Mahmud ‘Abbas [Abu Mazin]: Fatah founder member and former PA prime minister. b.1935, Safad; a 1948 refugee to Syria. Began activism when based in Syria (where also gained a BA in law); went on to work as director of personnel in Qatar’s civil service, & from there managed to organise Palestinian groups & came into contact with nascent Fatah. Joined 1st central committee, but stayed away from the main Palestinian political arena, eg residing in Damascus whilst PLO base was Beirut; key role in dealing with Fatah finances. Member of PNC since 1968; also gained a PhD from Moscow Oriental College in History (on Zionism). Led negotiations with Matityahu Peled that led to the announcement of "principles of peace" based on a 2 State solution (declared 1Jan77). Member of PLO-EC from Apr81; took over OTs portfolio after death of Abu Jihad. Served as PLO head of international relations from 1984-2000. Commenced secret talks with Israelis through Dutch intermediaries in 1989; & coordinated overall negotiating strategy during Madrid process. Oversaw negotiations that led to Oslo Accords, signing DoP on behalf of PLO. Also led negotiations in Cairo that became the Gaza-Jericho agreement & has headed the PLO’s Negotiating Affairs Department from its creation in 1994. His account of the negotiations is Through Secret Channels: The Road to Oslo (1995). Has risen to position of ‘Arafat’s deputy, is Sec-Gen of the PLO-EC (from Apr96). Returned to Palestine in Jul95. Has also served as head of the Palestinian Election Committee (1996-2002). His large new residences in Gaza and Ramallah have led to accusations of corruption. Touted as a potential Prime Minister for Palestine, and held a meeting at his house to discuss this on 23Sept02 - a prospect disowned in a subsequent Fatah statement. Strongly criticised the direction of the armed intifada at a meeting of Fatah leaders in Gaza in midNov02, urging instead the cessation of all military operations. ‘Arafat nominated him as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority on 7Mar03, and accepted this appointment on 19Mar03. An intense struggle with ‘Arafat over the composition of his cabinet was resolved on 23Apr in his favour, after he won the support of the US/UK (and possibly Israel) in appointing Dahlan to the internal security portfolio, with ‘Abbas himself taking on the position of interior minister. After repeated disagreements with ‘Arafat, tendered his resignation on 6Sept03. Went on to succeed ‘Arafat as chairman of PLO-EC after ‘Arafat's death in Nov04, and secured election as PA President in Jan05.

Muhammad ‘Abbas [Abu-l-‘Abbas]: leader of PLF. Different accounts either place him as b.1942 in Galilee or b.1948, Yarmuk camp, Syria, from parents of al-Tira; refugee to Syria who studied English & Arabic literature at Damascus Uni. After spell in PFLP, joined PFLP-GC in 1973 becoming its spokesperson. But opposed PF-GC’s support for Syrian invasion of Lebanon > formed PLF in Apr77; seat on PLO-EC from Nov84. Was arrested after Achille Lauro affair, after US diverted his plane to Sicily, but released after US failed to provide evidence; subsequent trial in absentia in Italy convicted him to life imprisonment (Jun86). US also forced him off PLO-EC in Oct91. Entered PA areas for Apr96 meeting of PNC, & apologised for murder of Leon Klinghoffer. Based in Baghdad since 1995, he was arrested when US forces took the city on 15Apr03.

‘Issam ‘Abd al-Hadi: long term leader of GUPW. b.1928, Nablus & based there until 1969, active in West Bank women's movement from 1949 & attended 1st PNC in this capacity, which led to the formal establishment of GUPW in Jul65, based in Jerusalem with assistance of the PLO's Department of Popular Organizations. Jordan banned activities of GUPW in 1966. Imprisoned & then deported (in Apr69) by Israel after arranging a sit-in and hunger strike at the gates of the Holy Sepulchre church to protest Israel's killing of women in Gaza. After deportation, initially worked through Save Jerusalem Committee in Amman. Then appointed to PLO-CC where began reestablishing GUPW in Lebanon in 1974. Opposed phased plan in Jul74, & voted against accepting SCR242 in 1988. Became president of General Union of Arab Women in 1981, & vice-pres of International Democratic Union of Women (1981-92). Returned to West Bank in mid93.

Hayil ‘Abd al-Hamid [Abu al-Hawl]: former Fatah leader. Refugee from Safad to Yarmuk refugee camp, nr Damascus; started in a school group, ‘Arab Filastin, which competed in League of Palestinian Students in mid50s. Then with Hani al-Hasan, coordinated Palestinian activism from W.Germany, & led this group into a merger with Fatah in 1963/4. Went on to lead Fatah groups in Egypt (which began to build relations with Nasir’s government) & Syria. Military training in China (Jul-Dec67); & again, after appointed Fatah’s rep to Cairo, in Egypt in mid69. Became head of security apparatus in Fatah from Apr73, taking over from Najjar, & co-opted on this basis into Fatah-CC. Assassinated in Jan91, together with Salah Khalaf, by the Abu Nidal faction.

Fu’ad ‘Abd al-Karim [Abu Ahmad Fu’ad]: PFLP military commander. ANM cadre before 1967, then PFLP sector commander for Jordan Valley (1967-70). A loyalist to Zabri, & promoted by him to military command in 1972. Is cousin of Sa‘id Muragha, whom he helped in plotting a coup in Jordan in mid70. Based in Damascus.

Khalid ‘Abd al-Majid: head of dissident faction of PPSF since Apr92, coordinating with the Damascus 10 in opposition to Oslo. Based in Damascus.

