Famous Palestinian Leaders

Ismail Haniyeh was a Palestinian politician and leader of Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by several countries. He earned a bachelor's degree in Arabic literature and became involved with Hamas during the First Intifada. Haniyeh served as Prime Minister of the State of Palestine after winning the 2006 elections. He was head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip until 2017 when he became chairman of Hamas's Political Bureau. During his tenure, Hamas carried out attacks on Israel, leading to conflict and international scrutiny. Haniyeh was assassinated in 2024.

Ahmed Yassin was a Palestinian politician and imam who founded Hamas in 1987. He served as the spiritual leader of Hamas, a Palestinian militant Islamist and nationalist organization in the Gaza Strip. Yassin was designated a terrorist by the US, EU, and other countries. He was held responsible for the killing of Israeli civilians by the Israeli government. Yassin was killed in 2004 by an Israeli helicopter gunship while being wheeled from Fajr prayer in Gaza City. His funeral was attended by 200,000 Palestinians.

Hanan Ashrawi is a prominent Palestinian politician, activist, and scholar. She has held various leadership positions within the Palestinian Authority, PLO, and civil society organizations. Ashrawi served as the official spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation during the Madrid Peace Conference, Minister of Higher Education and Research, and member of the Executive Committee of the PLO. She founded important organizations such as the Independent Commission for Human Rights, MIFTAH, and the National Coalition for Accountability and Integrity. Ashrawi is also a prolific author and has received numerous prestigious awards and honorary doctorates for her work in promoting peace, human rights, and democracy.

Khalil Ibrahim al-Wazir, also known as Abu Jihad, was a prominent Palestinian leader and co-founder of the nationalist party Fatah. He played a crucial role in Fatah's military activities, eventually becoming the commander of its armed wing al-Assifa. Al-Wazir was involved in establishing connections for Fatah with Communist regimes and third-world leaders, as well as in supplying Palestinian fighters with weapons during conflicts. He planned attacks against Israel and organized youth committees in the Palestinian territories, contributing to the First Intifada.

Abu Nidal, also known as Sabri Khalil al-Banna, was a Palestinian militant who founded the Abu Nidal Organization (ANO) after splitting from Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction in 1974. Operating as a freelance contractor, he orchestrated attacks in 20 countries, resulting in over 300 deaths and 650 injuries. The ANO gained notoriety for the ruthless nature of its operations, including the Rome and Vienna airport attacks in 1985. Abu Nidal's death in 2002 under mysterious circumstances raised speculation about his ties to various intelligence agencies.

Marwan Barghouti is a Palestinian political leader known for his involvement in the First and Second Intifadas. Initially supporting the peace process, he later became disillusioned and rose to prominence as a leader of Tanzim, a paramilitary group. He has been convicted and imprisoned by Israel for his role in deadly attacks, including directing suicide bombings. Despite his incarceration, Barghouti continues to exert significant influence within Fatah and beyond, with speculation about his potential as a unifying candidate to succeed Mahmoud Abbas.

Saeb Erekat was a Palestinian politician and diplomat who served as the secretary general of the executive committee of the PLO from 2015 until his death in 2020. He played a key role in early negotiations with Israel and served as the chief negotiator from 1995 to May 2003. Erekat briefly resigned from the Palestinian government in protest but later reconciled with the party and was reappointed to his post in September 2003. Throughout his career, Erekat was known for his dedication to Palestinian diplomacy and peace negotiations.

Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, is a prominent Palestinian political figure who has held various leadership positions since the early 2000s. He has been the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) since 2004, president of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) since 2005, and president of the State of Palestine since 2005. Abbas also served as the first prime minister of the Palestinian Authority from March to September 2003. Throughout his career, Abbas has been involved in negotiations and agreements with various Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas.

Salam Fayyad is a Palestinian politician and economist who served as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority and the finance minister. He held the position of Finance Minister from June 2002 to November 2005 and from March 2007 to May 2012. Fayyad was appointed Prime Minister between June 2007 and June 2013. Known for introducing reforms that significantly improved the Palestinian economy, he later became a visiting senior scholar at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Yasser Arafat was a prominent Palestinian political leader who served as chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and president of the Palestinian National Authority. He was a key figure in advocating for Palestinian self-determination and played a significant role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Arafat co-founded the Fatah political party and led it for several decades, overseeing military operations against Israeli targets. He later shifted towards negotiations and peace efforts, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Oslo Accords.

