Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
Goals and Objectives.The PLF is committed to the destruction of Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state on its territory.

Brief History. Originally formed in 1959 by Ahmed Jibril (PLFP-GC, see entry below), the PLF has gone through several periods of splits and mergers. In 1977, Jibril split off from the PFLP-GC and re-established the PLF as an independent organization. The group’s most recent fissure occurred in the 1980’s when the PLF split along pro-Syrian, pro-Libyan, and pro-PLO lines. While all three groups claim to represent the PLF, the pro-PLO faction of Muhammed Zaidan, known as Abu Abbas, is responsible for the PLF’s most prominent terrorist acts.

On Oct. 7, 1985 four PLF terrorists hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro on its way from Egypt to Israel and became infamous for the murder of wheelchairbound US citizen Leon Klinghoffer. In response to PLF demands, Italian authorities released Abu Abbas from prison, later sentencing him to life in prison in absentia.

After the Achille Lauro incident, Tunisian authorities expelled the group which then moved its headquarters to Iraq. The group has not been blamed for a terrorist attack since 1990, when it attempted a seaborne-commando raid of Israeli beaches at Nizanim in an attempt to kill tourists and Israelis. Israeli forces foiled the attack, meant to avenge the deaths of seven Palestinian workers on May 20, killing four of the twelve militants with no Israeli casualties. At the time, Abu Abbas was a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee member, and Israeli officials used the raid to put pressure on the U.S. dialogue with the PLO, claiming the raid was proof the PLO still engaged in terrorism.

The PLF became active again in the al-Aqsa Intifada. In November 2001, 15 Iraqi trained PLF militants were arrested by Israeli authorities for plotting attacks inside Israel. Israeli authorities claimed the group was linked to Iraqi intelligence, and trained and supported by Baghdad On April 16, 2003, U.S. Special Forces captured Abu Abbas in southern Baghdad. The Italian government has requested his extradition so he may serve his sentence for the Achille Lauro incident. Israel. The PLF has also attempted at least one seaborne assault on Israel, the 1990 attack on the beach at Nizanim.

Anti-American Activity. The PLF does not focus its energies on attacking the United States or U.S. interests. The exception was the murder of American citizen Leon Klinghoffer on the Achille Lauro.

Primary Areas of Operation. Abu Abbas has been based in Iraq since 1990 and the PLF has a presence in both Lebanon and the West Bank. While the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq did result in the capture of Abu Abbas, it remains unclear what effect the occupation will have on PLF operations.

Strength and Composition. The State Department lists the PLF’s strength as unknown. However other estimates place the Abu Abbas faction at around 300 to 500 members.330

Connections with Other Groups. Abu Abbas has close relations to Yasir Arafat and, consequently, close links with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). There are no known links between the PLF and Al Qaeda. Abu Abbas condemned the September 11 attacks and stated Al Qaeda’s cause is separate from the Palestinian cause.

State Supporters, Other Sources of Funding, and Constituencies. Before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003, the PLF received most of its financial and logistical support from Iraq. Also, the $25,000 rewards Saddam Hussein was paying out to the families of suicide bombers in Palestinian territories were allegedly disbursed by the PLF.

Originally Designated as an FTO. October 8, 1997.