On August 17, 2012, the Martyr Shadia Abu Ghazaleh association in Nusseirat organized an evening event to mark the anniversary of the leader Abu Ali Mustafa. Comrade Abeer Nujoom spoke on behalf of the organization, recalling the assassination of Abu Ali Mustafa as an attack meant to stab the heart of the Front and the Intifada, but that the resilience and determination of the people was shown through their quick response and ongoing resistance. She pledged that each year this anniversary marks ongoing resistance and revolution until the goals of return and liberation are achieved.
On August 24, 2012, in Abu Ali Mustafa’s hometown of Arraba south of Jenin, a ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Abu Ali Mustafa Boys’ School where a mass rally came together to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Abu Ali Mustafa. Comrade Omar Shehadeh, member of the political bureau of the PFLP, spoke saluting the martyrs who had fallen on the road of liberation and emphasized the need to build national unity to continue the struggle to confront occupation.
On August 26, a commemoration event was organized in the Rashad Shawwa cultural centre in Gaza City, packing the hall to remember Abu Ali Mustafa and his commitment to the liberation of Palestine. Comrade Kayed el-Ghoul, the leader of the PFLP’s Gaza branch, delivered the keynote address at the event, saying that Abu Ali Mustafa’s vision was one of “clarity on the position of the enemies and their friends, and commitment to the path to achieve our national goals, and in the importance of relying on the people and in the deep connection to the Arab nation and its project of national liberation, and with the progressive and socialist camp at the global level.” Al-Ghoul said that the occupation wanted to assassinate Abu Ali Mustafa’s vision along with him, the project of struggle and revolution that threatens Zionist racism and imperialist hegemony, yet it failed; he pledged that Abu Ali Mustafa’s vision would continue in the revolution and resistance until the liberation of Palestine is achieved.
Dr. Hani al-Zabri, Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa’s son, spoke via video, saying that the story of his father speaks to the history and the struggle of the Palestinian people forced from their land and made refugees, imprisoned in occupation and Arab prisons, fighting to return home, and martyred at the hand of the occupation. He greeted the prisoners in the jails of the occupation, at their forefront the General Secretary of the PFLP, Comrade Ahmad Sa’adat. Zakaria al-Agha of Fateh spoke, recalling Abu Ali Mustafa’s commitment to Palestinian national unity.
Comrade Hani Thawabteh concluded the event, speaking of Abu Ali Mustafa as a mentor and teacher to rising generations of Palestinian revolutionaries determined to follow in his footsteps and achieve the liberation of their land.
In Khan Younis governorate in Gaza, the PFLP gathered to light candles and lay a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Abu Ali Mustafa. Comrade Rami Abu Saud addressed the audience, recalling the struggle of the comrade and teacher, the martyr and leader Abu Ali Mustafa. Comrade Shafiq Al-Breim, member of the Gaza Branch Central Committee, delivered the main speech, pledging to remain loyal to the path of the martyrs of the Front and of the Palestinian people. He saluted the martyrs who have fallen for Palestine from all forces and factions, and recalled the proud history of the Front which Abu Ali Mustafa exemplified.
In Ramallah, the PFLP organized a march and memorial marking the eleventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Abu Ali Mustafa. The march began at the Orthodox Club in Ramallah, marching towards the Martyr Yasser Arafat Roundabout. Numerous leaders, cadres, members and supporters of the Front participated in the march, including Deputy General Secretary Abdel Rahim Mallouh.
Comrade Khalida Jarrar, member of the Political Bureau of the PFLP delivered the keynote speech at the march and rally, saying that Abu Ali Mustafa’s call to “resist, not to compromise continues to echo today, shaking the walls of the cells of the occupation prison through the struggles of our brave prisoners, the conscience of our people, at their forefront the leader General Secretary Comrade Ahmad Sa’adat and the heroes of the response, Ahed Abu Ghoulmeh, Majdi Rimawi, Basil al-Asmar, Hamdi Quran and Mohammad Rimawi. They are the keepers of your legacy and are staying on the path of resistance and liberation.”
