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Portrait of Abu Ali Mustafa

Abu Ali Mustafa

Co-founder of PFLP, key Palestinian nationalist, and resistance leader.

Born
13 May 1938
Born in
Arrābah, Palestine
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Why Abu is here

Abu Ali Mustafa was a co-founder and secretary-general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). His leadership in the Palestinian nationalist movement, particularly through the PFLP, marked a significant period in the history of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.

Their story

Abu Ali Mustafa (1938–2001), born Mustafa al-Zabri in Arraba, near Jenin, joined the Arab Nationalist Movement as a teenager and was a founding member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

After decades in exile he returned to Palestine in 1999 and became the PFLP's Secretary-General in 2000. On 27 August 2001 Israeli helicopters fired missiles into his office in al-Bireh, killing him. The PFLP renamed its armed wing after him.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Abu’s path.

  1. 1955

    Joined the Arab Nationalist Movement at the age of 17.

  2. 1967

    Co-founded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

  3. 1999

    Returned to the occupied West Bank of Palestine.

  4. 2001

    Assassinated by Israeli occupation in an attack on his office.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Political Organizing

    Active in the Arab Nationalist Movement, confronting repression by the Jordanian regime.

  2. Leadership in PFLP

    Played a key role in establishing and guiding the PFLP.

  3. Advocacy for Palestinian Rights

    Advocated for the liberation of Palestinian political prisoners.

  4. Dedication to Palestinian Struggle

    Demonstrated commitment to Palestinian resistance against occupation.

  5. National Leadership

    Emerged as a principled national leader, threatening the Israeli military occupation.

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