Hijacker welcomed in capital
In 1969 Khaled, who is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was part of a team that hijacked a passenger plane flying from Rome to Athens. After the incident she underwent plastic surgery to conceal her identity and allow her to take part in another plane-hijacking attempt in 1970.
MBOMBELA – The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine was once again placed under the spotlight this weekend when the Palestinian resistance icon and liberation hero, Ms Leila Khaled, paid a visit to Mbombela.
Khaled, who is best known for her role in a series of passenger aircraft hijackings in 1969 and 1970, was invited to South Africa by president Mr Jacob Zuma to attend the State of the Nation Address (Sona) last week. She, however, prolonged her South African stay and paid a visit to Mbombela on a Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) South Africa Fundraising Speaking Tour over the weekend.
Although Khaled’s visit was condemned by many, especially Jewish citizens, deputy minster of rural development and land reform, Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini, welcomed her on Saturday at the city hall.
Mr Kebby Maphatsoe of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Millitary Veterans Association, also welcomed her visit and said in a statement that it would contribute to serve the purpose to bolster solidarity with the Palestine people’s struggle for their birthright in their country, and expose the wanton murder of Palestinians by the terrorist Israel Defence Force.
During Khaled’s visit she said it was time for the whole world to know the reality of the conflict between Israel and Palestine and added that if peace was not established in Palestine, the whole world would be in trouble, including South Africa.
She encouraged South Africans to support them in their battle to freedom and join the various boycott campaigns.
BDS together with the National Coalition 4 Palestine earlier called for the complete boycott of Woolworths until it ended its Israeli trade links.
“Woolworths is being called on to take the lead in ethical retail business, to respond to the call from its consumers, to be on the right side of history, to respect the international boycott of Israel and end its over R12 million worth of trade with Israel,” BDS South Africa said.
Mashego-Dlamini also called upon all South Africans as well as businesses to support Palestinians and BDS in their fight for freedom.
“People across all nine provinces, especially in Mpumalanga and the Western Cape, should make a better effort and show their support.”
In 1969 Khaled, who is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, was part of a team that hijacked a passenger plane flying from Rome to Athens. After the incident she underwent plastic surgery to conceal her identity and allow her to take part in another plane-hijacking attempt in 1970.
She was delivered to Ealing Police Station in the UK and was later released by British government in exchange for hostages taken in a further hijacking.