Bakr ‘Abd al-Munaym: ambassador to Canada. b.1942, Ramleh; a 1948 refugee to Amman. Studied at Cairo Uni as a Mechanical Engineer (BSc, 1966; MSc, 1975), heading a Jordanian power station in between for 7 years. Also obtained PhDs (Mech Eng in Czechoslovakia, 1983; Economics in Germany, 1985; Political Science in USA, 1988). Served as representative of GUPS at the International Union of Students (of which he was vice-president) from 1978-83. Member of the PNC from 1979; of Fatah-RC from 1989. PLO representative to Japan (1983-95), during which time he wrote several works on Palestine in Japanese (Palestine in My Heart, 1991; The PLO and the Gulf War, 1992; An Inside Story of the Middle East Peace Conference, 1993) as well as literary works in Arabic. From Jun95, has been ambassador to Canada, resident in Ottowa. Website here.

As’ad ‘Abd al-Qadir (As’ad Sulayman Hasan ‘Abd al-Qadir: “Salah al-Ta‘mari”): veteran Fatah leader in West Bank, from Bethlehem. b.1943(ish), son of a police station worker who left for Kuwait when he was young & died there. Studied English lit at Cairo Uni, a Nasirite, but joined Fatah in 1965, & became S-G of GUPS in Cairo. After 1967, was a Fatah commander in Jordan, taking control of Karama base. Also married Dina ‘Abd al-Hamid, King Husayn’s ex-wife. Left Amman only after PLO-CC intervention in 1971; then worked in S.Lebanon as the head of the PLO’s youth wing. Arrested by IDF in Sidon in 1982; after solitary confinement for 3 months, was transferred to Ansar prison camp in S.Lebanon, where he became chairman of the internees’ committee (memoirs of this in ASQ7/3, 1985). Won position in PLC as an independent, when not placed on the official slate, with easily the highest number of votes in the district; member of PLO-CC. Appointed spokesman of PA's "Emergency committee for the defence of Palestinian lands" (famously meeting British foreign sec Robin Cook at Jabal Abu Ghnaym in Mar98); and then given PA cabinet position, with new position to combat settlements, in Aug98. Member of Negotiations Affairs Department, with special responsibility for Israeli settlements. Headed Palestinian negotiating team to end the siege at the Church of the Nativity in May02. Lost his position in the PA cabinet in reshuffle of 9Jun02; led support for the no-confidence motion of 11Sept02 that led to the collective resignation of the PA cabinet. Profiles here and here; also relates his life story in Lynd, ed., Homeland, pp.66-70, 106-11, 122-45. Lives in Za'atra, SE of Jerusalem.

Hatim ‘Abd al-Qadir: leading Fatah member in Jerusalem. Started as a journalist before being imprisoned in the intifada era. Won first place in Fatah's Jerusalem primaries in 1995 to be a candidate on the Fatah list for the PLC elections. Became the secretary of the Jerusalem Committee in the PLC and member of the Public Monitoring committee. Critic of corruption (calling for fresh elections in May97 budget scandal) & human rights abuses, esp by Jibril Rajub’s force. Lives in Bayt Hanina; with election to PLC, opened his house for his constituents to consult him, which he preserved despite Israeli attempts to force him to stop.

Tayyib ‘Abd al-Rahim (full name: al-Tayyib ‘Abd al-Rahim Mahmud ‘Abd al-Halim)[Abu al-Tayyib]: Secretary to the PA presidency. Formerly, held a leftist position within the PLO; trained on a leadership course in China for Fatah members (Jul-Dec67); director of Fatah broadcasting (1969-70), director of Sawt al-Filastin radio (1973-8); PLO ambassador to China, Egypt, Yugoslavia. PNC member since 1977; Fatah-CC member, representing Fatah in the PLO-CC since Aug89. PLC member (Fatah) for Tulkarm, with highest votes in district (though only came 4th in the Fatah 1995 primary to select 4 candidates for the Fatah slate).

Ahmad ‘Abd al-Rahman (“Radwan”): PA cabinet secretary, advisor to ‘Arafat. Formerly, a communist who started a leftist network in Fatah during the early1970s; became editor-in-chief of Filastin al-Thawra during the mid70s, taking a strongly anti-Syria line during the Lebanon war. Later became head of Fatah’s information services; Fatah-CC member from early90s.

As‘ad ‘Abd al-Rahman: Independent PLO-EC member formerly in charge of Refugees Affairs Department; responsible for this issue in final status talks. b.1945, Jerusalem. Rose through ANM & PFLP, becoming member of PNC in 1969; then left to become an advisor to PLO-RC from 1970; obtained PhD in polsci from Uni.Calgary, Canada in 1973; then taught at Unis of Kuwait (1974-84) & Amman. Member of PLO-CC from 1977. Head of PA's High Council for Refugee Camps, established in late97. Resigned from the refugee portfolio in 2000, at protest at the direction of the Camp David talks.

