Alexander Kerensky vs Ismail Haniyeh

After the February Revolution, Kerensky was appointed Minister of Justice in the Provisional Government. He was the only socialist in the cabinet and became a key figure in the government, advocating for continued war effort and gradual reforms.

Kerensky, as Prime Minister, accused General Lavr Kornilov of attempting a coup and dismissed him. Kornilov then marched troops toward Petrograd. Kerensky armed the Bolshevik Red Guards to defend the city, which strengthened the Bolsheviks' position and undermined the Provisional Government.

During the October Revolution, Bolshevik forces led by Lenin seized key points in Petrograd and stormed the Winter Palace. Kerensky fled the city in a car provided by the American embassy, leaving the Provisional Government to collapse. He later went into exile.

After fleeing Russia, Kerensky settled in Paris and later the United States. He wrote memoirs and continued to advocate for democratic socialism, but failed to gain significant support. He remained a controversial figure, blamed by both the left and right for the failure of the Provisional Government.

Ismail Haniyeh became Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority after Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections. This led to a political crisis and international isolation of the Hamas-led government.

After clashes with Fatah, Haniyeh's Hamas forces seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. This split the Palestinian territories into two rival governments: Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank.

Haniyeh led Hamas during multiple Israeli military operations in Gaza, including Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009) and Operation Protective Edge (2014). These wars resulted in heavy Palestinian casualties and destruction.

Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, 2024, by an explosion at his residence. He was in Iran for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran and Hamas blamed Israel for the attack.