George Habash: The Bearer of the Palestinian Dream
By Lamis Andoni, Source: Al Jazeera, Z Net, January, 30 2008
George Habash, the Palestinian leader who was laid to rest on Monday in Amman after six decades of unwavering struggle, had two dreams: an end to the dispossession of his people and the realisation of Arab unity.
He died without seeing either dream come true. In his last years Habash watched, with deep sadness imprinted on his warm persona, as Israel expanded, the Palestinian movement splintered, Iraq fell under US occupation and the Arab World growing increasingly divided.
But he lived and died without forsaking his dream or losing faith in his people.
"His message to the Palestinians was to restore our unity," Issam Al Taher, a senior aide, who saw him a day before his death said.
"Unity, unity, unity -- that was his only message," said Al Taher.