Haydar ‘Abd al-Shafi: Gazan physician. b.Gaza, 1919, son of a Waqf custodian in Gaza & Hebron. Graduated in medicine from AUB in 1943, working briefly in Jaffa hospital & as a medical officer with Jordanian army. Member of Gazan Executive Council, directing medical services (1957-60); 1st chairman of legislative council of Gaza (1962-4); when PLO established in 1964, was member of 1st PLO-EC (1964-5) & became a member of the opposition to Shuqayri on it. Captured by Israel after ‘67, & held in isolated Sinai camp for 3 months in 1969; then deported for 2 months to Lebanon on 12Sept70 in retaliation for PFLP hijacking. Thereafter, was founder & director of Palestinian Red Crescent soc from 1972, providing free medical care & a forum for cultural activities. After vocal opposition to Camp David, was prevented from leaving Gaza, & Red Crescent was threatened with closure. Highly respected non-partisan figure, tho with links to PCP/PPP. Former Palestinian delegation leader to the Madrid Peace conference; resigned in Apr93, but resumed position under pressure – only to urge the suspension of Palestinian participation in the talks in May93. Eventually made final break with the Palestinian negotiating team over Oslo. Elected to PLC in 1996 as member for Gaza, gaining highest number of votes of any member. Ran for speakership of the PLC, but lost to Qurai‘ by 57-31 votes; instead took up leadership of the PLC’s political committee. Announced intention to resign from PLC in Oct97 on the grounds that it had been undermined by the PA Executive; came into effect from 30Mar98. Walked out of Apr96 PNC meeting, after ‘Arafat refused to allow him to present his case for not amending the PN Charter until Israel gave reciprocal recognition. A founding member of the Palestinian National Initiative, launched in Jun02.

(Adib) Yasir ‘Abd-Rabbu [Abu Bashir]: PA Cabinet Affairs minister from Apr03, previously serving as the long-time minister of information, culture & the arts. Is S-G of Fida. b.Jaffa, 1944/45; MA in Economics & Pol.Sci from Am.Uni Cairo. Came into ANM-PFLP around 1967, & was key figure in 1968 breakaway of P/DFLP, of which he became its deputy S-G & its representative on PLO-EC from 1973, heading Info & Culture department (1977-94). Has been consistently close to ‘Arafat, & took part in dialogue with Jordan & US 1988-90. After 1990-1 split & formation of Fida, he was a member of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid talks & helped to coordinate secret Oslo talks in 1993. Kept place in PLO-EC, where he heads the Media Department. Appointed to head the negotiating team to the final status talks; announced his resignation in May00 when secret talks in Sweden were revealed, but without effect. Mahmud ‘Abbas has sought to demote him in the PA to the position of minister without portfolio from Apr03. Was the lead Palestinian participant in the talks that led to the formulation of the Geneva accord (Oct 03).

Samir ‘Abdullah: Palestinian economist; serves as economic advisor and head of the Economic Policies Department at the Palestinian Prime Minister's Office. A leading member of the PPP, chair of the Arab Economists Association in Ramallah, editor of Palestine Economic Pulse, chief executive of the Palestinian Trade Development Centre. Was part of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid talks; but boycotted from Apr93. Short article (8Jan04) on impediments to Arab economic growth is here.

Ziyad Abu Amr: PLC member for Gaza city, PA minister for culture. b.1950; BA in English lit & language from Damascus Uni; worked as a teacher in Bahrain, Oman, Syria; then MA & PhD (1986) from Georgetown Uni on comparative politics. Teaches pol sci at BZU; books on Islamist movements & politics in Gaza 1948-67. Connected to Centre for Policy Analysis on Palestine (Washington) & Centre for Palestine Research & Studies (Nablus). Chair of PLC Pol committee, member of PLO-CC. Opposed amending the PN Charter at Apr96 PNC, until Israel gave reciprocal recognition of Palestinian right to statehood; criticised PA for arresting leftist activists in Dec01 statement. Widely respected, he organised the talks between the 12 major Palestinian factions within the WBG to determine the direction of the intifada in Jul-Aug02. Highly critical of the PA cabinet formed on 29Oct02.

Radwan Abu Ayyash: journalist. b.1950, from Askar camp, Nablus. Starting work with al-Sha‘b from 1975, & became editor of al-Awda (1982-6); headed Arab Journalists Assoc in OTs (1985-91), playing major role in presenting the intifada to the foreign press. Leading Fatah member in the West Bank, advisor to the Palestinian delegation at Madrid, & thereafter spokesman for Palestinian NGOs at UN. Appointed the head of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation in 1993, based in Ramallah.

Bahjat Abu Gharbiyya: Co-founder (with ‘Abdullah Rimawi and ‘Abdullah Nawas) of the Ba‘th Arab Party’s branch in Ramallah in 1952. Member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference, demanding the return of the Nabulsi government in 1957. Member of the first PLO-EC through his sympathies with PLF-PR, where he was head of the opposition to Shuqayri; again on PLO-EC in 1971-72, as the rep of the PPSF. Joined the Rejectionist front in 1974; stood as their candidate for presidency of the PNC in 1977, but beaten 172-69 by Fahum. Now is head of the Ibrahimiyya college in Jerusalem; & is still active politically, eg addressing major right of return rally in Amman in Dec01.

Mahmud Abu Hanud: former West Bank commander of Hamas' ‘Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigades. b.1967; graduated from Islamic College in Jerusalem. Active in 1987 intifada, he was wounded by an Israeli bullet in 1988. Deported to Marj al-Zahur in Dec92, he is believed to have acquired military training whilst there. After caught firing on settler vehicles near Nablus in 1994, was arrested by PA, though released soon after. Thought to have been responsible for training those responsible for 4Sept97 attack on Ben Yehuda street. Israel attempted to assassinate him in Asira al-Shamaliyya in Sept00, when the 3 Israeli soldiers were killed by their own side; he surrendered to PA police, who held him until 18May01, when Israel bombed his prison in Nablus. Finally killed on 23Nov01, when an Israeli missile hit his van outside Nablus.

