Officials in Johannesburg, South Africa, are contemplating renaming a significant street in the city after a Palestinian woman who was involved in a plane hijacking over 50 years ago. The proposal has sparked criticism from various political parties and the Jewish community in the city.
The street in question, located in the financial district of Sandton, is being considered for renaming after Leila Khaled, an 80-year-old Palestinian militant and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) group. Khaled gained notoriety in 1969 for being part of a group that hijacked a Trans World Airlines flight from Rome to Tel Aviv, making her the first woman to hijack a plane. The following year, Khaled was involved in an attempted hijacking of an Israeli Airlines flight from Amsterdam to New York City, resulting in the death of the other hijacker.
While Israel views Khaled as a terrorist, she is regarded as a hero and freedom fighter by Palestinians and some supporters in South Africa. The PFLP, to which Khaled belongs, is considered by Israel and its Western allies as a terrorist organization. The proposed renaming of the street has reignited tensions between South Africa and Israel, with the two countries being critical of each other in a contentious case before the United Nations.
The initiative to rename the street after Khaled was first raised in 2018 by the pro-Palestinian minority party Al Jama-ah, supported by the ruling African National Congress (ANC). However, the proposal faced opposition from groups such as the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF), who argue that honouring Khaled in this manner would sow division and be disrespectful to the Jewish community in Johannesburg.
Sandton Drive, the current name of the street under consideration, is a major thoroughfare in Sandton, known for its affluent status as the wealthiest square mile in Africa. Despite objections from some political parties, proponents of the renaming see it as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause and a recognition of the struggle for justice and freedom.
The public has until mid-October to voice their opinions on the potential renaming, with differing views reflecting the complex historical and political relationships at play. The debate around this proposal highlights the overlapping narratives of liberation struggles, international solidarity, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict that continue to shape discussions and actions in South Africa and beyond.