Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 13.06.2026
Professor David Peimer
Raid on Entebbe: What Does It Mean Today?
Saturday 13.06.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 13 June at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
The remarkable 1976 raid on Entebbe redefined counterterrorism: A small nation state could mount a military rescue deep in hostile foreign territory. It shattered the illusion of international hijackers who thought another country’s sovereignty would be a shield for terrorism. It also showed democracies they could project power to protect their citizens anywhere in the world. But, today, as the gathering storm for democracies looms, what does Entebbe represent? We explore this fascinating question in the 1977 film dramatization and in the reality of the raid.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.