Samih Abu Kuwayk [Qadri]: former Fatah leader. Originally a Ba‘thist, he joined Fatah in 1962-3, & served as secretary to Fatah’s regional command in Jordan from 1969 (briefly replaced by Hani al-Hasan in early70), became a member of Fatah-RC in Sept71, & assistant to Khalaf in Fatah’s Jordan Affairs Bureau (& maintained contacts with Abu Nidal group). Led Fatah’s leftist “Vietnamese” line, & elected onto Fatah-CC in May80. Led dissidents against ‘Arafat in Jan83; membership in Fatah-CC was frozen. As part of power struggle within the “corrective movement”, led his faction into a short-lived merger with the Abu Nidal group to take charge of dissident movement; but Syria seized his office & exiled his supporters.

Ibrahim Abu Lughod: leading Palestinian academic. b.1929, Jaffa, educated at Amariyya school (with Shafiq al-Hut); settled in US after 1948, achieving his BA from Illinois & PhD from Princeton Uni in 1957. Went on to work for Unesco in Egypt, & then later in 1980s in Beirut & Paris, leading team to assess the feasibility of a Palestinian Open Uni in Beirut (abandoned with 1982 invasion). Taught polsci at Northwestern University in 1970s&80s; founded (1968) & led Association of Arab-American Uni Graduates. Elected to PNC in 1977; held informal consultations with USSecSt George Shultz in 1988. Moved to Ramallah in 1991 (> had to give up PNC position), & appointed vice-pres of BZU, helping to establish a faculty of graduate studies. Books inc The Transformation of Palestine (1972) & The Arab Rediscovery of Europe (1963). d.23May01. Obituary here; more extensively in LRB23/24 (13Dec01).

Musa Abu Marzuq: Former head of Hamas political bureau & a key figure in Hamas. b.1951, Gaza to a family from Yabna (nr al-Majdal); studied mechanical engineering at Ayn Shams (Cairo) & worked in UAE industries until 1981. Gained his MA in industrial science from Colorado State Uni and PhD in engineering from Louisiana Tech University (1981-91), and he gained residency rights in the US. Became head of political bureau from its creation in late92, then based in Jordan. Was 1st Hamas leader to publicly accept Israel within 48Ts, in the 1994 'Political Bureau Initiative' (for which he was criticised within Hamas); and is seen to prioritise the notion of liberating Palestine above the Islamicisation of the struggle. Was 1st expelled from Jordan in Jul95, & arrested at New York’s JFK airport. US dropped charges (May97) & returned to Jordan, only to be expelled again when Hamas offices were closed in Aug99. A Yemeni national, he now operates from Damascus, serving as Khalid Mish'al's deputy..

‘Abd al-Muhsin Abu Mayzar: PNF leader & PLO-EC member. b.1931/3 in Hebron, joined Ba‘th party whilst studying law in Cairo in 1951; became a Jerusalem lawyer & member of Jerusalem city council from 1955. Secretary of Ba‘th party in Jerusalem district from 1956, but went underground from 1957, before leaving for Syria, where he became a leading Ba‘thist. Ed of al-Wahda newspaper from 1958, then ed-in-chief of Lebanese daily al-Sahafa (1961-2), & ed. of Syrian official newspaper al-Ba‘th (1963-5). In 1964, was member of Syrian delegation to NAM conference & part of committee drafting Syrian constitution. Returned to Jerusalem in 1965 amnesty, & after occupation was member of Islamic Supreme Council & leader of Higher Committee for National Guidance. Acted within the PNF until deportation (Dec73); made head of PNF in Mar74 & appointed to PLO-EC (Jun74) to serve as head of national, pan-Arab & returnee affairs; & then as EC spokesperson (1974-84). Left PLO-EC in 1984, & became official spokesman of the PNSF.

Furayh Abu Midayn: Former PA Minister for Justice, losing position in 9Jun02 reshuffle. Gaza lawyer (LLB from Alexandria Uni, 1971). b.1944, Gaza, though family from Beersheba (where grandfather was mayor). Head of Gaza Bar Assoc from 1989-94; member of Palestinian delegation to the Madrid process; pro-Fatah PLC member for Dayr al-Balah. Most famous for calling for all Palestinians who sell land to Jews to be killed; for justification of death sentences; and for denouncing Palestinians' NGO sector. Voted against Hebron redeployment agreement.

Ismail Abu Shanab: Hamas leader in Gaza. b.1955; trained as a construction engineer at Colorado State Uni (from which he holds a Masters degree); teaches engineering at Gaza's Islamic Uni. Speaks fluent English. Served as a deputy to Ahmad Yassin, & was imprisoned for 7 years for this. On release in late 96, led the Hamas slate that won 8/11 seats on Gaza Engineering Association. Served as Hamas’ observer to the PLO-CC, and is their rep to the National & Islamic Forces. Seems to accept a two-state settlement in a 1997 interview, and accepted the Saudi peace plan in Apr02 interview, saying that Hamas would "cease all military activities" if Israel withdrew to 1967 borders. Was the Hamas representative to the 2002 talks in Gaza of all the major factions on a united Palestinian programme, and reportedly was involved in the drafting of the 10Aug draft agreement. Killed in an Israeli attack on Gaza, 21Aug03.

Majid Abu Sharar: former Fatah leftist leader. Began in Muslim Brotherhood. Was Secretary of Fatah-RC from Sept71 & director of the PLO unified information department from c.1973. Led the “Soviet group” within Fatah with Nimr Salih. Elected onto Fatah-CC in May80, but was killed by an explosion (prob Mossad, maybe Abu Nidal) in his hotel room on a visit to Rome in Oct81.

