Out of place, out of time: Gaddafi and the Palestinian resistance in the 1970s

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, I look at the nature and significance of Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi’s support to the Palestinian Resistance in his early years of power (roughly 1969–1980) and connect it to the broader anti-colonial, anti-imperial message that was an important part of his early years. My intention is neither to portray Gaddafi as a great hero nor emphasize his eccentricities to the point of obscuring all other aspects of his political persona. Rather, it is to provide balance to a discussion of a figure whose political ideas are often portrayed as being rooted merely in impulse and egoism. This latter portrayal was pushed by Western powers, providing them with justification for their at-times reckless approach towards Libya and its leader who posed a threat to the West’s interests. Ironically, the cartoon-like portrayals of Gaddafi that Western governments perpetuated demonstrate a point that Gaddafi tried to make, that representative rather than direct democracy was a problematic form of governance, causing those in charge to impose their will on the people. Arab leaders also disliked Gaddafi, in part due to their shift from Arab unity towards economic privatization; with such a shift came a certain complacency towards imperialism, colonialism, and Palestinian resistance.