Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2015-02-06
Palestinian activist Leila Khaled has arrived in South Africa welcomed by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and anti-Apartheid icon Ahmed Kathrada at OR Tambo International Airport.
Khaled will be addressing various fundraising gatherings arranged by anti-Israel lobby group Boycott Divestment and Sanction South Africa (BDS) during her ten day visit (6th and 16th of February 2015).
Khaled’s visit has sparked debate with pro-Israel supporters saying they are appalled by BDS’s decision to bring a so called notorious plane hijacker to the country.
Dubbed “the poster girl of the Palestinian struggle”, Khaled’s image flashed across the world after she hijacked a passenger jet in 1969 and made world history by becoming the first woman to hijack an airplane.
Khaled is also no stranger to South Africa having met former President Nelson Mandela in 2006.
Her visit has been welcomed by groups including the ANC’s Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association and student body the South African Congress of Students (COSAS) saying Palestinians stood with South Africa during Apartheid and now deserves support against Israeli oppression.
However some groups have expressed outrage at Khaled’s visit to the county.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) said by depicting Khaled as a heroic figure, whom people should identify with, BDS is sending out the worst possible message at a time when the world needs to unite against terrorism.
BDS has defended her visit reminding the groups that Mandela was also on the USA terrorism watch list until 2008 but was invited around the world.
“The diversionary tactic of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies trying to connect the resistance fighter Leila Khaled to terrorist acts is completely disingenuous,” Mohammad Desai from BDS told Radio Islam.
“Leila Khaled has been welcomed by our country, by our organistaions and by our people and it’s a huge embarrassment for the South African Jewish Board of deputies who are trying to discredit her with the aim of trying to get her to cancel her visit to South Africa. They should hang their heads in shame,” Desai said.
BDS said, like Mandela Khaled was a controversial person but still remains a struggle icon worthy to be invited to fundraising events.
Khaled will deliver several lectures in Polokwane, Cape Town and finally Durban for the main event.
She will be joined on her SA tour by, Ahmed Kathrada (anti-apartheid struggle icon), Malusi Gigaba (South African Government Minister and ANC NEC member) and Ronnie Kasrils (Former SA Government Minister and MK Commander) amongst others.
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