The following article is adapted from the French at Plate-Forme Charleroi-Palestine:

Plate-Forme Charleroi-Palestine in Charleroi, Belgium, organized a screening of the film, “Fedayin: The struggle of Georges Abdallah,” as part of the international month of action to free Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the Lebanese Communist and resistance struggler for Palestine imprisoned in French jails for nearly 37 years.

The film was screened before a diverse audience of 35 people at the House of Associations in Marchienne-au-Pont on Tuesday, 28 September. Palestinian, Moroccan, Tunisian, Turkish, Kurdish, Italian, Greek and Belgian guests welcomed Matthieu of the Collectif Vacarme(s) Films, the directors of “Fedayin,” who spoke alongside the screening of the film.

The film tells the story of the struggles of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples and of the life and involvement of Georges Abdallah. It was greeted with warm appreciation by the guests at the event.

Reactions from participants

“I was immediately touched by the introduction of the film. The music, the close-up images of the Great March of Return and the voice commenting on the scene. I later learned that it was the voice of Georges Abdallah himself.”

“I was struck by the clarity of the explanations of the question of Palestine, which is always presented to us as being complicated. It is a very well-documented film.”

“I recognized myself in the film. Wheen I participated in the solidarity trip in 2019, we were in the South, in Ain el-Helweh camp. We had also walked the streets with Robert Abdallah, Georges’ brother.”

“I was glad that the term ‘imperialism’ is once again being used, which has often disappeared in speeches now. We must re-focus on the exact terms of domination.”

“I was touched by the authenticity of the interviews with Georges’ brothers.”

“The film sets things up well. Everything is well explained in time: Palestine, Lebanon, Georges Abdallah.”

“It’s a good way to raise awareness of the cause of Georges Abdallah, little known in Belgium. It would be nice if we could show it to trade unions.”

“I learned things that I did not know: how Georges’ political conscience was formed, as a young Lebanese schoolteacher in poor areas of Lebanon and subsequently living in Palestinian refugee camps himself.”

“The film is a tool that can be used in education and preparation for travel to occupied Palestine or the refugee camps in Lebanon.”

“The last frame of the film, showing Georges in his cell, is striking. What dignity! What strength to remain faithful to your commitments!”

“My conclusion: they have not succeeded in breaking Georges Abdallah, they will not succeed in breaking the Palestinian resistance.”

The mobilization continues

Our next meeting in Charleroi will take place on Saturday, 23 October, the day of the demonstration in front of Lannemezan Prison, where Georges Abdallah is jailed. We will gather around a tent from 3 pm to 5:30 pm on Place-Verte in Charleroi, to say: “Palestine will win! Free Georges Abdallah!”

At the stand, you will find flyers, t-shirts, Palestinian flags and copies of the excellent book, “The Georges Ibrahim Abdallah Affair,” by Said Bouamama. There will be a photo booth to show your solidarity.

If you want to visit the event in Lannemezan, contact the Collectif Palestine Vaincra  for the departure by bus from Toulouse,  or  ISM France  for a departure from  Bordeaux.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges people and organizations around the world to organize screenings of “Fedayin” in the coming month and beyond. This film has an important role to play in highlighting Georges Abdallah’s case to international audiences and helping to break down the walls of injustice that continue to keep him imprisoned in France, away from his homeland Lebanon.

The film is available with appropriate subtitles in French, Arabic, English, German, Italian, Catalan and Castilian Spanish.

Check out the list of screenings below and organize your own. If you want to show Fedayin in your area, email us at samidoun@samidoun.net or contact the directors at vacarmesfilms@gmail.com. We will help you to get your screening organized, and the directors are available to attend your events in person or to join your in-person events via video link. 

The following report is mostly translated from the French at Collectif Palestine Vaincra:

On Saturday, 2 October, the Collectif Palestine Vaincra — a member organization of the Samidoun Network — organized a Palestine Stand from 11 am to 1 pm outside the Capitole metro station in Toulouse, France. The stand was organized as part of the ongoing month of action for the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, the Lebanese Communist and freedom fighter for Palestine imprisoned in French jails since 1984, despite being eligible for release since 1999.

Amid a sunny day, the Collectif installed several large banners calling for the freedom of Georges Abdallah and Ahmad Sa’adat, the imprisoned general secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The stand was surrounded by Palestinian flags, and activists offered free stickers, flyers and leaflets to passers-by. The stand also offered books, including the new book by Said Bouamama, The Georges Abdallah Affair. Many people were attracted by a large explanatory banner presenting the history of Georges Abdallah’s case and struggle.

For over 2 hours, participants distributed hundreds of flyers and held dozens of discussions with passers-by. Speakers delivered calls to action over the sound system, explaining the history and political commitment of Georges Abdallah as well as the ways he is targeted for political and judicial state revenge. The stand also played music in support of Georges Abdallah and the Palestinian cause, such as “Entre leurs murs” by the rapper VII.

At the same time, many people took solidarity photos in support of the international campaign to liberate Georges Abdallah. Across generations, there is growing support for the release of Europe’s longest-held political prisoner.

The stand builds atop multiple actions being organized in Toulouse by the Collectif to support Georges Abdallah. He has remained imprisoned largely because he refuses to renounce his revolutionary commitment and the legitimacy of his cause: the struggle of the peoples against imperialism, racism and colonialism.

The month of action was launched on 24 September with a Palestine stand at the Bagatelle market, preceded by a twitterstorm on the occasion of the meeting between Emmanuel Macron and the new Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, which reached over 540,000 people.

On Sunday, 26 September, the Collectif organized a Palestine picnic for social gathering and exploring Palestinian and Arab cuisine, while discussing the mobilization for Georges Abdallah and upcoming initiatives. A few days later, many posters demanding his release appeared in bus stops throughout the city, including in the Mirail and Bagatelle districts.

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This was followed on 28 September by a stand at the University of Mirail, which received a warm welcome from many students in support of the Palestinian cause. Over 50 cards calling for Georges’ release were signed by students outraged by the ongoing imprisonment of this Lebanese Communist.

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On several occasions, people distributed flyers in the city center of Toulouse, sparking dozens of discussions about Georges Abdallah and the urgent need for his release.

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The mobilization for Georges’ release continues throughout October and will conclude with two important events:

• Thursday, 21 October – screening of the documentary, “Fedayin: The Struggle of Georges Abdallah”
  8:30 pm, American Cosmograph Theatre, with Collectif Vacarme(s) Films and Said Bouamama, sociologist and author of “The Georges Ibrahim Abdallah Affair”
• Saturday, 23 October – Demonstration to free Georges Abdallah
  2 pm, from the train station in Lannemezan, France to the prison where Georges Abdallah is held. Free bus from Toulouse — email collectifpalestinevaincra@gmail.com to participate!

The Collectif Palestine Vaincra organizes actions and initiatives in Toulouse to support the Palestinian people and their resistance for the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea. Contact the Collectif to get involved, or reach out to Samidoun Network to get involved in your local area outside of France.

Photo credits: Corine Janeau