Leila Khaled

Synopsis

Dubbed 'the poster girl of Palestinian militancy', Leila Khaled's image flashed across the world after she hijacked a passenger jet in 1969. The picture of a young, determined looking woman with a checkered scarf, clutching an AK-47, was as era-defining as that of Che Guevara.

In this intimate profile, based on interviews with Khaled and those who know her, Sarah Irving gives us the life-story behind the image. Key moments of Khaled's turbulent life are explored, including the dramatic events of the hijackings, her involvement in the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (a radical element within the PLO), her opposition to the Oslo peace process and her activism today.

Leila Khaled's example gives unique insights into the Palestinian struggle through one remarkable life - from the tension between armed and political struggle, to the decline of the secular left and the rise of Hamas, and the role of women in a largely male movement.

Summary

Chapter 1: Roots of Revolution

* Explores Leila Khaled's early life in Lebanon and the Palestinian refugee camps.
* Describes her childhood memories of Israeli airstrikes and displacement.
* Key event: Witnessing the Israeli bombing of her home in 1967.

Chapter 2: The Road to Resistance

* Details Khaled's involvement in the Palestinian resistance movement.
* Describes her training in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
* Real example: Her participation in a military operation in Jordan in 1968.

Chapter 3: Operation Sycamore

* Focuses on the infamous hijacking of a TWA plane in 1969 by Khaled and Patrick Arguello.
* Describes their motivations for the attack on Israeli targets.
* Real example: The hostage negotiation and the subsequent release of prisoners.

Chapter 4: Behind Enemy Lines

* Chronicles Khaled's experiences as a political prisoner in Israel.
* Describes the harsh conditions and interrogations she endured.
* Key event: Meeting and befriending fellow PFLP member Ulrike Meinhof.

Chapter 5: The Long Road Home

* Details Khaled's release from prison in 1970 as part of a prisoner exchange.
* Describes her return to Jordan and her continued involvement in the Palestinian struggle.
* Real example: Her marriage to Fayez Abu Imad, a fellow PFLP member.

Chapter 6: Legacy and Redemption

* Examines Khaled's impact on the Palestinian cause and the broader Middle East conflict.
* Addresses the criticism she faced as a female hijacker.
* Real example: Her current work as a political activist and a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

Chapter 7: Surviving the Past

* Explores Khaled's personal life and the challenges she faced as a mother and a revolutionary.
* Describes her struggles with depression and her efforts to reconcile her past with her present.
* Key event: Her son's death in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Chapter 8: A Future for Palestine

* Discusses Khaled's vision for a future Palestinian state.
* Examines her ongoing advocacy for a two-state solution and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
* Real example: Her involvement in peace negotiations and her work with international solidarity organizations.