Palestine Liberation Front Hijacks MS Achille Lauro
Four armed men from the Palestine Liberation Front hijacked the MS Achille Lauro, a cruise ship, while sailing off the coast of Egypt. The hijackers took control of the ship, which was carrying over 400 passengers and crew members. They demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, leading to a standoff that lasted several days, culminating in the murder of a disabled American passenger, Leon Klinghoffer. The event drew international attention and raised concerns about maritime security and terrorism.
Passengers were held hostage for days.
Leon Klinghoffer was murdered by hijackers.
Four men hijacked a passenger cruise ship.
Event raised global awareness of maritime terrorism.
What Happened?
The hijacking of the MS Achille Lauro by four armed members of the Palestine Liberation Front marked a significant incident in the history of maritime terrorism. The cruise liner was sailing from Alexandria, Egypt, to Port Said on October 7, 1985, when the hijackers seized control of the vessel. They were motivated by a desire to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians and demanded the release of 50 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. The hijackers held the passengers hostage, leading to a dramatic standoff with law enforcement and military authorities. Among the passengers was Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old American Jews who was tragically killed during the hijacking, further shocking the global community.As negotiations unfolded, the hijackers became increasingly desperate, and their actions resulted in the ship being diverted to several locations, including Egypt and later to Tunisia. Throughout the ordeal, the passengers were subjected to psychological and physical threats. The hijacking concluded when the hijackers surrendered to Egyptian authorities after a negotiated release deal. Eventually, they managed to escape capture by fleeing to Tunisia eventually. The Israeli government expressed outrage over the killing of Klinghoffer, which led to heightened tensions between Israel and Palestine. This incident also contributed to changes in international security measures on passenger vessels and increased scrutiny of airline and maritime safety protocols.
Why Does it Matter?
The hijacking of the MS Achille Lauro is interesting because it serves as a pivotal moment in the escalation of international terrorism, particularly linked to political motivations surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlighted vulnerabilities in maritime security and triggered a global reevaluation of how terrorism was addressed, showcasing both the operational tactics of terrorist organizations and the complexities of hostage negotiations on a multinational level. Additionally, the brutal nature of the incident, especially the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, sparked public outrage and debate regarding terrorism and its innocent victims.