Ali Hassan Salameh

From Free net encyclopedia

(Difference between revisions)

Revision as of 14:03, 14 April 2006
Joshdboz (Talk | contribs)
link
Next diff →

Current revision

Image:Alihassansalameh.jpg Ali Hassan Salameh (1943 – January 22, 1979) was the chief of operations — code name Abu Hassan - for Black September, the terrorist organisation responsible for the Munich Massacre (1972) and other attacks; he was also the founder of Force 17.

Salameh was born in the Palestinian town of Qula to a wealthy family. He was the son of Shaykh Hassan Salameh, who was killed fighting Israelis in 1948, North of Jaffa. He was educated in Germany and is thought to have received his military training in Cairo and Moscow.

He had a very popular appeal for Palestinian young men; his nickname underlined his popularity — the "Red Prince" flaunted his wealth, surrounded by beautiful women and driving sports cars, all while fighting Israel. He married Georgina Rizk, who was Miss Universe 1971.

After the Munich Massacre he was hunted by the Israeli Mossad during Operation Wrath of God. In 1973 Mossad killed an innocent Moroccan waiter, Ahmed Bouchiki in what became known as the Lillehammer affair, mistaking Bouchiki for Salameh.

Mossad assassinated Salameh in Beirut on the 22 January 1979 using a remote-controlled car bomb. Eight other people were also killed in the explosion.<ref> Shalev, Noam 'The hunt for Black September', BBC News Online, 26 January, 2006, accessed 14 March, 2006.</ref>

According to several sources, Salameh served as a secret contact between the PLO and the CIA from 1970 until his death, guaranteeing Americans' safety in exchange for financial and political support. He helped protect Americans in Beirut, and his role was to facilitate contacts between the Palestinians and Americans, in hope of obtaining American support for the Palestinians.

Ali Hassan Salameh was featured in the plot of the Spielberg movie Munich, as one of the assassination targets.

[edit]