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{{Short description|Palestinian Arab diplomat and writer (1934 – 1972)}}
{{Palestinians}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
''' Wael Zuaiter''' ({{lang-ar|وائل زعيتر}}) was a ] translator, terrorist and the first target of ] ] campaign following the 1972 ].


'''Abdel Wael Zwaiter''' ({{langx|ar|وائل زعيتر}}; also known as '''Wa'el Zu'aytir''';<ref>Khalidi, Rashid. ''The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017.'' Kindle edition. Profile Books, 2020. </ref> 2 January 1934 – 16 October 1972) was a ] writer and translator. He was assassinated as the first target of ]'s ]. Israel considered Zwaiter a terrorist for his role in the ],<ref>] and ]. (2005). ''Massacre in Munich''. The Lyons Press. p. 146</ref> while his supporters argued that he was "never conclusively linked" with Black September or the Munich massacre and was killed in retribution.<ref>Johnson, Ken. ''New York Times''. 12 February 2009.</ref><ref>Simon, Bob. ]. 21 November 2001</ref> Today Zwaiter is regarded with a high degree of certainty as innocent.<ref>Stéphanie Duncan (2022): Espions, une histoire vraie. Paris, ]/Éditions Tallandier. ISBN 979-1-02105452-3. Chapter: ] pp. 30–39; p. 32</ref>
Zuaiter was born in ] in the mid-1930s as son of . He went to ] and studied Arabic literature and philosophy at the ]. Zuaiter moved then to ] and afterwards to ], where he was a ] representative and worked as a translator for the Libyan ]. In addition to his native ], Zuaiter spoke ], ], and ]. During his time in ] Zuaiter translated '']'' from Arabic into Italian.


==Early life and education ==
⚫ Zuaiter was held for questioning by Italian police in August 1972 in relation to a bombing by the group ] against an oil refinery, but was later released. The Israeli ] suspected him of being the head of Black September in Rome, and put him on an assassination list after Black September's attack in Munich. When he returned to his apartment building on the night of October 16, 1972, he was shot 11 times by two Israeli agents, killing him.
Abdel Wael Zwaiter was born in ] in 1934, the son of ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021063439/http://www.passia.org/palestine_facts/personalities/alpha_z.htm |date=21 October 2014}} Passia.org.</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061004114931/http://www.passia.org/passia_files/photo_gallery/historical_figures/historical_figures_A5.htm |date=4 October 2006}} Passia.org.</ref>

He went to ] and studied Arabic literature and philosophy at the ].{{cn|date=December 2024}}

==Career ==
Zwaiter moved then to Libya and afterwards to ], where he was a ] representative and worked as a translator for the Libyan ].{{cn|date=December 2024}}

In addition to his native ], Zwaiter spoke ], ], and ]. During his time in Italy, Zwaiter was in the process of translating '']'' from Arabic into Italian, but according to ], he never completed this.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

== Killing ==
⚫ Zwaiter was held for questioning by Italian police in August 1972 in relation to a bombing by the group Black September against an oil refinery, but was later released. The Israeli ] suspected him of being the head of Black September in Rome, and put him on an assassination list after Black September's attack in ]. When he returned to his apartment building on the night of 16 October 1972, he was killed by two Mossad agents who shot him 11 times in the lobby of the building – one bullet for each Israeli athlete killed.<ref>{{cite thesis|author=James Bruce Phillips|title=Administrative revenge|year=1987
|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/303585950?pq-origsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true|page=38|location=]|degree=PhD|isbn=979-8-206-39314-9|id={{ProQuest|303585950}}}}</ref>

⚫ At the time, Zwaiter was the PLO representative in Italy, and while Israel privately claimed he was a member of Black September and was involved in a failed plot against an ] airliner, members of the PLO have argued that he was in no way connected. ], deputy-chief of the PLO, stated that Zwaiter was "energetically" against political violence.<ref>Nasr, Kameel B. ''Arab and Israeli Terrorism: The Causes and Effects of Political Violence, 1936–1993''. McFarland & Company, 1996. {{ISBN|0-7864-0280-6}} p. 68</ref> Zwaiter was living with his partner Janet Venn-Brown, an Australian artist, in Rome.<ref>{{cite web|title=Murdered for being Palestinian; Wael Zuaiter remembered 40 years on|website=The Electronic Intifada|date=24 September 2011 |url=https://electronicintifada.net/content/murdered-being-palestinian-wael-zuaiter-remembered-40-years/10418|access-date=27 October 2023|author=Sarah Irving}}</ref>

The ] (PCI) declared that it disapproved of the killing of Zwaiter.<ref name=cdem/> A funeral ceremony was held for Zwaiter in Rome with the attendance of many people, including officials of the PCI.<ref name=cdem>{{cite journal|last=Martino|first=Claudia De|title=Israel and the Italian Communist Party (1948–2015): From fondness to enmity|journal=Communist and Post-Communist Studies|volume=48|issue=4|year=2015
|doi=10.1016/j.postcomstud.2015.07.004|jstor=48610416|page=285}}</ref> He was buried in his hometown, Nablus.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fotografie di Zuaiter e dei familiari|language=it|website=Lazio 900|access-date=27 October 2023|url=https://www.lazio900.it/oggetti/55302-fotografie-di-zuaiter-e-dei-familiari/}}</ref>