Amin al-Husseini was a Palestinian Arab nationalist and Muslim leader known for his opposition to Zionism. He served in various roles including as the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, where he promoted Islam and advocated for Arab nationalism against Zionism. He fled from arrest during the Arab revolt in Palestine, seeking refuge in Lebanon, Iraq, Fascist Italy, and Nazi Germany during World War II. He later participated in establishing the All-Palestine Government in Gaza but was eventually sidelined by the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Salah Shehade was a prominent figure in the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, known for leading the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. He played a significant role in orchestrating various militant activities against Israel. Shehade was considered a key figure in Hamas' military operations until his assassination by Israel. His leadership and strategic planning within the organization contributed to the ongoing conflict in the region, making him a divisive and controversial figure in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Rami Hamdallah is a Palestinian politician and academic who served as prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority from 2014 to 2019. He was also the president of An-Najah National University in Nablus. Hamdallah was appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas to succeed Salam Fayyad as prime minister, a decision that was not recognized by Hamas. He is a member of Fatah but is considered a political independent by some sources. Hamdallah resigned in 2013 but was asked to form a new government shortly after, eventually becoming the head of the unity government in 2014 before resigning in 2019.

Kamal Nasser was a prominent Palestinian political leader, writer, and poet known for his role as a spokesman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization in the early 1970s. He was dedicated to advocating for the Palestinian cause and played a significant role in representing the organization's views and aspirations to the international community. Nasser's work contributed to raising awareness about the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and rights, making him a respected figure in the political and literary spheres during his career.

Abu Ali Mustafa was a prominent Palestinian militant who served as the General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization by Israel and Western states. He was a key figure in the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and played a significant role in the armed struggle against the Israeli occupation. Mustafa led various military operations and was known for his uncompromising stance against Israel, advocating for the use of all means, including armed struggle, in the fight for Palestinian rights.

Ahmad al-Shukeiri was a prominent Palestinian political leader who played a significant role in the establishment and leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Serving as the organization's first Chairman from 1964 to 1967, Shukeiri was dedicated to advocating for Palestinian rights on the international stage. His leadership helped to unify Palestinian factions and gain recognition for the Palestinian cause. Shukeiri's work laid the foundation for the Palestinian national movement and set the stage for future efforts towards Palestinian self-determination.

Zuheir Mohsen, an Arab of Palestinian origin, was a prominent figure in the Ba'athist As-Sa'iqa faction of the PLO. With a background in the Jordanian Ba'ath Party, he rose to leadership after supporting Hafez al-Assad's takeover in Syria. Mohsen's involvement in the National Command of the Ba'ath Party further solidified his influence. Known for his active role during the Jordanian occupation of the West Bank, Mohsen's professional life was marked by his leadership within the PLO and his dedication to the Palestinian cause.

Khalida Jarrar is a Palestinian politician and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Elected to the PLC in 2006, she has been serving as an elected representative since then. Jarrar is the Palestinian representative on the Council of Europe and heads the Prisoners Committee of the PLC. She played a significant role in Palestine's application to join the International Criminal Court. Jarrar has faced multiple arrests and legal challenges by Israeli authorities, including charges related to her criticism of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Vera George Ghattas Baboun is a Palestinian politician who made history as the first female mayor of Bethlehem. She holds a master's degree in African-American literature and has a background in education, having served as a principal at a high school and lecturer at a university. Baboun has also been active in various organizations focusing on family and children, as well as gender studies research. Her work includes examining the impact of information technology on women's empowerment in the Arab world.

Faisal Husseini was a prominent Palestinian politician known for his dedication to the Palestinian cause. He played a vital role in advocating for Palestinian rights, particularly in Jerusalem, and was a key figure in the peace process. Husseini was involved in various political initiatives, negotiations, and peace talks, working towards a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He was respected for his leadership, commitment to diplomacy, and efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.

Fatima Mohammed Bernawi was a Palestinian figure involved in the Palestinian Freedom Movement during the mid-1960s, a crucial time in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She gained notoriety as the first Palestinian woman to orchestrate a terrorist attack in Israel, specifically the attempted bombing of a movie theatre in October 1967. Her professional life was marked by her active participation in the resistance movement, where she played a significant role in challenging the Israeli occupation and advocating for Palestinian rights through militant actions.

