Nayef Hawatmeh

Hawatmeh split from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to establish the DFLP, a Marxist-Leninist Palestinian faction. The DFLP advocated for a secular, democratic state in Palestine and became a significant player in the Palestinian national movement.

Hawatmeh's DFLP was among the first Palestinian factions to publicly endorse a two-state solution, accepting a Palestinian state alongside Israel. This position marked a significant shift from the PLO's earlier rejection of Israel and influenced later peace negotiations.

Hawatmeh and the DFLP initially opposed the Oslo Accords but later engaged in dialogue. The DFLP's stance evolved, and Hawatmeh participated in discussions about Palestinian self-governance, though the faction remained critical of the final agreement.

Hawatmeh led the DFLP to formally renounce armed struggle and focus on political and diplomatic efforts. This decision aligned the faction with the Palestinian Authority and marginalized it among more militant groups, reducing its operational capacity.