Bassam Abu Sharif (Bassam Tawfiq Abu Sharif) [Abu Umar]: former PFLP leader. b.1946, Old Jerusalem; father had worked for Palestine Broadcasting Service before moving to Irbid. Studied at AUB (grad.1967) where he became involved with ANM; founding member of PFLP, in CC from 1968, politburo from 1972. Deputy ed (Jul69-) & ed (1972-) of al-Hadaf, & served as PF’s spokesman. Partially blinded by Mossad letter bomb (25Jul72). Became sec to GUPWriters & Journalists (1972-), International Org of Journalists (1974-). Within PF, favoured closer cooperation with Fatah; but removed from politburo when pro-Syria line under Abu ‘Ali came to dominate in 1981; demoting to running external relations. In drawing closer to ‘Arafat, he met Husni Mubarak (1987) > expelled from PF, & became special advisor to ‘Arafat. In a non-partisan role, could float compromise plans (eg his Jun88 art for a 2 State solution) > preparing Palestinians for Madrid & Oslo compromises. Returned to Ramallah in 1996, & retains role as ‘Arafat’s special advisor, often writing unofficial statements of the Palestinian position. Co-authored Best of Enemies with Uzi Mahnaimi, an Israeli intelligence officer (1995).

Ziyad Abu Ziyad (Ziyad ‘Ali Khalil Abu Ziyad): b.1940, Bethany, Jerusalem. PLC member for Jerusalem; served as PA minister for Jerusalem until position was eliminated on 9Jun02. Grad from Damascus Uni in law (1965). Former editor of al-Fajr newspaper (from 1977), pro-Fatah; noted for his willingness to make compromises with Israel; became ed & publisher of Gesher (Bridge, 1986-), a bi-monthly Hebrew-language Palestinian newspaper. Nevertheless, was still arrested by Israel for “subversive activities” on 13Nov90. Head of advisory committee to Madrid process. Delegate to ACRS multilateral talks. Remains co-editor of P-I Journal. Became PA minister without portfolio in Aug98, then made minister for Jerusalem on Faysal al-Husayni’s death. An in-depth interview on Jerusalem is here.

Ahmad ‘Afana [Abu al-Mu‘tasim]: former assistant chief of staff of al-‘Asifa; took over role from 1982. Earlier, was a Syrian army officer, & then – after joining PLO – commanded PLO-LNM joint forces in Matn area in Lebanese civil war. Based in Damascus. Reportedly coopted onto Fatah-CC. Refuses to enter PA area.

Zakariyya al-Agha: Head of Fatah High Command in Gaza since mid-1994 & so coopted as Fatah-CC member, member of PLO-EC since Apr96 with responsibility for the Arab & IR department, & former PA minister for housing from 1994. A medical doctor by training, from Gazan notable family. Was a Palestinian delegate to the Madrid talks. An ‘Arafat loyalist, his nomination as leader in Gaza was strongly opposed by grassroots activists. Failed in his bid to become a PLC member in Jan96, & left ministerial position. Led Fatah delegation for talks with Hamas in Nov02, to agree a common strategy.

Albert Aghazarian: most prominent Palestinian Armenian. b.1950, Jerusalem; BA in polsci from AUB (1972). Editorial board of al-Quds (1973-5), moving to teach & work in public relations at BZU. Headed press centre during Madrid conference.

‘Abd al-Rahim Ahmad: head of ALF from 1975 (possibly '74) until his death in 1991. Was member of PLO-EC from 1977, serving as head of the Department of Popular Organizations & also from 1982 as official spokesperson.

Shaykh Sa‘ad al-Din al-‘Alami: West Bank religious leader. b.1911, Jerusalem; became Shari‘a qadi in Ramallah (1948-51), Nablus (1951-3); then Mufti of Jerusalem from 1953; also became member of the Shari‘a appeal court in Jerusalem from Jul67, and went on to become head of the Islamic Board and Chief Qadi in the West Bank for most of the 1970s & 1980s. Sympathetic towards Fatah, calling for Hafiz al-Asad’s death when he expelled ‘Arafat & Wazir from Syria in Jun83. Died on 6Feb93.

Naji ‘Allush: Fatah dissenter, academic, poet. b.1935, Birzayt, where also educated. Moved to Kuwait in 1956, & began publishing works on revolutionaries from 1960; major work inc al-Tariq ila Filastin (Beirut, 1968), and his history of the 1936-39 revolt. An early recruit to Fatah, but maintained links with covert groups, inc the nascent Abu Nidal splinter. Was the only Fatah delegate to oppose the "phased programme" in the PNC in Jun74, & resigned position (in Fatah-RC - ?); and was briefly detained in Aug74, on the grounds of assisting Abu Nidal. 4 collections of poetry from 1967. Is still on the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Arab Unity Studies, in Beirut.

Nabil ‘Amr (Nabil Mahmud Yusif ‘Amr): PA minister of information from Apr03-Oct03 and former PA minister for parliamentary affairs from Aug98. b.1947, from al-Dura. Trained in law at Damascus Uni, also obtaining a diploma in media and radio broadcasting from Cairo university. Served as director of the PLO's Sawt Filastin, PLO ambassador to Moscow (from 1988-93; and wrote a book on the fall of the Soviet Union), editor-in-chief of al-Hayat al-Jadida & director of the PA radio & TV authority. Is a Fatah-RC member, & is PLC member (Fatah) for Hebron. Was a member of the Palestinian negotiating team. Resigned his ministry on 3May02, demanding overhaul of PA and changes to the cabinet. Walked out of PLC session on 29Oct02 in protest at new cabinet; and called for the appointment of a Prime Minister, supporting Mahmud ‘Abbas for this position. In response, his house was shot at by al-Aqsa members. Mahmud ‘Abbas named him as part of his cabinet in Apr03, as information minister, but lost his position in Oct03. Stood for position of PLC speaker in Mar04, but won only 15 votes. On 20Jul04, he was shot and injured in Ramallah by unidentified, presumably Palestinian, gunmen.

