In 1987, pro-Palestine extremist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1984 murders of US military attaché Colonel Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris.
The 74-year-old Abdallah, who has became a left-wing symbol for the Palestinian cause, was freed by France on Friday and placed on a flight directly to Beirut.
According to the BBC, his lawyer describes him as “the man who has spent the longest time in prison for events linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Although prior appeals were denied, the appeal court decided that the length of Abdallah’s detention was “disproportionate” and that he no longer poses a threat.
Following his release, however, he declared, “I return to the path of resistance until Palestine is free.”
State Department spox Tammy Bruce expressed concern over his release.
Bruce stated, “The United States opposes the French government’s release and expulsion to Lebanon of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. His release threatens the safety of U.S. diplomats abroad and is a grave injustice to the victims and the families of those killed. The United States will continue to support the pursuit of justice in this matter.”
The United States opposes the French government’s release and expulsion to Lebanon of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. His release threatens the safety of U.S. diplomats abroad and is a grave injustice to the victims and the families of those killed. The United…
— Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) July 26, 2025
The U.S. Embassy in France reacted by honoring the memory of Colonel Ray.
“In memory of Colonel Charles R. Ray, murdered in Paris 43 years ago.Today, we gather together in solemn remembrance at his memorial plaque.”
“The United States opposes the release of convicted terrorist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and reiterates that his release would not only endanger the safety of American diplomats abroad but also betray the memory of the victims and their families.”
En mémoire du Colonel Charles R. Ray, assassiné à Paris il y a 43 ans.
Aujourd’hui, nous nous recueillons ensemble devant sa plaque commémorative.
Les États-Unis s’opposent à la libération du terroriste condamné Georges Ibrahim Abdallah et réaffirment que sa libération… pic.twitter.com/OLgUwQYqKW— U.S. Embassy France (@USEmbassyFrance) July 25, 2025