A top Mossad official who looked at the Zwaiter file years too late admitted that “it was a terrible mistake.” Palestinians have long insisted that Zwaiter was a peaceable intellectual who abhorred violence.<ref>]: Rise and Kill First – The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations</ref>{{better source|date=December 2024}}


⚫ At the time Zwaiter was the PLO representative in ], and while Israel privately claimed he was a member of Black September and was involved in a failed plot against an ] airliner, members of the PLO have argued that he was in no way connected. ], deputy-chief of the PLO, has stated that Zwaiter was "energetically" against terrorism.<ref>Nasr, Kameel B. ''Arab and Israeli Terrorism: The Causes and Effects of Political Violence, 1936–1993''. McFarland & Company, 1996. ISBN 0-7864-0280-6 p. 68</ref>
==Portrayal in film== ==Portrayal in film==
*Abdel Wael Zwaiter is portrayed by actor ] in ]'s ]. * Wael Zwaiter is portrayed by actor ] in ]'s '']''.
*, installation in the 2007 La Biennale di Venezia by ] * "Material for a film": Retracing Wael Zuaiter (Part 1)], installation in the 2007 La Biennale di Venezia by ].<ref>{{cite web| title="Material for a film": Retracing Wael Zuaiter (Part 1)|website=The Electronic Intifada|date=9 July 2007|access-date=27 October 2023| url=https://electronicintifada.net/content/material-film-retracing-wael-zuaiter-part-1/7054}}</ref>
*Emily Jacir: , 16 July 2007, The Electronic Intifada *Emily Jacir: "Material for a film": A performance (Part 2)], 16 July 2007, The Electronic Intifada<ref>{{cite web|title="Material for a film": A performance (Part 2)|website=The Electronic Intifada|date=8 July 2007|url=https://electronicintifada.net/content/material-film-performance-part-2/7053|access-date=27 October 2023}}</ref>
**Najwan Darwis: Emily Jacir’s Material for a Film: Ongoing homage and artistic revenge for Wa’el Zuaiter.<ref>{{cite web|author=Najwan Darwish |title=Emily Jacir’s Material for a Film: Ongoing homage and artistic revenge for Wa’el Zuaiter|url=http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2359&ed=149&edid=149|website=This Week in Palestine|archive-date=13 November 2013|issue=117|date=January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113185657/http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2359&ed=149&edid=149}}</ref>
**Najwan Darwis:


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}
⚫ *Klein, Aaron J. ''Striking Back: The 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and Israel's Deadly Response''. New York: Random House, Inc., 2005. ISBN 1-4000-6427-9


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
⚫ *Klein, Aaron J. ''Striking Back: The 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and Israel's Deadly Response''. New York: Random House, Inc., 2005. {{ISBN|1-4000-6427-9}}
*Janet Venn-Brown (ed.) (English): ''For a Palestinian: A Memorial to Wael Zuaiter'',  1984 ISBN 0710300395
*Janet Venn-Brown (ed.) (Italian): ''Per un palestinese. Dediche a più voci a Wael Zuaiter,'' Roma, 2002, ISBN 8880220896 *Janet Venn-Brown (ed.) (English): ''For a Palestinian: A Memorial to Wael Zuaiter'', 1984. {{ISBN|0-7103-0039-5}}
*] (1984). ''Before Their Diaspora: A Photographic History of the Palestinians, 1876-1948''. Institute for Palestine Studies. ISBN 0887281443 (Has picture of Wael Zuaiter as a child with his father and brother, see also (scroll down the page)) *] (1984): ''Before Their Diaspora: A Photographic History of the Palestinians, 1876-1948''. Institute for Palestine Studies. (Has picture of Wael Zuaiter as a child with his father and brother, see also (scroll down the page). {{ISBN|0-88728-144-3}}
*]: ''In memoria di Wael e di Nablus'', in '']'' (daily), Rome, September 9, 1993.

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Latest revision as of 13:40, 15 December 2024

Palestinian Arab diplomat and writer (1934 – 1972)

Abdel Wael Zwaiter (Arabic: وائل زعيتر; also known as Wa'el Zu'aytir; 2 January 1934 – 16 October 1972) was a Palestinian writer and translator. He was assassinated as the first target of Israel's Mossad assassinations following the Munich massacre. Israel considered Zwaiter a terrorist for his role in the Black September group, while his supporters argued that he was "never conclusively linked" with Black September or the Munich massacre and was killed in retribution. Today Zwaiter is regarded with a high degree of certainty as innocent.

Early life and education

Abdel Wael Zwaiter was born in Nablus in 1934, the son of Adel Zu'aiter.

