Leïla Khaled

Leïla Khaled (rear RTL ليلىخالد) was born the April 9th 1944 with Haïfa. It is member of the Liberation popular front of Palestine (PFLP). It is currently member of the Palestinian National council.

Khaled was made known in 1969 while becoming the first woman to hijack a plane and the following year by diverting some another.

She divorced its first husband and remariée herself. She lives today with her two sons with Amman, Jordan.

Childhood

Khaled left Haïfa in May 1948, a little before the proclamation of Israel. It leaves to Tyr.

Into the 15 years age, Khaled integrates the Arab Nationalist movement (MNA) of Georges Habache and joined there his/her brother.

After having been boarder at the evangelic American with Saïda and to have obtained its vat in 1962, it is registered with the American Université of Beirut. Money lack, it stops its studies and leaves to teach with the Kuwait.

End 1968, the MNA becomes the Liberation popular front of Palestine (PFLP).

Hacking

Beginning 1969, it leaves its station of teaching to follow a special military training in a base of the PFLP to Jordan.

The August 29th 1969, Leïla Khaled makes team with the boxer Salim Issaoui with for objective diverting flight 840 of a Boeing 707 of TWA ensuring the connection Los Angeles/Tel-Aviv. Gone up to Rome during a stopover, they take the control of the plane a little after takeoff and force it to go to Damas. They pass symbolically above Haïfa (birthplace of Khaled but also of Issaoui). With Damas, they make evacuate the 116 people present at edge of Boeing and make it jump.

After having undergone an operation of cosmetic surgery which modifies the face to him, the September 6th 1970, Khaled, accompanied by young American of Nicaraguan origin and sympathizer of the Palestinian cause, Patrick Arguello, tries to divert flight 219 of El Al of Amsterdam towards New York. The group is of under-number since two other men should have been present. The diversion of Khaled was a failure since it will be controlled and that Arguello will be made kill. This diversion belonged to a series of almost simultaneous diversions carried out by the PFLP. The pilot hijacks the plane towards Hearthrow with London where Khaled is delivered to the local police.

October 1st 1970, the British government releases it in prisoner exchange. The following year, the PFLP gave up the tactics of the diversion, although other movements continue to hijack planes, most famous having for result the Raid of Entebbe of 1976.

Another operation

In June 1971, it plans the action of a commando of the PFLP against a tanker of the Red Sea.

From 1972 with today

Wadie Haddad separates from it. It continues nevertheless to militate for the PFLP.

Leïla Khaled indicated in the interviews that it developed leaning for the Great Britain at the time of its first stay in prison. It also developed friendly relations with two the police affected ones to keep it and later corresponded with them. Khaled continued to turn over to Great Britain to discuss until in 2002, date on which its request for visa was refused by the British embassy whereas she wished to go to a meeting to Belfast.

Khaled indicated that she does not believe any more in the diversions of planes. According to Khaled: " It is not a peace process. It is a political process where the balance of the forces is for the Israelis and not for us. They have all the charts in hands and the Palestinians do not have anything. "

It is today member of the Palestinian National council (CNP) and the General union of the Palestinian Women.

One often sees it on the Arab chains during emissions.

External bond

Interview of Leïla Khaled

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