Red Star Over Palestine: Ghassan Kanafani & Leila Khaled
May 3, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Sarah Irving, a lecturer and author, and Palestinian writer Seraj Assi delve into the lives of Ghassan Kanafani and Leila Khaled, pivotal figures in the Palestinian left. They explore the historical significance of 1967 and the evolution of revolutionary thought in Palestinian literature. The conversation highlights the enduring legacy of resistance in their works, particularly focusing on themes of loss and resilience. Additionally, they discuss the crucial role of women in the struggle and Khaled's complex legacy as a symbol of liberation.
Ghassan Kanafani significantly shaped Palestinian cultural and political landscapes through his literary works and active engagement with the PFLP.
Leila Khaled's role within the Palestinian liberation movement highlighted the integration of feminist ideals and militant actions in their struggle for liberation.
Deep dives
The Impact of Ghassan Kanafani
Ghassan Kanafani played a pivotal role in the Palestinian cultural and political landscape, emerging as a significant literary figure and political activist. Born in Acre in 1936 and displaced during the Nakba, Kanafani's dedication to Palestinian issues was reflected in both his writings and his involvement with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). His short story, 'Letter from Gaza,' poignantly highlights the personal and collective trauma experienced by Palestinians, showcasing his ability to articulate their struggles through literature. As a key figure in the PFLP, he was not only influential in developing the organization’s Marxist ideology but also in publishing works that fostered political awareness among Palestinians, particularly through the PFLP's weekly publication, Al-Hadaf.
Leila Khaled and the PFLP's Feminist Militant Role
Leila Khaled became an iconic figure within the Palestinian liberation movement, particularly known for her military actions as a hijacker for the PFLP. Her early life in Lebanon, marked by the struggles of her family following their displacement from Haifa, ignited her political activism at a young age. Khaled's involvement with the PFLP emphasized the organization's unique position as a Marxist faction, which allowed for broader participation of women in militant roles compared to other groups. Despite the glorification of her hijacking actions in the media, Khaled maintained that the fight for Palestinian liberation encompassed more than just armed struggle, underscoring the significance of socialist ideals in achieving their goals.
Political Evolution Post-1967
The events following the 1967 war marked a transformative period for Palestinian political thought, particularly for figures like Kanafani and Khaled, who shifted from nationalism to a more profound revolutionary socialism. Following the Naksa, or setback, many Palestinian leaders reassessed their strategies against the backdrop of regional colonization and social injustice, leading to a collective embrace of Marxist ideologies. Kanafani played an influential role in crafting the PFLP's program, which sought to educate the masses on mobilization against both local and imperialist oppressors, framing the struggle as a class revolt rather than merely a nationalist conflict. This ideological shift was pivotal in expanding the narrative around Palestinian liberation, integrating it into the broader movements against capitalism and imperialism in the Arab world.
The Legacy of Resistance
Kanafani's and Khaled’s contributions to Palestinian identity and resistance have left a lasting legacy that continues to resonate today. Kanafani's literary works, particularly 'Men in the Sun,' address the existential plight of Palestinians in exile and have become emblematic of their struggle, provoking reflection amidst contemporary conflicts. Khaled, immortalized as a 'girl hijacker,' represents a combination of feminist and militant ideals, and her story reflects the duality of being both a symbol of liberation and the complexities attached to the tactics employed in resistance. The evolving perspectives on their legacies within Palestinian society highlight ongoing debates about the effectiveness of various strategies for liberation, illustrating how their influence stretches beyond their lifetimes and into current discussions on identity and resistance.
For many years, Palestine had one of the strongest left-wing movements in the Arab world, represented by prominent figures such as Leila Khaled and Ghassan Kanafani. At the beginning of the First Intifada in the 1980s, Palestinian left groups were the main challengers to the hegemony of Fatah. Although the Palestinian left has lost much of its influence since the 1980s, they still play an important role today.
Red Star Over Palestine: Histories of the Palestinian Left is a six-part series from Long Reads exploring radical movements and progressive organizations of the region. The podcast examines the experience of Palestinian communism and the left-wing currents inside the PLO, the Palestine Liberation Organization. We also look at the outsized impact of the Left on Palestinian cultural life.
In our third episode, we discuss two of the most prominent figures associated with Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: Ghassan Kanafani and Leila Khaled.
