Free Palestine movement
A political movement advocating for the rights and statehood of Palestinians, which is prevalent in the college campus protests discussed.
First Mentioned
10/22/2025, 4:07:38 AM
Last Updated
10/22/2025, 4:11:38 AM
Research Retrieved
10/22/2025, 4:11:38 AM
Summary
The Free Palestine Movement is a Palestinian Syrian armed movement and community organization, led by businessman Yasser Qashlaq. Ideologically, it opposes the existence of Israel. Historically, prior to 2012, the organization was primarily engaged in political activism and providing social services to Palestinians in Syria and the Gaza Strip. With the onset of the Syrian Civil War, the movement evolved, forming its own militias, such as Saraya Bader and Al-Aqsa Shield Forces, and actively supported the Ba'athist government against various rebel groups until the fall of the Assad regime in 2024. The movement also participates in broader Palestinian solidarity efforts, as evidenced by its protest against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip in December 2023.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Name
Free Palestine Movement
Type
Palestinian Syrian armed movement, Community organization
Leader
Yasser Qashlaq
Ideology
Opposes the existence of Israel
Arabic Name
حركة فلسطين حرة
Leader Role
Businessman
Geographic Focus
Syria, Gaza Strip
Paramilitary Wings
Saraya Bader, Al-Aqsa Shield Forces, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni Battalions
Paramilitary Wing Commander
Saed Abd Al-Aal
Casualties (by November 2018)
24 fighters (in Syrian Civil War)
Primary Activities (pre-2012)
Political activism, Social services
Affiliation (Syrian Civil War)
Ba'athist government of Syria
Timeline
- Primarily known for political activism and social services for Palestinians in Syria and the Gaza Strip. (Source: Wikipedia)
before 2012
- Following the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, the movement formed its own militias and began fighting for the Ba'athist government against rebel groups. (Source: Wikipedia)
2011 (approx)
- By this date, 24 fighters of the Free Palestine Movement had died fighting in the Syrian Civil War. (Source: Wikipedia)
2018-11
- Organized a 'solidarity stand' in the Yarmouk Camp, Syria, to protest against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. (Source: Wikipedia)
2023-12
- Ceased fighting alongside the Ba'athist government following the fall of the Assad regime. (Source: Wikipedia)
2024
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaFree Palestine Movement
The Free Palestine Movement (Arabic: حركة فلسطين حرة) is a Palestinian Syrian armed movement and community organization that is led by the businessman Yasser Qashlaq and supported the Ba'athist government of Syria. The organization opposes the existence of Israel, and was mostly known for political activism and social services in favor of Palestinians in Syria and the Gaza Strip before 2012. Upon the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, however, the Free Palestine Movement formed its own militias and openly fought for the Ba'athist government against various rebel groups until the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.
Web Search Results
- FAQ Palestine - Slow Factory
Slow Factory # FAQ Palestine by Slow Factory The “Free Palestine” movement advocates for a free and liberated Palestine, which includes all people, including Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze and residents of all religions and ethnicities. It hopes to create a truly democratic state in which self-determination and human rights are available for everyone. [...] Our advocacy for a Free Palestine is rooted in a desire to see the Palestinian people liberated from expulsion, occupation and oppression of all kinds, not antisemitism. While we recognize our Jewish community’s concerns over the rise in antisemitism abroad as valid, we know that this movement is not in opposition to concerns over anti-Jewish violence — on the contrary, it aligns and intersects with the fight against that violence. We believe a liberated Palestine, free from apartheid and [...] been living in Palestine continually for hundreds of years. A Free Palestine calls for justice and liberation, for Palestinians who have lived under violent occupation for generations, as well as justice and liberation for the oppressed Jews within the Occupation including Mizrahi and Ethiopian Jews. It hopes to create a truly democratic state in which self-determination and human rights are available for everyone.
- Free Palestine Movement - Wikipedia
The Free Palestine Movement is officially led by Yasser Qashlaq, while Saed Abd Al-Aal serves as the commander of the organization's paramilitary wing. Saed Abd Al-Aal is the son of Muhammad Abdel-Al, a member of the leadership of the Ba'ath Party's Palestinian branch in Syria and former Yarmouk Camp official. The armed forces of the Free Palestine Movement have been described as "rag-tag militia" and include the Saraya Bader, the Al-Aqsa Shield Forces as well as the Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni [...] In December 2023, the Free Palestine Movement organized a "solidarity stand" in the Yarmouk Camp to protest against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip "Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)"). Other Syrian Palestinian individuals and representatives such as several Palestine Liberation Army officers and PPSF "Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (1991)") leader Khalid ʽAbd al-Majid also took part in the protest. [...] Battalions. Like other pro-government militias in Syria, the Free Palestine Movement reportedly attracts new recruits with relatively high monthly salaries, as many young Syrian Palestinians are in precarious economic conditions due to the civil war and mass unemployment. By November 2018, 24 fighters had died while fighting in the Syrian Civil War for the FPM.
- USCPR: Home
USCPR is a political home for all who believe that freedom for the Palestinian people is an integral part of achieving our collective liberation. We provide resources and strategic support to the U.S.-based Palestine solidarity movement, driving positive change in public opinion. We work with local organizers and activists, movement leaders, media, and advocacy organizations to advance a rights-based, accountability and justice-oriented framework from the U.S. to Palestine. Join us [...] ## Take Action ### Take Action ## THE MOVEMENT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT With you behind us, Palestinian liberation is within our reach. You can take action now in solidarity with the Palestinian people who are fighting to remain in and return to their homeland. Find out what you can do right now, and how you can continue building the movement for the future. LEARN MORE ## Resources ### Resources ## Activist Resources [...] Boycott, Divestment, and SanctionsUS Military Funding to IsraelStop Gaza Genocide ToolkitEthical Travel to PalestineSpeakers and Trainers ## Joint Struggles Indigenous StrugglesBlack Palestine SolidarityFaithwashing & IslamophobiaComprehensive Curriculum ## Join Us ### Join Us ## JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS ## U.S. Military Funding to Israel Map LEARN MORE ## NEW: Updated STOP GAZA GENOCIDE TOOLKIT TAKE ACTION WITH THE UPDATED TOOLKIT
- Palestine Liberation Organization - Wikipedia
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO; Arabic: منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية, romanized: Munaẓẓamat at-Taḥrīr al-Filasṭīniyyahⓘ) is a Palestinian nationalist coalition that is internationally recognized as the official representative of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territories. It is currently represented by the Palestinian Authority based in the West Bank city of Al-Bireh. [...] | | [...] The PLO incorporates a range of generally secular ideologies of different Palestinian movements "committed to the struggle for Palestinian independence and liberation," hence the name of the organization. It's formally an umbrella organization that includes "numerous organizations of the resistance movement, political parties, and popular organizations." From the beginning, the PLO was designed as a government in exile, with a parliament, the Palestine National Council (PNC), chosen by the
- Pro-Palestine Protests Near You: Stop the Gaza Genocide - USCPR
Our collective safety is connected. We can’t afford one more day of genocide. ### Why Are People Protesting Israel? Pro-Palestine activists and student demonstrators are expressing their outrage that American taxpayers have funded Israel’s genocide on the Palestinian people, while abandoning Americans to climate catastrophe. Our movement demands an end to U.S. military funding of the settler-colonial state of Israel.