Leila Khaled

ModernRevolutionaryPalestine1944 — ?

PFLP female airplane hijacker and activist.

Compare Leila Khaled with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

1944

Country

Palestine

Era

Modern

Occupation

Revolutionary

Score Overview

Military (10%)30

Political (20%)35

Influence (20%)46

Legacy (20%)35

Leadership (15%)65

Strategy (15%)30

Total Score41.2

Leila Khaled — Complete Timeline

1969 AD

Hijacked TWA Flight 840Political Action◆ Major

Khaled participated in the hijacking of TWA Flight 840 from Rome to Athens. The plane was diverted to Damascus, where passengers were released after the plane was blown up. The operation brought global attention to the Palestinian cause.

HijackingPFLPTerrorism

Impact: globaldestructive

1970 AD

Hijacked El Al Flight 219Political Action◆ Major

Khaled attempted to hijack El Al Flight 219 from Amsterdam to New York. Israeli security forces foiled the attempt, and Khaled was captured and handed over to British authorities. She was later released in a prisoner exchange.

HijackingPFLPEl Al

Impact: globaldestructive

Became Icon of Palestinian ResistanceCultural◆ Major

After the hijackings, Khaled became a globally recognized symbol of Palestinian armed struggle. Her image, often showing a keffiyeh and holding a gun, was widely circulated in media and propaganda.

IconPropagandaPalestinian cause

Impact: global