Yasir ‘Amr: former PA minister of education, member of PLO-EC. Was leading Ba‘thist nationalist activist in Hebron/Bethlehem after 1967. After deportation, served as pro-Sa‘iqa secretary of PLO-EC until 1970/1. Returned to PLO-EC, where he remains. Was widely criticised for the heavy-handed way he dealt with striking teachers; resigned his position in the PA in Aug98.

Basil Aql: former director of PLO’s pol department; head of Palestinian delegation to the UN during mid-1970s. Now a businessman & an independent member of the PLO-CC.

Mamduh ‘Aqr: Physician. b.1943, Nablus; joined ANM & then PFLP (1967-70); trained in Cairo Uni medical school (grad.1969); worked in Kuwaiti hospitals (1970-3) before further training in Edinburgh & London. Founded the Mandela Institute for Palestinian pol prisoners. Palestinian delegate to the Madrid talks. A critic of the PA, he signed the secular-nationalist statement of Dec01 oppg the PA's arrests of activists.

Yasir ‘Arafat [Abu Ammar]: b. Md ‘Abd al-Ra’uf al-Qidwa al-Husayni on 4Aug29 in Cairo (tho are claims that it was Gaza or Jerusalem), a distant relative of Hajj Amin, & from a Gaza-based family. After his mother died in 1933, lived with uncle & brother Fathi in Jerusalem. Claims to have fought under ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni & with the Ikhwan in Gaza & Jerusalem in 1948; and to have participated in Ikhwan attacks on British installations in Suez in early50s, as well as serving with Egyptian army in the Suez war. Rose through the Palestinian Students Union that he was president of from 1952 (& through it took on an international role, eg at Warsaw Youth festival, Jul54), whilst studying as an engineer at Fuad I (now Cairo) University, until the formation of Fatah. After graduating in 1957, left to work in Kuwait public works & construction. Spokesman for Fatah since Apr68; PLO-EC chairman since Feb69. Married Suha (b.1963, daughter of Raymonda Tawil; a Christian who nominally converted on marrying) in secret in Tunisia in 1990; has a daughter, Zahwa (b.1995). Closest shave was probably when his plane crashed in a desert sandstorm nr al-Sarra (Sn Libya) on 7Apr92: 3 crewmen killed, ‘Arafat found 12 hrs later. Awarded Nobel peace prize in Dec94. The official biography is here; various others are listed here. Extended interview from Sept88 here. Died in Nov04.

Hasan ‘Asfur: Long-term negotiator in the Oslo process. Was secretary to the Palestinian negotiating team that concluded initial Oslo negotiations; he produced a draft joint declaration of principles. Independent PLC member for Khan Yunis. Became PA minister without portfolio from Aug98, & then minister of NGO affairs (from Jul99; his appointment was not presented to the PLC for approval, leading to inclarity of role), and lost position in the cabinet on 9Jun02. Leading figure in the PPP. Pessimistic interview in MEI583; his review of the flaws in the Palestinian negotiating strategy is here (Jun02). Was attacked (& hospitalised) by suspected supporters of Rajub due to his alignment with Dahlan (13May02).

Hanan ‘Ashrawi (Hanan Mikhail Da’ud Khalil ‘Ashrawi): PLC member for Jerusalem; human rights activist. b.1946, Nablus (tho family from Tiberias & Ramallah), a Anglican Christian, daughter of Da’ud Mikhail, a leader of Sulayman al-Nabulsi’s National Soc Party. Family settled in Ramallah after 1948. Worked through GUPW in Lebanon (1967-72), PLO Information Office (1968-70) whilst studying English lit at AUB; & then at Uni of Virginia (PhD in medieval lit in 1971) after not being allowed to return to the West Bank from 1967-73 due to being defd as an "absentee". On return to West Bank, became Professor of English Lit at Bir Zayt (1974-95), which established BZU’s legal aid committee & was dean of the Faculty of Arts (1986-90); married Emile Ashrawi, a photographer (1975). As a non-partisan figure, has played a strong role in representing Palestinians in negotiations from late80s when PLO members were excluded from talks. On the advisory council of, & spokeswoman for, Palestinian delegation at Madrid process from Oct91, tho critical of the Palestinian leadership’s stance: attempted to resign in Aug93 with Oslo, but resignation refused; finally left the negotiating team in Dec93 to form & head Miftah, a pro-democracy NGO, of which she remains the Sec-Gen. Then became PA Minister for Higher Education (Jun96-98); leaving to vote against the PA Cabinet in Aug98, despite being offered the tourism portfolio. Appointed as spokeswomen of the Arab League on 11Jul01, with special responsibility for Palestinians. Signatory to 20Jun02 statement in al-Quds appealing for an end to suicide bombings. Autobiography is This Side of Peace: A Personal Account (1995). Extensive interview here.

