Lebanese Resistance Icon Georges Abdallah Released, Urges Unity for Palestine
The Lebanese Revolutionary Urges Arab Mobilization, Escalation of Armed Struggle, and Loyalty to the Martyrs of Palestine
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Lebanese freedom fighter and revolutionary Georges Ibrahim Abdallah made his first public appearance as a free man on Friday, delivering a powerful statement at Beirut International Airport following his release from French prisons after nearly 41 years of incarceration.
Abdallah was greeted by a massive crowd of supporters, political leaders, and lawmakers who flooded the airport and lined the streets to celebrate his return. His convoy was expected to head north toward his hometown of Qoubaiyat.
His early release by French authorities—one day ahead of schedule and without prior notice—appeared to be an attempt to suppress the popular reception and prevent media coverage.
Abdallah was also barred from making any public statements before his deportation from France.
“The Resistance Is Strong and Firmly Rooted in This Land”
In his first address, Abdallah reaffirmed the unwavering support he has maintained for the Palestinian Resistance since the early 1980s, stating:
“With resistance, the road home is never lost.”
He described the Resistance as firmly anchored in the land and incapable of being uprooted:
“The resistance is not weak; it stands strong, drawing its might from its martyred leaders who crafted the struggle with their blood.”
Abdallah praised the martyrs as the very cornerstone of all liberation movements:
“We bow our heads in honor of the Resistance's martyrs. They are the fundamental foundation of any idea of liberation.”
Palestine: The Core of the Cause and the Frontline of Confrontation
Shifting focus to Palestine, Abdallah called for a renewed and intensified confrontation with the Israeli occupation, urging the Palestinian Resistance to escalate its operations:
“The resistance there must intensify. The confrontation with the enemy must continue until liberation is achieved.”
He declared that the Israeli regime is now living out its “final chapter,” and condemned the passivity of Arab governments and societies in the face of suffering in Gaza:
“It is a shame, which will go down in history, how Arabs merely watch as the people of Palestine and Gaza suffer.”
An Urgent Plea to Egypt and the Arab Street
In a direct appeal to the Egyptian people, Abdallah said:
“The masses of Egypt hold the power to transform the situation in Gaza.”
He insisted that broad and unified action across the Arab world is urgently needed:
“It is shameful for any Arab to watch. We must all rally around the Resistance.”
The Bond Between Captives and the Streets
Addressing the plight of detainees and fighters held in occupation prisons, Abdallah highlighted the connection between those imprisoned and the broader resistance movement:
“The steadfastness of prisoners inside depends on the steadfastness of those abroad.”
He reminded the audience that liberation efforts must be matched by unyielding pressure and solidarity from the outside world, especially at a time of deepening suffering in the occupied territories.
Released Ahead of Schedule Under Tight Restrictions
Abdallah’s release on July 26 came as the result of a prolonged legal and political battle. Although a French court had ordered his release on July 17, international pressure—particularly from the United States and the Israeli regime—had long delayed his freedom.
Supporters alleged that the timing of his release was manipulated to prevent a large public gathering and to stifle Abdallah’s voice in the international arena. Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Paris confirmed that Abdallah is in good health and fully aware of current developments.
Commenting on the release, Ibrahim Halabi of the campaign to free Abdallah called it:
“A major victory for freedoms, not just for Georges and Lebanon, but for all who resist oppression.”
Message Before Departure: “Calm, Reassured, and a Fighter Until My Last Breath”
Ahead of his release, Abdallah delivered a message of defiance and resilience through his lawyer:
“Calm, reassured, and a fighter until my last breath.”
Rejecting any sense of fear or retreat, he said:
“I feel no threat, my condition is that of any other fighter in our homeland.”
In his final message before returning to Lebanon, Abdallah issued a call to action directed at the Arab public:
“When the Arab street moves, we will witness a resistance uprising. The Arab people are not rising up sufficiently—they must gather in the streets to act.”
A Lifelong Revolutionary Poised to Reengage
According to his legal team, Abdallah is not only healthy but ready to re-enter the political arena. His lawyer emphasized:
“We must rally behind the struggle of Georges. He remains fully aware of current events and possesses great momentum and vitality.”
Abdallah’s legacy has become emblematic of long-term revolutionary resilience, sustained by grassroots mobilization, unshakable commitment to Palestine, and the enduring struggle against imperialism and Zionism.
As thousands gathered to greet him and listen to his words, it became clear that Abdallah’s voice—once silenced by prison walls—has returned with renewed force, calling the Arab world to mobilize, resist, and remember that liberation is not merely a hope but a duty. (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen