Italian Inge
Italian Ingenuity: The Achille Lauro Incident
Fifty years ago, on October 7, 1985, the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro became an epicenter of international tension when it was hijacked by a Palestinian militant group off Egypt’s coast. This event led to a deadly confrontation and the murder of American Jewish passenger Leon Klinghoffer. The crisis, known as the “Achille Lauro Affair,” culminated in a diplomatic standoff between Italy, the United States, and other nations involved.
Italian diplomacy during this period was marked by a complex web of negotiations and tactical maneuvers. Italian Ambassador to Cairo, Giuseppe Migliuolo, famously described their approach as finding an “inghippo” — a unique solution or clever trick. This term became emblematic of Italy’s handling of the crisis, characterized by intricate political maneuverings.
The Achille Lauro Affair began when four members of the Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) seized control of the ship, taking passengers hostage and murdering Leon Klinghoffer. After two days, the hostages were released in exchange for safe passage to Tunisia. However, a major twist ensued when an Italian military aircraft carrying the hijackers landed at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily.
The subsequent events unfolded with dramatic flair, showcasing Italy’s complex relationship with both terrorism and its global allies. The hijackers were handed over by the Italian Carabinieri, despite resistance from American Delta Force operatives present on-site, escalating tensions between Washington and Rome. While the United States demanded the extradition of one of the chief militants, Abu Abbas, to face charges including piracy and murder, Italy navigated a diplomatically delicate path.
The Italian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Bettino Craxi and Foreign Minister Giovanni Spadolini, opted for a middle course that ultimately saw the suspects being spirited away from justice. They were hidden in an Egyptian cultural institute in Rome, which was granted extraterritorial status, and later helped escape to Yugoslavia.
This maneuver by Italy drew sharp criticism from the United States and Israel while straining relations with Egypt and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Italian officials, particularly Prime Minister Craxi and Foreign Minister Andreotti, defended their actions as preserving diplomatic immunity and sovereignty. However, this decision was widely perceived as prioritizing political expediency over justice.
The Achille Lauro Affair remains a significant chapter in Italy’s post-war history, illustrating the challenges of balancing national interests with international pressures. It serves as a poignant example of “Italian ingenuity” — a blend of diplomatic acumen and controversial pragmatism that left an indelible mark on global politics during the Cold War era.
The incident underscored the complexities faced by nations entangled in Middle Eastern conflicts, highlighting Italy’s strategic but contentious role on the international stage. It is a tale of political bravado, intricate diplomacy, and the enduring quest for national sovereignty amidst global demands.