‘Atallah ‘Atallah [Abu Za’im]: dissident Fatah leader, based in Amman. From Hebron; served in Jordanian army until dismissed in 1968. Recruited to Fatah where he was given command of Fatah forces in S.Lebanon from spring 1971, charged by ‘Arafat with implementing the policy of tajyish (ie turning guerrilla forces into a conventional army), launched in Jul71. Rivalry with Walid Nimr resulted in competing deployment of forces (set up a unit, Martyrs of Sept battalion, Shuhada’ Aylul, for this purpose). From early 1972, ‘Arafat appointed him as head of central operations in Lebanon, and then to Fatah military intelligence. In this role, was head of Palestinian delegation to Milkart negotiations in 1973. Attempted (unsuccessfully) to coordinate relations with Falangists before the Israeli invasion; & lead attempts to negotiate with Sharon during the siege of Beirut. Headed Fatah’s investigation into its conduct during the Lebanon war; but was sacked by Fatah-CC from his position after he came under wide-ranging criticisms during the Fatah rebellion in 1983 for his role in the PLO withdrawal from Lebanon. From 1986, was coopted by King Husayn: launched a “corrective movement” in Jordan within Fatah on 8Apr86; & with Jordanian support convened a conference that “elected” him as caretaker chairman of the PLO; and allowed to take over PLO offices & funds = took key role in Jord’s attempts to win back support in West Bank, coordinating with West Bank leaders. Nevertheless, by early87 many of his supporters had returned to the PLO, and an attempt to assassinate him in Jan87 was not investigated by Jordan.

Hanna Atrash (Hanna Khuri al-Atrash): non-nationalist mayor of Bayt Sahur in mid60s & again from 1976. Still there.

Ribhi ‘Awad: Fatah’s representative to Cairo in the mid-1970s. Then became PLO representative to Finland in early80s; now ambassador to Indonesia.

‘Arabi ‘Awwad: From the village of Salfit nr Nablus, a teacher of Arabic literature. Secretary of JCP in West Bank & active in establishing the PNF. Imprisoned for 11 years under Jordanian rule; deported in Dec73. Went on to found in 1980 the Palestine Communist Organisation of Lebanon as a branch of the JCP; & when this collapsed in 1982, formed the Palestinian Revolutionary Communist Party in Lebanon, supporting continued armed struggle.

Hakam Bal‘awi (Hakam ‘Umar As‘ad Bal‘awi): PA Cabinet Secretary. b.1934, nr Tulkarm. Secretary-General of the PA Council of Ministers from Apr03. b. Bala, 1939. Served as Fatah's deputy head of its central information committee (from 1968-78), Palestinian ambassador to Libya (1973-75) and Tunisia (1975-94), also representing Palestine to the Arab League. Member of Fatah-CC since Aug89; Fatah rep on PLO-CC. Also a leading member of the Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists, holding diplomas in education, journalism and administration; he went on to write various novels and plays. On returning to Palestine, he served as secretary of the national security council (1994-96). He came only 9th in the 1995 Fatah primary in Tulkarm, to select the 4 candidates to be on the Fatah slate, but Fatah Central Committee overruled the primary to place him on the slate. He was subsequently elected PLC member for Tulkarm (Fatah). Has been portrayed in the past as a possible successor to ‘Arafat, & ran for Head of Intelligence post after Abu Iyad’s death; but historic leadership opposed this. An ally of Sakhr Habash and Mahmud ‘Abbas, he has clashed with Rajub, eg being forced out of a Fatah rally in Tulkarm in Jan98. Seems to have been assigned a role in 2001 in taking close control over Fatah on the West Bank, in order to restrict local autonomous leaders. In Apr03, he was promoted as a compromise choice for interior minister, a position he reportedly refused to take in favour of PA secretary-general; further compromise left him in his current position.

Sabri al-Banna (Samir Khalil al-Banna)[Abu Nidal]: b.May 1937, Jaffa, the son of a wealthy fruit merchant and a Syrian ‘Alawi maid; attended French schools in Jaffa; a 1948 refugee in Gaza al-Bureij camp, later moving to Nablus (1949). Went to Egypt to study engineering, but found work as an electrician instead, and returned in this capacity to Jordan. Originally a Ba‘thist (from 1955), but later moved to Saudi where he worked with the Arabian-American Oil Company; formed own liberation group in mid60s, but joined Fatah (and took on nom de guerre) in 1967 on returning to Amman (after expulsion from Saudi after taking part in protests). Took over control for regional security in Jordan (Jun68); became Fatah’s rep to Sudan (1969) & then as rep in Baghdad (Aug70), & later also as head of PLO office there. Developed close relations with Iraqi intelligence from 1971, and may have received further training in guerrilla tactics in North Korea and China. Joined with rejectionist groups to form the "Political Committee for Palestinians in Iraq" in early 1974, which strongly criticised DFLP & denounced the PLO leadership: this body was not recognised by PLO-EC, leading to Banna taking over Fatah facilities in Iraq, inc weaponry; expelled from Fatah; was sentenced to death after his involvement was suspected in assassination attempt on Abu Mazin. Set up an office as the Fatah-Revolutionary Council (see separate notes). Iraq removed him in 1983, to placate US; commenced work for Syria, but after US pressure, was forced to close camps in Sept86. Moved to Libya in late80s, when his inactivity was enforced by the government. Was based in Egypt temporarily forom 1998, possibly working for government in conflict with Islamist groups; various international rumours about his leukaemia, probably false; other rumours, which turned out to be correct, about him being based in Baghdad. Sentenced by trial in absentia to death for the murder of the Jordanian embassy in Lebanon's first secretary, on 3Dec01. Died of gun-shot wounds in unexplained circumstances on 16Aug02. Obituaries: 1,2,3,4,5.

