Palestinian resistance icon in PH to oppose Apec
Leila Khaled, Palestinian resistance icon and two-time plane hijacker, is now in the Philippines to join fellow global activists protesting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit.
Khaled was among the personalities present at the opening of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle’s (ILPS) 5th international assembly held in Quezon City.
Hailed as freedom fighter by those in the resistance movement and declared a terrorist by others, Khaled had strong words against the Apec, which is composed of 21 member economies including the Philippines.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) member said Apec won’t bring any good to the people.
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“Not for the Philippines and not for anyone in the world. It’s for the Philippines to own their resources and to own their sovereignty over their land,” she said.
Khaled said Apec wants a new world system which is based on its own interests.
“Their interests contradict with our interests, also as people. We are struggling for freedom. In Apec freedom is for the powers and not for the people,” she explained.
Khaled said the ILPS represents people who are fighting for sovereignty and freedom.
READ: Palace warns foreign activists on restrictions during Apec
The PFLP is a resistance movement in Palestine that was created after Israel’s occupation of West Bank in 1967.
Khaled was involved in two hijacking incidents led by the group, one in 1969 and another in 1970. Since then, she has become an icon for the Palestinian resistance movement and other similar groups. KS/CDG
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