REMEMBERING GADDAFI'S SUPPORT FOR PALESTINE

Libya’s revolutionary leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was born on this day, 7 June 1942, in the district of Sirte. Gadaffi had strong views on many subjects, including Israel's actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and West Asia at large.  

In this 1988 speech, he alleged that Israel wanted to expand and occupy Arab lands, with historic Palestine being a ‘frontline.’ He lauded Palestinians for holding back Israeli attacks, for if they failed, other Arab states would be next. Further, Gaddafi also stated that a ‘new, angry Arab generation’ is ready to unite and liberate Palestine.

Gaddafi condemned Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (1918-81) for signing the 1979 Camp David Accords that led Egypt to recognise Israel, which started diplomatic ties and prompted Egypt to sign many bilateral agreements with Israel, while taking pressure off winning freedom and justice for the Palestinians. 

The 2011 US-led NATO invasion led NATO-backed ‘rebels’ to k*ll Gaddafi, transforming the once-most prosperous African state into a fractured territory riddled by conflict and slave markets.