The City of Johannesburg’s proposal to rename Sandton Drive as “Leila Khaled Drive” is deeply divisive and directly contravenes the city’s own street renaming policy. Leila Khaled gained notoriety as the first woman to attempt an aircraft hijacking in 1969.
Another failed aeroplane hijacking by Khaled involved her accomplice throwing a grenade at passengers, and shooting a crew member, though the grenade failed to detonate. To venerate violence and honour such an individual is an affront to peace-loving South Africans, including the Jewish community in Johannesburg.
Khaled is a long standing member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an organisation designated a terror group by the United States, Japan, Canada, and the European Union. The PFLP was jointly responsible for the 1972 Lod airport massacre, in which terrorists opened fire on passengers arriving in Tel Aviv, killing 26 people and injuring 80.
The South African Zionist Federation (SAZF) strongly opposes this decision, which is open for public comment until 18 October. The proposal blatantly disregards Johannesburg’s 2017 policy on naming streets and public places, which emphasises names with local significance, fostering unity, and building a cohesive community.
SAZF spokesperson Rolene Marks stated: “Renaming Sandton Drive after a failed terrorist with ties to a globally recognised terrorist organisation not only sows division among residents but also contradicts the city’s renaming policy. It potentially burdens businesses with address changes and undermines confidence in the city.”
Marks added: “This change appears deliberately provocative towards the U.S. Consulate located on Sandton Drive, potentially discouraging American investment in Johannesburg. It’s particularly concerning given that the U.S. government has officially designated the PFLP as a terrorist organisation.”
As South Africa celebrates Heritage Day, the focus should be on commemorating individuals who have positively shaped the country’s history and values. Khaled’s infamy extends beyond failed hijackings. She continues to advocate for violence and terror against Israelis to this day. In recent years, she has made statements supporting “resistance in all its forms, first and foremost through armed struggle”.
Honouring a figure associated with violence and ongoing advocacy for militant solutions contradicts the principles enshrined in the South African Constitution. The SAZF condemns the City of Johannesburg’s apparent attempt to appease extremist minorities at the expense of offending a significant portion of the city’s residents. This political manoeuvre is viewed as both malicious and counterproductive, especially during a time when the nation should be celebrating its unique history and unity.
The SAZF urges residents to voice their opposition during the public comment period and calls on the City of Johannesburg to reconsider this divisive proposal in favour of a name that truly reflects the spirit of unity and progress that defines South Africa – as is required by its own policy. Honouring an individual linked to an internationally recognised terrorist group sends a troubling message about the city’s values and priorities.
