Famous People Born In Nazareth

The mother of Jesus Christ and the wife of Joseph, Mary, also known as the Virgin Mary, finds mention in both the New Testament and the Quran. Though most Catholic scholars believe in traditional Marian dogmas, Protestants have often argued, questioning ideas such as the Assumption of Mary.

Moanes Dabour is an Arab-Israeli football player who plays as a forward for the Israel national team and the Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. During the 2012–13 season, Dabour scored 10 goals in 26 matches and helped the Maccabi Tel Aviv Football Club win the Israeli League Championship, their first championship victory after a ten-year period.

Hany Abu-Assad is a Palestinian film director who has been nominated for the Academy Award twice. Born in Israel, he immigrated to the Netherlands, where he studied aerodynamics. He worked as an airplane engineer for several years before beginning his film career. He joined the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2014. 

Elia Suleiman is a Palestinian film director. His 2002 film Divine Intervention won the Jury Prize at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Early in his career, he co-directed the experimental documentary Introduction to the End of an Argument.  He has also directed many feature films. In addition to his entertainment career, he is a professor at the European Graduate School.  

James, brother of Jesus, was a Christian apostle and led the Jerusalem Christians. Mentioned in the Gospels as one of the four brothers of Jesus. He was apparently stoned to death or thrown from a tower by priestly authorities. Some scholars believe he was more of a cousin of Jesus.

Maisa Abd Elhadi is a Palestinian actress best known for her role in the TV series Baghdad Central. She grew up in a middle-class family and began her career as a theater actress. After acting in numerous stage productions, she forayed into cinema and TV. She was reportedly shot by Israeli forces while participating in a peaceful demonstration in 2021. 

Haneen Zoabi is an Israeli Arab politician. She is credited with co-founding a non-governmental organization called I'lam – Media Center for Arab Palestinians in Israel. She served as the general director of the NGO before resigning to concentrate on her political career.

A passionate believer in the Palestinian cause, Juliano Mer-Khamis was an Israeli-Palestinian actor, theatre director and filmmaker, known especially for his 2004 documentary film, Arna's Children. Also the founder of the Jenin Freedom Theatre, he was a symbol of the bi-national dream, advocating cooperation between Palestine and Israel. Assassinated in 2011, he stood firmly against religious dogma and gender oppression.