SYND 13-8-73 INTERIVEW WITH PFLP LEADER GEORGE HABASH
Interview · Palestine & Anti-Zionism · August 13, 1973 · 07:50
George Habash
Summary
In this 1973 interview, George Habash, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), responds to questions about the group's use of hijacking and its connections to other militant organizations. Habash states that the PFLP currently refrains from such acts to allow world opinion to better understand the Palestinian cause, though he reserves the right to use any means in war. He clarifies that the PFLP only claims its own operations and does not have official ties to minor groups behind recent attacks, such as the Japanese Airlines hijack and the Athens airport assault, but expresses understanding for their actions born of despair. Habash also outlines the PFLP's cooperation within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) alongside factions like Fatah, the Popular Democratic Front, the Arab Liberation Front, and Al Sa'iqa.
Transcript (diarized)
Speaker 1: Are there no circumstances under which the PFLP would resume such acts as hijacking?
George Habash: In the foreseen future, no. When our revolution will be quite well understood all over the world, of course, we feel that war is war. And we can do any act which will serve our victory in war. But since at the present moment, world opinion is not able to see our particular case, we would like all people all over the world to understand us and be with us so that we will ensure victory.
Speaker 1: There have been more acts of terrorism by Arabs nonetheless than there have been by Israel in the last few weeks. I'm thinking of the Japanese Airlines hijack, the attack at Athens airport. What is your relationship with the groups who organized these attacks?
George Habash: You see, the PFLP is the PFLP. When the PFLP does anything, she will claim this. The PFLP actually has relations with the main Palestinian state. organizations, namely FADJ, the Popular Democratic Front, Arab Liberation Front of Palestine, Al Sa'iqa, and we are cooperating together in what you call the PLO, Palestine Liberation Organization. Regarding these minor groups, we have no relations with them, but also to be frank with you and with world opinion, we can only understand them. Because we know the despair that our people have been living for so many years. And that's why we can at least know why do they act like this.