Palestinian hijacker invited to Parliament for Zuma's SONA

10 February 2015 - 14:58 By Staff reporter
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After announcing that Leila Khaled would be welcomed at Johannesburg's airport on her arrival by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, lobby group BDS South Africa said today that the Palestinian "icon" had been invited as a guest of parliament by its presiding officers to hear President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address.

"Palestine solidarity and human rights organisation, BDS South Africa, together with all progressive supporters of Palestine's right to self determination, welcome Leila Khaled's invitation to attend SONA. Leila Khaled has inspired many liberation leaders, not just in South Africa, but across the world. Khaled attending SONA is a sign of the great respect South Africans have for her and her incredible commitment towards the self determination and freedom of Palestine," the group said in a statement.

They added: "Leila Khaled has had a wonderful South African trip thus far, with huge support from the liberation movement and ruling party, the ANC, as well as from the thousands of supporters across the country".

"Leila Khaled's presence at SONA should be seen as a clear sign that South Africa is a friend of Palestine."

The purpose of Khaled's visit to South Africa is to raise funds for BDS, best known for its campaign against shopping at retailer Woolworths. The group wants a trade ban between Israel and South Africa in solidarity with Palestine.

Khaled hijacked a plane in 1969. All passengers were quickly released except for two Israelis who were kept hostage for two months before being exchanged for 71 Syrian and Egyptian soldiers held by Israel.

After this, Khaled had six plastic surgery operations to disguise her identity.

In 1970, she charged the cabin of another plane mid-flight with a male accomplice, who was shot by guards. She was knocked unconscious before she could do anything with the grenades she was holding. She had removed the pins of the grenades with her teeth.

Khaled served 28 days in a UK jail before being released in a prisoner swap. She has since lived in Jordan and Palestine.

 

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