South African Zionist Federation consults legal team on moves name streets after terrorists

12 October 2023

The South African Zionist Federation strongly condemns the proposed name change of Sandton Drive to honour the Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled of the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The PFLP is an internationally-designated terrorist organisation.

In light of the current situation in Israel, where over 1000 Israelis were brutally murdered, 2000 injured, and hundreds kidnapped, raped and traumatised, it seems unthinkable that the City of Johannesburg would spend its time on honouring a despicable terrorist.

Khaled gained notoriety when she was the first female hijacker who commandeered an EL Al plane from Amsterdam in September 1970. She has also actively participated and co-ordinated in many terror attacks in Israel on individuals and against religious establishments.

The blood of innocent civilians has not yet dried homes and party venues from the latest onslaught of terror in Israel, and yet the City of Johannesburg is honouring not the victims, but the terrorists.

The South African Zionist Federation cannot allow this rhetoric and ideology to taint the streets of Johannesburg. We are in consultation with our legal teams on this issue, and advise the City of Johannesburg not to take this further.

Issued by Rowan Polovin, Chairman, South African Zionist Federation, 12 October 2023