George Abdallah: 40 Years in French Prison for Loyalty and Love for Palestinians

Paris, 18 July – (PIC): George Ibrahim Abdallah is a name that may have been forgotten in courtrooms, but he still lives in the hearts of the oppressed. He spent 40 years in a dark prison cell in France, but his spirit never gave up. He gave his youth, dreams, and entire life to support the Palestinian cause.

Recently, a French court finally decided that George Abdallah will be released on July 25, and those who believed in him felt both relief and gratitude.

41 Years in Prison

George was arrested in 1984 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987. Even though he became eligible for release in 1999, he was not freed. Why? Because he stood up for Palestine. He raised his voice against the crimes of Israel and the United States, and refused to stay silent.

“I am not a criminal, I am a resistance fighter”

In court, George always said loudly, “I am not a criminal. I am a freedom fighter. I did what every honest person should do.” He was never ashamed, but proud. The images of dead Palestinian children, bombed hospitals, and burning tents were always in his heart.

From a Lebanese Teacher to a Fighter for Palestine

George was born in 1951 in a small village in Lebanon. At first, he was a school teacher. But he was deeply affected by the suffering of Palestinian refugees. He used to walk the streets, giving magazines to children and calling himself a “worker,” not part of the corrupt elite.

When Israel attacked Lebanon, George was injured. That injury became a turning point. He picked up a weapon and joined the Palestinian resistance.

Prison Became His Place of Resistance

On October 24, 1984, George went to a police station in Lyon, France, but the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was already tracking him. He was arrested and accused of attacking American officials, having weapons, and planning conspiracies. But George never gave up.

In 1987, France sentenced him to life in prison, even though the government lawyer had asked for only 10 years. His real “crime” was his love for Palestine.

U.S., Israel, and French Silence

From 1999 onward, all of George’s release requests were denied. Once, his release was approved, but only if he was sent to Lebanon. Even that didn’t happen due to pressure from America and Israel. France gave in to these powers and kept George in prison.

“Gaza Will Never Surrender”

In 2024, during a rally in Marseille, George sent a message: “Gaza will never surrender. Zionist occupiers and criminal powers can never defeat the Palestinian resistance.”

He said the Palestinian struggle is rooted in refugee camps, where children play in the dust while dreaming of freedom. Those dreams live in George’s eyes, even after decades in prison.

A Symbol of Sacrifice and Loyalty

George turned 40 years of prison into a powerful message: “I will never turn away from Palestine, even if I have to give my life.” On his prison wall, there is a picture that says, “Palestine, we will meet soon.”

He says, “My release is not the real story. When children are dying in Gaza and Israel is committing genocide, my freedom is just a small detail.”

A Message for the World

Now that George is finally being released, his story leaves a question for the world:
How long will we stay silent in front of injustice?
How long will Palestinian children keep dying without a voice?

George Abdallah’s message is clear: If one man can resist for 40 years in prison, why can’t we raise our voices for truth and justice?