DFLP

Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Politburo

The DFLP is a leftist group led by Nayef Hawatmeh (Abu al-Nuf). It was formed as the Popular Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PDFLP) after splitting from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in 1969 following a leadership dispute. It officially became the DFLP in 1974.

During its early years the DFLP had a radical Marxist-Maoist ideology and cooperated with other radical left-wing organizations. Since 1982 it has adopted a more pragmatic position and became known as an early advocate of dialogue with Israeli leaders from the left. It drew most of its support from intelligentsia, mainly Palestinian students abroad and played a major role in placing the idea of a democratic Palestinian state, with equal rights for Jews and Arabs on the political agenda.

During the first Intifada it was a member of the United National Leadership of the Uprising (UNLU). It opposed the Oslo Peace process. As a result it has been marginalized since the signing of the Declaration of Principles (DOP). Reconciliation between Yasser Arafat and the PFLP took place in Cairo in 1999.

In the 2006 elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council the DFLP formed a joint list called al-Badil (“The Alternative”) along with the Palestine Democratic Union known as FIDA, the Palestinian People’s Party (PPP) and independent candidates. The list was led by Qais Abdel-Karim (Abu Leila) and received 2.8% of the vote. The DFLP hold significant influence within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). It was at one point the third-largest group within the PLO after Fateh and the PFLP.