Achille Lauro Hijackers Intercepted, October 10, 1985

Today in 1985, two US Navy F-14 Tomcats from the USS Saratoga intercepted an Egyptian 737 carrying the terrorists responsible for the Achille Lauro hijacking. The mid-air confrontation demonstrated American resolve in bringing terrorists to justice. It also brought two staunch allies to diplomatic 'blows' over which nation had the right to hold and try the Palestinians. What would become known as the Achille Lauro incident began on October 7th, when Palestinian terrorists took control of the Italian cruise ship. There were over 400 passengers and crew aboard of various nationalities. The hijackers immediately demanded the release of fifty members of Palestinian Liberation Front who were being held in Israeli prisons. The US learned that the terrorists had executed an American while onboard the Achille Lauro. The man was named Leon Klinghoffer, and he was confined to a wheelchair. He was also Jewish. He had been killed in cold blood not because of anything he had done, but because of where he was born and because of the faith he professed. The Achille Lauro incident suddenly became more than just an act of piracy.