Rehavam Ze'evi was an Israeli general and politician known for founding the far-right nationalist Moledet party. He advocated for the forced relocation of the entire Palestinian population through population transfer. Ze'evi's professional life was marked by his military service and political career, where he played a prominent role in advocating for his nationalist views. He was tragically assassinated by a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in retaliation for the assassination of the PFLP's Secretary General.

Janet Mikhail, also known as Janet Michael or Janet Khouri, is a Palestinian Christian who served as the first female mayor of Ramallah in the West Bank, Palestine. Prior to her mayoral role, she was a dedicated head teacher at a girls' school in Ramallah for two decades. Mikhail's political career began when she was chosen as mayor in 2005 by the city council. She ran as an independent candidate and was associated with the "Ramallah for All" list, ultimately winning the mayoral election with the support of various factions in the council.

Haidar Abdel-Shafi was a prominent Palestinian physician, community leader, and political figure. He played a significant role as the head of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid Conference of 1991, where he represented the Palestinian people in crucial peace negotiations. Throughout his professional life, Abdel-Shafi was known for his commitment to serving his community and advocating for Palestinian rights on the international stage. His leadership and dedication to the Palestinian cause made him a respected figure both in Palestine and globally.

Laila Shawa was a Palestinian visual artist known for her impactful work that reflected the politics of her country, focusing on injustices and persecution. Growing up in Gaza, she developed a revolutionary mindset influenced by her father's activism. Her diverse body of work, including paintings, sculptures, and installations, often incorporated silkscreen printing on photographs. Shawa's art has been widely exhibited internationally and is featured in prestigious collections like The British Museum. She was regarded as a leading figure in the Arabic revolutionary contemporary art scene.

Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti was a Palestinian politician known for her membership in Hamas and her service as a former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Her professional life was marked by active involvement in political affairs, particularly during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. Tragically, she was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza. Al-Shanti's dedication to her political role and her commitment to the Palestinian cause left a lasting impact on the political landscape of the region.

Elias Mitri Freij was a prominent Palestinian politician who served as the mayor of Bethlehem for 25 years, from 1972 to 1997. He was known for his international connections and successfully secured financial support for various infrastructure projects in Bethlehem. Freij was respected for his independence from the PLO and his ability to maintain his position despite political challenges. He also held key roles in organizations such as Bethlehem University and the Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating his influence and leadership in the community.

Samiha al-Qubaj Salameh Khalil was a Palestinian charity worker and a prominent figure in Palestinian politics. She founded the In'aash al-Usra society, the largest Palestinian welfare organization. Khalil was the first and only female member of the National Front Committee and the National Guidance Committee. She was tied to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, detained multiple times by the IDF, and placed under town-arrest. Khalil ran for president of the Palestinian Authority in 1996, remaining active in politics until her death in 1999.

Intissar al-Wazir, also known as Umm Jihad, is a prominent Palestinian politician with a long history of involvement in various political and social organizations. She has held positions in the Palestinian Legislative Council and the Palestinian National Authority, including serving as the Social Affairs Minister. Al-Wazir has been actively engaged in advocating for the rights and well-being of Palestinian women, founding the General Union of Palestinian Women. Additionally, she has been a member of the Fatah-Central Committee and has played key roles in various councils and organizations within the Palestinian political landscape.

Umm Nidal, also known as Mariam Farahat, was a prominent Palestinian activist and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for Hamas. She gained the nickname "Mother of Martyrs" due to her sons' involvement in attacks against Israel. Known for her support for Hamas and close association with its leadership, Umm Nidal was a significant figure during the Second Intifada and was considered one of the most influential Islamist female leaders in Palestine. Her role in Palestinian politics and activism spanned over two decades.

Mai Al-Kaila is a prominent figure in Palestinian health and politics. She is a doctor, diplomat, and politician who made history as the first woman to serve as the Health Minister of Palestine. With a PhD in public health and health administration, she has played a significant role in leading the Palestinian Medical Council. Al-Kaila is actively involved in the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, contributing her expertise and experience to advance healthcare and public health initiatives in Palestine.