A History of Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Faith, Awareness, and Revolution in the Middle East

Abstract

ideologically. What stood between the PFLP and such an achievement, we learn, was the pan-Arab ideological background of its founding leadership, the limited theoretical capacities of its secretary-general, George Habash, and its rigid organizational structure. The book’s narrative fails to highlight these factors and their role in the PFLP’s dilemma. Leopardi’s contribution lies in framing and giving an overview of the PFLP’s conduct between 1982–2007. The concepts Leopardi utilizes, such as “opposition-integration dilemma,” demonstrate analytical potential for the study of the Palestinian Left and opposition movements in general. At a time when unity is invoked as a solution to the Palestinian “impasse,” Leopardi’s argument that the pursuit of unity both reflected and contributed to the PFLP’s marginality provides a critical perspective worth considering. Furthermore, Leopardi presents fruitful avenues for future research—such as his brief comparison of the Palestinian and Kurdish Left. For these reasons, and despite its shortcomings, this book is a welcome addition to studies of the PRM and the Palestinian Left specifically.