The Front in Dheisheh refugee camp organized a military march to commemorate Abu Ali Mustafa on August 27, marching through the streets of the camp, carrying photos of the martyr Abu Ali Mustafa, Palestinian flags and red banners. One of the youth leaders of the march spoke, paying tribute to the spirit of the martyr Abu Ali Mustafa, saying he and all of the martyrs of Palestine are an inspirations to Palestinians, the Arab nation and all democratic and progressive forces who stand against all attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. Abu Ali, he said, was targeted by Israeli helicopters as a living symbol of the Palestinian resistance. The marchers raised large photos and images of Abu Ali Mustafa at the entrance to the camp and distributed a statement pledging to continue on the path of Abu Ali Mustafa and all of the martyrs of the Palestinian national liberation struggle.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine held a large rally in Halhoul Municipality Square, attended by members, supporters and friends of the PFLP throughout al-Khalil governorate in Palestine’s West Bank, on August 31, marking the eleventh anniversary of the martyrdom of PFLP General Secretary Abu Ali Mustafa.
Comrade Abdel Rahim Mallouh, deputy general secretary of the PFLP, delivered the speech for the Front, where he reviewed Abu Ali Mustafa’s life in struggle, from joining the Arab Nationalist Movement at an early age, to his years of struggle alongside Dr. George Habash in the PFLP, and culminating in his assassination by the occupation military, emphasizing the commitment of the Front to continue on his path of resistance until liberaation. He saluted General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat, held inside the prisons of the occupation.
The Sports Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Gaza held a nautical sporting competition to commemorate the martyrdom of PFLP General Secretary Abu Ali Mustafa, on Beit Lahiya beach in northern Gaza.
Numerous youth participated in 250, 500 and 1000 meter swimming races, as well as doubles and singles rowing races of 1000 and 2000 meters. Leaders and cadres of the PFLP and many people from the area participated in the event. The victors and participants were awarded medals and plaques commemorating their achievements in the event.
Comrade Abu Wissam Sultan, member of the branch Central Committee, spoke at the event, discussing Abu Ali Mustafa’s life and accomplishments as a national leader who dedicated his life to the service of the people, the homeland and the cause, saying he refused always to bargain with the rights of our people, committed to the national interest above all. He particularly saluted all of the fishers in the Gaza Strip, who valiantly struggle steadfastly on a daily basis in the face of persecution and stalking by the warships of the occupation.
The PFLP in Beit Hanoun, Gaza held a cultural event marking the eleventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa, including screening a documentary film about the life of the assassinated General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Comrade Yahya Mohammed, member of the Gaza branch Central committee of the PFLP, spoke at the event, saying the Front would remain on the path of Abu Ali Mustafa until all of Palestine is liberated.
The PFLP in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza marked the eleventh anniversary of the martyrdom of PFLP General Secretary Abu Ali Mustafa with a mass rally in the center of the refugee camp. Comrade Jalal Sayed opened the event, saluting General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat in the occupation prisons and all of the prisoners of freedom, saying that the brave fighters of the PFLP had made it clear through their sharp response against the extremist racist Zionist tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi that it would never accept such crimes.
Comrade Farid Abu Zubaydah spoke on behalf of the Front, emphasizing that Abu Ali Mustafa’s path and legacy remain immortal, emphasizing his commitment to united resistance and national unity. He urged an end to internal Palestinian division, calling for the people to rise up to defend their interests and protect the legacy of the martyrs and the future of Palestine.
The Front also marked the anniversary of Bureij massacre, in which dozens of reisdents of the camp were killed by criminal Zionist forces that entered the camp on August 28, 1953 in the dark of night, killing sheep and farmers outside the camp and then killing people in the camp before the camp residents awoke and en masse forced them out of the camp.
A number of children carried banners with the names of these historic martyrs and slogans calling for the rights of the Palestinian people including the right of refugees to return, and a large key of return and Dome of the Rock adorned the stage.
The event included music and debkeh as well as a children’s theatrical play about the October 17 response to the assassination of Abu Ali Mustafa.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Jabalya refugee camp held a mass rally marking the anniversary of the assassination of PFLP General Secretary Abu Ali Mustafa on August 31, 2012.
The rally began near Sheikh Zayed square and was followed by a march to al-Fakhoura school, the site of the infamous massacre committed by the Zionist occupation against women and children seeking refuge in the school during Cast Lead in late 2008.
Many leaders, members and supporters of the Front in northern Gaza participated in the march, chanting slogans saluting Abu Ali Mustafa’s life and struggle, calling for national unity and confrontation of the occupation.
Comrade Ghassan Rajab, member of the Central Committee of the Gaza branch of the PFLP, spoke at the end of the march, calling for national unity and rebuilding the PLO on a democratic and inclusive basis to lead the struggle of the Palestinian people and once more become the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.