Jacobin Radio Red Star Over Palestine: Revolution and Counterrevolution in Lebanon
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May 17, 2025 Saverio Leopardi, a historian focused on the Palestinian left, joins Joel Beinin, an expert on Middle Eastern history, to dissect the vibrant yet tumultuous legacy of Palestinian radical movements. They explore the Palestinian left's significance during the First Intifada, the complexities of the PLO's internal dynamics, and the experience of Palestinian communism in Lebanon. The discussion illuminates how this rich history continues to shape cultural and political identities while revealing the socio-economic injustices faced during Lebanon's civil war.
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Lebanon as Revolutionary Base
- Palestinian left-wing groups found Lebanon's weak central state allowed them to establish a proto-Palestinian state with institutions.
- This base offered new opportunities for broader regional Arab revolutionary ambitions against Israel and local Lebanese power structures.
PLO's Strategic Shift
- By the mid-1970s, the PLO shifted to combine military struggle with diplomatic efforts, envisioning a Palestinian state on any liberated land.
- This reflected a pragmatic acceptance of political realities contrasting with hardline groups that rejected negotiations.
International Links of Palestinian Left
- The PFLP and DFLP sought global leftist alliances beyond the Arab world, including groups in Nicaragua, Japan, and Europe.
- Despite relations with socialist countries, their ties with the Soviet Union remained limited and cautious.