Naïm Khader Plaque

Tragically, on a quiet morning of June 1st, 1981, the peace was shattered. Right here, in front of the Naïm Khader Plaque, a life dedicated to dialogue and understanding was abruptly ended. The Naïm Khader Plaque stands as a stark reminder of this tragic event. It commemorates the life and untimely death of Naïm Khader, the first representative of the PLO to Belgium and Europe. Khader, born in Zababdeh, Palestine, in 1939, was a Christian intellectual who dedicated his life to advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He believed in a democratic Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel. He arrived in Belgium in 1966, earning his doctorate in law and later in international law at the UCL. The 1968 occupation of the West Bank spurred him to join Fatah. He soon became the unofficial representative of the PLO, a role officially recognized by Belgium in 1976. Khader tirelessly engaged in diplomatic missions, fostering dialogue within the Euro-Arab Dialogue, the United Nations, and the European Parliament. He built bridges with the Jewish community in Belgium. He helped gain recognition for the Palestinian cause in Europe. In 1976, he co-founded the Belgo-Palestinian Association. Then, on that fateful June morning, Naïm Khader was assassinated outside his home. The Naïm Khader Plaque marks the spot where he fell, a victim of violence. The perpetrators were never definitively identified. Theories pointed fingers at Israeli secret services or extremist Palestinian groups, leaving the truth shrouded in mystery. The case remains unsolved. This plaque not only commemorates Naïm Khader but also symbolizes the ongoing struggle for peace. Ixelles, the municipality where the Naïm Khader Plaque stands, twinned with Khader’s birthplace, Zababdeh, in 2003. This act underscores the lasting legacy of Khader’s message of peace and reconciliation. Let us remember Naïm Khader not just for his tragic end, but for the hope he represented. He championed dialogue and understanding, a message as vital today as it was then. The Naïm Khader plaque serves as a reminder of the cost of conflict and the importance of pursuing peace.