks. In the 1960s and 70s the group pioneered and committed several deadly airplane hijackings.
Although less influential during the 1990s, the group’s military wing, the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, was active during the 2000-05Al-Aqsa Intifada against Israeli forces. In 2001 it was responsible for the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze’evi.
Location:
The PFLP has been active in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Occupied Territories.
Financing:
The PFLP is primarily funded and trained by Syria, and has also been aided by Libya.