Democratic Palestine : 15 (ص 21)
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- عنوان
- Democratic Palestine : 15 (ص 21)
- المحتوى
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The first priority in our schedule is fortifying our positions - dig-
ging trenches, building embankments for mounted weapons,
and shelters. There is a saying that a drop of sweat saves a pint
of blood. We work on fortifying from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. when we
have a lunch break. During the break, we discuss what we
accomplished and our plan for the next period. We usually con-
tinue fortifications work until 5 p.m. At suppertime, the com-
rades rest. We discuss different issues. We exchange visits
with our allies of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) at
nearby bases. Before going to sleep, we organize our guard
duty for the night.
What are your activities on a weekly basis?
Malek: Every week we have an administrative day when
comrades rest, clean their weapons, the base and personal
belongings. We have weekly practical and political meetings,
and weekly organizational meetings for party members. Every
day one comrade has comradely service which means he or
she stays on the base and takes the responsibility for cooking
and cleaning.
What is the difference between party members
and non-party members?
Abu Lena: Many people join the PFLP’s military forces for
nationalist reasons. The PFLP devotes a great deal of effort to
develop these comrades ideologically, so they understand the
basics of Marxism-Leninism. After comrades reach that level,
they are accepted in the party organization. Party members
have the same duties as other comrades, but they have extra
responsibilities in terms of setting an example in discipline and
dedication, and educating others. They also bear responsibility
for strengthening ties with our local allies.
What do you do in your spare time?
Salameh: We sit together and discuss the political and
military situation. We also discuss our personal and family
lives.
Faraj: We play chess and dominos, read and do physical
exercise.
Sarah: | read and collect flowers.
What problems do you face in your daily life?
Abu Lena: We have problems with the availability of fortifi-
cations materials - sacks, cement, gravel, wood, etc. On any
given day, we can have a new military situation. This is how
Lebanon is. We get our materials from the PSP, and usually
they are not very late.
Ziad, a platoon leader: Here we cannot move safely in the
day by car, so food and water arrive at night. We must cook
meat or fish at night, so it doesn't get bad. We also have prob-
lems with water. Some nights there is heavy bombardment and
it doesn't reach us until late, so we are careful with water. A liter
of water can sometimes cost a liter of blood. Another problem
is when new comrades join us in this area, we have to work
hard to teach them where they can walk and where are the
danger spots for sniping.
Adonees: Every base has small problems in carrying out
duties and living together. New comrades need a lot of work to
develop a sense of initiative which is a manifestation of
developed revolutionary consciousness. In such cases, we
interact with the new comrade and explain any mistake made.
If itis repeated, we call a practical meeting; the base as a group
discusses the problem.
What social problems do comrades generally
face?
Kifah: The distance from our families and our Palestinian
people and civilians in general.
Abdel Hamid: Our people support us politically and mate-
rially and by continuously giving new fedayeen. But you know
a fedayee’s life is always at risk. So when a military comrade
wants to marry, people are skeptical. The parents ask: If you
die, what would happen to our daughter? The only way to over-
come this is to have a strong relation with the woman and that
is difficult because we only have four days vacation every
month.
Adonees: | am married and have two children and am
expecting a third. My wife is also in the military forces. We coor-
dinate our vacations. It is important to coordinate your personal
life with your revolutionary duties. A small number of comrades
don't do that, and that is a problem. The Front is very under-
standing and arranges child care for working women.
Sarah: | had some problems in the beginning being
accepted as a fighter. Some of the less educated comrades
ask why | don't limit my work to the Front’s women’s organiza-
tion, because it’s easier. Others expected that my role is to
cook or make tea on the base. | was able to solve these prob-
lems by interacting with the comrades and sometimes involv-
ing the local leadership. These problems are a result of the
backward social beliefs that exist in our area. It is hard for men
to accept women as equals in work, and this is especially true
in the military, because we are brought up with the belief that
women must look nice and stay at home... The PFLP does a lot
of work to change this, but it cannot totally change until we
change the social system itself.
Ziad: The question of women is not an easy subject. It is
important to practice our theoretical belief on women’s libera-
tion. Women are half the society and must have the same
rights and responsibilities. Having a woman comrade is an
experiment that must succeed. It is an educational experience
for both the female and male.
Why did you join the PFLP’s military forces?
Jihad: | joined the Front because of its mass support, its
Marxist-Leninist line and alliance with communist forces inter-
nationally, its military achievements inside and outside Pales-
tine, its practice of democratic centralism in meetings, and the
mutual respect that exists between people in charge and the
fighters.
Salameh: | joined the Front because of its principles, the
positive relations between comrades and its firm position
against the existence of the Zionist state.
Sarah: | believe that fighting is the duty of men and women
alike. When Zionists and fascists kill, they don’t differentiate
between men and women. We saw that in Sabra and Shatila.
The Front, by following Marxism-Leninism and practicing this
in its internal relations, gives both sexes an equal chance to
carry out their duties. For me as a woman, the Front is the most
logical organization to belong to.
How is coordination with the Lebanese national
forces in this area?
Adonees: Our cooperation is based on the PFLP’s politi-
cal position of support to the Lebanese national movement.
The dominant force in the Mountain is the PSP. The Lebanese
Communist Party (LCP) also has bases in this area. Here we
are under the PSP’s leadership from a military aspect. We
19 - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 15
- تاريخ
- أبريل ١٩٨٦
- المنشئ
- الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين
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