Israel Matzav

In his book, author Aaron Klein describes how Israel tracked down Wadia Haddad, an operative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, in Baghdad. Haddad had gone into hiding in the Iraqi capital after Israel began killing Palestinian militants around the world, Klein told Israel Radio.

Suspected in multiple hijackings, including the 1976 takeover of an Air France airplane in Entebbe, Uganda, Haddad knew from the Israeli tactics that he could be shot or bombed as he walked the street or when picking up a phone.

Haddad was cautious of his every move, avoiding travel outside of Iraq, said Klein, a Time magazine correspondent in Jerusalem. But the 140-kilogram (309 pounds) food lover had a weakness: chocolate.

In Baghdad of 1977, luxuries like fine chocolates were rare. Through a Palestinian working with the Mossad who had gotten close to Haddad, the agency was able to feed Haddad chocolate brought from Belgium and spread with poison over six months, Klein said.

Haddad died in March 1978, showing only symptoms of leukemia but no signs of poisoning, Klein told the radio.

"This elimination was very successful because, as soon as this person was taken out and stopped working, in effect all the terrorist activity, especially the hijacking of airplanes, ceased altogether," Klein said.

Now you know those accusations about Israel poisoning Arafat are going to start again soon.

The book - in case you are interested - is called "Striking Back."