PLO Factions and Leadership

Major factions within the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) include:
- Fatah
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
- Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command (PFLP-GC)

Leader: Yasser Arafat
- Known as the primary face of the Palestinian movement.
Aims/Goals:
- Palestinian self-determination, led by Palestinians themselves.
- Shift the focus of the struggle from reliance on Arab states to an independent Palestinian movement.
- Pursue a long-term goal of liberation, with an increasing openness to political settlements.
Actions to Achieve Goals:
- Initially involved in guerrilla warfare during the 1960s, marking its military approach.
- Engaged in diplomatic outreach to the United Nations and Arab states.
- Played a leading role in moving the PLO toward gaining international recognition.
Impact on PLO’s Overall Goals:
- Strengthened the unity of the movement by asserting Fatah’s dominance in PLO leadership.
- Advanced the PLO's transformation towards a diplomatic resolution and the eventual establishment of a two-state framework.
- Enhanced the international legitimacy of the PLO, especially with gaining UN observer status in 1974.

Leader: George Habash
- A key figure promoting militant actions and opposing Western influence.
Aims/Goals:
- Total liberation of all of Palestine.
- Opposition to Western imperialism and moderate, conciliatory solutions for peace.
Actions to Achieve Goals:
- Orchestrated high-profile militant operations, including airplane hijackings between 1968 and 1970.
- Formed alliances with global revolutionary movement to garner support.
- Took a vocal stance against Fatah’s shift towards diplomatic negotiations.
Impact on PLO’s Overall Goals:
- Increased the global visibility of the Palestinian cause, showcasing militant resistance.
- Damaged the diplomatic credibility of the PLO; PFLP's radical approach created a contrasting image.
- Created internal pressures within the PLO against reaching compromises, thus fostering division.
- Strengthened the radical ideological identity within the PLO, setting a counter-narrative.

Leader: Nayef Hawatmeh
- Advocated for more moderated approaches within the PLO framework.
Aims/Goals:
- Liberation of Palestine more broadly.
- Emphasized acceptance of partial political solutions, advocating for a state within the West Bank and Gaza.
Actions to Achieve Goals:
- Conducted limited military operations while focusing on political education.
- Engaged in publications to spread their ideology and built a student movement.
- Advocated for a “phased strategy” that aimed to achieve goals progressively within the PLO.
Impact on PLO’s Overall Goals:
- Encouraged the PLO to pursue more realistic political strategies, allowing for partial agreements.
- Provided ideological justification for two-state solutions or phased approaches, facilitating negotiation openings.
- Served as a moderating influence between the more militant stances of Fatah and PFLP.

Leader: Ahmed Jibril
- Known for promoting highly militant approaches and close ties with Syria.
Aims/Goals:
- Total liberation of all of Palestine without compromise.
- A strong rejection of any political compromises.
- Support of Syrian regional interests, aligning their goals with broader Syrian strategies.
Actions to Achieve Goals:
- Engaged in highly militant operations, with a focus on cross-border attacks.
- Aligned closely with Syria for vital support, including funding and training.
- Refused to participate in diplomatic initiatives altogether.
Impact on PLO’s Overall Goals:
- Contributed to increased factional fragmentation within the broader PLO landscape.
- Undermined the autonomy of the PLO due to Syrian influence over the PFLP-GC’s operations.
- Obstructed progress toward diplomatic and political resolutions, contrasting with other factions' efforts.
- Helped to solidify the portrayal of the PLO as a divided entity, complicating unified Palestinian representation.