He went to Iraq and studied Arabic literature and philosophy at the University of Baghdad.

Career

Zwaiter moved then to Libya and afterwards to Rome, where he was a PLO representative and worked as a translator for the Libyan embassy.

In addition to his native Arabic, Zwaiter spoke French, Italian, and English. During his time in Italy, Zwaiter was in the process of translating One Thousand and One Nights from Arabic into Italian, but according to Emily Jacir, he never completed this.

Killing

Zwaiter was held for questioning by Italian police in August 1972 in relation to a bombing by the group Black September against an oil refinery, but was later released. The Israeli Mossad suspected him of being the head of Black September in Rome, and put him on an assassination list after Black September's attack in Munich. When he returned to his apartment building on the night of 16 October 1972, he was killed by two Mossad agents who shot him 11 times in the lobby of the building – one bullet for each Israeli athlete killed.

At the time, Zwaiter was the PLO representative in Italy, and while Israel privately claimed he was a member of Black September and was involved in a failed plot against an El Al airliner, members of the PLO have argued that he was in no way connected. Abu Iyad, deputy-chief of the PLO, stated that Zwaiter was "energetically" against political violence. Zwaiter was living with his partner Janet Venn-Brown, an Australian artist, in Rome.

The Italian Communist Party (PCI) declared that it disapproved of the killing of Zwaiter. A funeral ceremony was held for Zwaiter in Rome with the attendance of many people, including officials of the PCI. He was buried in his hometown, Nablus.

A top Mossad official who looked at the Zwaiter file years too late admitted that “it was a terrible mistake.” Palestinians have long insisted that Zwaiter was a peaceable intellectual who abhorred violence.

Portrayal in film

  • Wael Zwaiter is portrayed by actor Makram Khoury in Steven Spielberg's Munich.
  • "Material for a film": Retracing Wael Zuaiter (Part 1)], installation in the 2007 La Biennale di Venezia by Emily Jacir.
  • Emily Jacir: "Material for a film": A performance (Part 2)], 16 July 2007, The Electronic Intifada
    • Najwan Darwis: Emily Jacir’s Material for a Film: Ongoing homage and artistic revenge for Wa’el Zuaiter.

References

  1. Khalidi, Rashid. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017. Kindle edition. Profile Books, 2020.
  2. Michael Bar-Zohar and Eitan Haber. (2005). Massacre in Munich. The Lyons Press. p. 146
  3. Johnson, Ken. "Material for a Palestinian’s Life and Death". New York Times. 12 February 2009.
  4. Simon, Bob. "An Eye for an Eye". CBS News. 21 November 2001
  5. Stéphanie Duncan (2022): Espions, une histoire vraie. Paris, France Inter/Éditions Tallandier. ISBN 979-1-02105452-3. Chapter: Mike Harari pp. 30–39; p. 32
  6. "Palenstinian Personalities". Archived 21 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Passia.org.
  7. "Historical Events". Archived 4 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine Passia.org.
  8. James Bruce Phillips (1987). Administrative revenge (PhD thesis). University of North Carolina at Greensboro. p. 38. ISBN 979-8-206-39314-9. ProQuest 303585950.
  9. Nasr, Kameel B. Arab and Israeli Terrorism: The Causes and Effects of Political Violence, 1936–1993. McFarland & Company, 1996. ISBN 0-7864-0280-6 p. 68
  10. Sarah Irving (24 September 2011). "Murdered for being Palestinian; Wael Zuaiter remembered 40 years on". The Electronic Intifada. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  11. ^ Martino, Claudia De (2015). "Israel and the Italian Communist Party (1948–2015): From fondness to enmity". Communist and Post-Communist Studies. 48 (4): 285. doi:10.1016/j.postcomstud.2015.07.004. JSTOR 48610416.
  12. "Fotografie di Zuaiter e dei familiari". Lazio 900 (in Italian). Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  13. Ronen Bergman: Rise and Kill First – The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations
  14. ""Material for a film": Retracing Wael Zuaiter (Part 1)". The Electronic Intifada. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  15. ""Material for a film": A performance (Part 2)". The Electronic Intifada. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  16. Najwan Darwish (January 2008). "Emily Jacir's Material for a Film: Ongoing homage and artistic revenge for Wa'el Zuaiter". This Week in Palestine. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013.

Further reading

  • Klein, Aaron J. Striking Back: The 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and Israel's Deadly Response. New York: Random House, Inc., 2005. ISBN 1-4000-6427-9
  • Janet Venn-Brown (ed.) (English): For a Palestinian: A Memorial to Wael Zuaiter, 1984. ISBN 0-7103-0039-5
  • Khalidi, Walid (1984): Before Their Diaspora: A Photographic History of the Palestinians, 1876-1948. Institute for Palestine Studies. (Has picture of Wael Zuaiter as a child with his father and brother, see also here (scroll down the page). ISBN 0-88728-144-3
  • Nico Perrone: In memoria di Wael e di Nablus, in il manifesto (daily), Rome, September 9, 1993.
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