Letters/Discussion Forums
Khaled issue will come back to haunt SA government
The ANC government sends out perplexing mixed signals in feting convicted hijacker and terrorist Leila Khaled. To be kind, one can call this woman now in her seventies a “has been” terrorist, but that would be to give legitimacy to her heinous criminal past.
Jules Ozlovsky
Cabinet ministers – and even a beaming Ronnie Kasrils – fell over each other to be seen with her and to bask in her “glory”. She has been lauded as a struggle icon for the Palestinian cause, with not a hint of condemnation for her hijacking crimes and her repugnant statements on Israel. Not a trace of regret.
Is this the best BDS-SA can come up with to bolster their coffers? And the Cabinet ministers and other ANC dignitaries who are fawning over her, have they thought about the long-term message they send out? Morality cannot be selective. What applies to Leila Khaled must surely apply – in their book – to other terrorists as well?
Surely the ANC cannot be so bankrupt that they elevate Khaled to hero status?
She got enough publicity in South Africa, alright, and BDS must be smiling “all the way to the bank”. But what a price to pay for this short-term gain! What can Khaled contribute to the Middle East issue? She has no standing, just notoriety.
It was rather pathetic seeing the BDS’ promotional material featuring a young Khaled with an AK-47, defying the world.
I believe the Khaled issue will still come back to bite the government in the back. The government should surely show some statesmanship.
Jerusalem