Palestinian militants planned to kill Hawke

BOB Hawke, as Labor Party and ACTU president, faced assassination in 1976 at the hands of Palestinian militants for his strong pro-Israel views.

BOB Hawke, as Labor Party and ACTU president, faced assassination in 1976 at the hands of Palestinian militants for his strong pro-Israel views.

And he wasn't alone. ASIO also believed prominent pro-Jewish figures Isi Liebler and Sam Lipski were on the hit list.

Cabinet documents reveal security authorities and the government were deeply concerned about the rising tide of Palestinian terrorism. ASIO believed pro-Palestinian terrorists had a clear operational interest in Australia.

Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine official Abou Rish visited Australia in 1974 in the guise of a journalist.

ASIO believed he planned to return in July or August 1975 to prepare for the assassination of the Israeli ambassador.

To that end, a local PFLP member improperly obtained two Australian passports. A local PFLP supporter had discussed with Rish how he could enter Australia illegally.

"It also emerged that, in addition to the Israeli ambassador, three prominent Australians - RJ Hawke, president of the ALP and ACTU, and Zionist spokesman Isi Liebler and (journalist) Sam Lipski - were regarded by the PFLP as suitable targets for future attack," ASIO said.

Rish never made the trip.

AAP