A heartfelt letter from survivor – Juan Rodriguez – of the terrorist attack by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) is challenging the Joburg municipality’s proposal of renaming Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled.
The survivor of the 1972 Lod Airport Massacre detailed how a bloodbath ensued when he went on a religious vacation to Israel, which led to the murder of his then 20-year-old girlfriend, Carmen Crespo.
The PFLP launched a terrorist attack and killed 26 other people.
“When we landed at the Lod Airport, we joined other passengers in the arrivals hall. Then out of nowhere, gunfire erupted. I was shot in the leg. It was terrifying, but I was lucky – the bullet did not go deeper.
“My girlfriend, Carmen, was not as fortunate. She was standing next to me when she was shot several times, including once in the head. She died instantly,” said Rodriguez.
He stated that the bloody scene filled with bodies remains etched in his memory five decades later.
The proposal to rename Sandton Drive after Palestinian political figure and brass member of the PFLP, Leila Khaled, was met with several objections from organisations and political parties.
While the metro maintained that the controversial proposal is meant to strengthen relations with Palestine, the opposition faction was concerned that it would harm South Africa’s diplomatic ties with the US.
The US Consulate is located on Sandton Drive.
Khaled’s notorious political career against the oppression of Palestinians saw her being linked to aircraft hijackings and mass killings organised by the PFLP.
Although a Puerto Rican, Rodriguez firmly said honouring Khaled would be an injustice to her victims and an insult to the country’s democracy after battling the apartheid regime.
“South Africa is known around the world as a country that stands for freedom, democracy, and human rights. It would be a tragedy if such a legacy were tarnished by having the name of Khaled darken its streets.
“Naming a road after someone with the blood of innocent people on their hands does not help build peace, unity or justice for any country,” said Rodriguez.
He further warned that should the motion succeed, it would jeopardise SA’s diplomatic ties with Puerto Rico.
“For us, the survivors of the Lod Massacre, and for all Puerto Ricans, the idea of honouring Khaled in this way is painful beyond words. It is hard to believe this is even considered in Johannesburg. If this renaming happens, I fear it will create a lasting wound between our two nations,” said Rodriguez.
He added that renaming Sandton Drive after Khaled would “cheapen” the horror that anti-apartheid heroes faced during the Struggle.
“There are so many South Africans who have fought bravely for real justice and freedom,” he said.
As the South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) strongly disapproved of the incoming name change, it echoed Rodriguez’s stance that the metro should abandon the proposal.
SAZF spokesperson, Rolene Marks, said Khaled is the epitome of terrorism, who repeatedly violated human rights during her political reign of terror.
“While Johannesburg rightfully seeks to create a more inclusive public sphere through its renaming policy, Khaled represents the absolute antithesis of the values our democracy was built upon.
“She has no connection to our city or country, and continues to advocate for violence and extremism to this day. Why would we choose to honour someone whose only claim to fame is spreading terror and death,” said Marks.
The Star
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