Bashir Barghuthi (1931-9/9/00): communist leader & newspaper editor, from Dayr Ghassana village, Ramallah district; studied polsci & economics at AmUniCairo, & was an activist in GUPS there until graduation in 1956. Owned al-Jamahir (The Masses), a communist paper, from 1956; but was closed down on 25/2/57 & Barghouti was imprisoned for 8 years at Jaffar detention camp. On release in 1965, was refused a license, so wrote under an assumed name. After ‘67, became stern critic of Jordan, esp of Husayn’s right to speak for Palestinians. Allowed to return to West Bank in 1973; but was put on trial in 1974 for ‘spying’, but acquitted. In 1975, took control of JCP when Suleiman Najjab was deported. Served as editor of al-Fajr from 1975 until Fatah began to oppose his pol stance in 2/77; went on to found al-Tali‘a in 2/78. Put under house or town arrest from Aug80-2, preventing him from working. Became member of PLO-EC in 1987, & served to broker agreement between Fatah & PFLP, & played a leading role in the intifada, creating the 1st popular committee. Remained S-G of PCP/PPP, taking a key role in Oslo negotiations. Became minister of industry in PA cabinet (from 9May96), but a stroke in 1997 left him without speech; reappointed as minister without portfolio in Aug98. Tribute here.

Marwan Barghuthi (Marwan Hasib Husayn al-Barghuthi): Sec-Gen of Fatah Higher Committee in the West Bank. b.1959 & raised in Kafr Kubr. Was among founders of Shabiba in the West Bank & headed its faction at BZU in early80s, as president of student council. Imprisoned for 6 years & deported by Israel in 1987 to Jordan; became member of Fatah-RC in Aug89, coordinating relations between inside & outside (though reportedly was not given a major role in coordinating the intifada, in favour of Abbas Zaki); also an independent member of the PLO-CC. Returned to West Bank in Apr94, & soon established the West Bank Fatah Higher Committee, which he headed, to develop civil society and develop Fatah as a political party. ‘Arafat ensured that he was not on the Fatah-PLC slate, but won Ramallah seat as an independent. Has become close to Jibril Rajub after initial competition over the civil vs military nature of Fatah in the West Bank; and has good relations with Islamist groups. Critical of centralization of power under ‘Arafat; submitted motion of no-confidence in the executive in the PLC in May97 budgetary misuse scandal. ‘Arafat attempted to remove him from leading the West Bank Fatah in 2000 in favour of Husayn al-Shaykh, but this was not recognised by Fatah. Israel demanded his extradition, and seems to have made an assassination attempt on 4Aug01. Article in Washington Post on 15Jan02 stressed Palestinian acceptance of Israel. Arrested by Israel in Ramallah on 15Apr02. After his Palestinian lawyer's allegations of Israeli torture and Israeli allegations that he has confessed to attacks, Israel announced on 11Jul that it would put him on trial in a civil court.

Mustafa Barghuthi (Mustafa Kamil Mustafa Barghuthi): b.1954; physician, president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, former leader of the PPP, director of the Health, Development, Information and Policy Institute (HDIP) in Ramallah, Palestine. HDIP produces Palestine Monitor, which distributes info on behalf of Palestinian NGOs. PNC member (PPP); stood for election to PLC (Ramallah district), & narrowly missed out, despite a recount. Member of the Steering Committee of the technical committee that prepared the establishment of various Palestinian ministries. Serves as spokesperson for various pro-democracy blocs, including the Palestinian National Initiative (launched in Jun02) of which he serves as the Secretary-General. Reportedly resigned from the PPP in late 2002.

Muhammad Dahlan (Muhammad Yusuf Dahlan): Internal Security Affairs minister from Apr03; previously head of the Preventive Security Force in Gaza, with rank of colonel. Member of Fatah-RC. b.29/9/1961, Khan Yunis camp, Gaza, from a refugee family from Hammama (now Nitzanim). Father worked in Saudi Arabia, and sent money. Former leader of Fatah's Shabiba movement on the West Bank, which he helped found in 1981. Was studying for a BA in business administration at the Islamic University of Gaza when he was arrested by Israel (1981-late86), before being deported in 1988 to Jordan. He then joined the PLO in Tunis, where he coordinated with the intifada. Returned to Gaza in 1994. Believed to have drawn up an agreement at the Rome meeting in Jan94 with senior IDF & Shin Bet officials a plan for containing Hamas (MEI520); frequent member of negotiating team on security issues for Israeli redeployments during the Oslo process, on the return of those expelled after 1967, and on prisoner releases; coordinates with US agencies often. Was a negotiator at the Camp David summit in 2000 (his account is here). Speaks Hebrew fluently. Sharon blamed him for an attack on a settlers' bus in Gaza in Nov00, launched attacks on his offices & and said that he deserved to die. His car was hit by Israeli bullets on 16Apr01. Reportedly tendered his resignation on 5Nov01 in opposition to the PA's policy of arresting PFLP & Jihad members; but refused by ‘Arafat. His article, "Our partners in life in this land", appeared in Ha'aretz on 31Jan02. Was a central figure in running the PA through the "Gang of 5" that took over during ‘Arafat's captivity (Mar-May02), backed by ‘Asfur, ‘Urayqat, Rashid, Sha‘th, and favouring the creation of a unitary security apparatus that could return to an Oslo-style process (and opposing Rajub). However, seems to have been sidelined by ‘Arafat subsequently, resigning on 5Jun02 and claiming to have refused the position of Interior Minister in the new Cabinet. His attempts to gather support for an electoral challenge to ‘Arafat seem to have brought to an end when Bush demanded a change in the Palestinian leadership; refused (in article and interview of 2Jul02) to run in elections in these circumstances. In Apr03, Mahmud ‘Abbas has tried to bring him back as Interior Minister, though ‘Arafat has resisted this; a compromise of 23Apr settled on him as internal security minister.

Ahmad Sidqi Dajani: former director of PLO-RC. From the Jerusalem branch of the Dajani family, he has been a member of PNC from inception in 1964, and served on PLO-EC from 1966-67. In role as director of RC, was the co-founder of Shu’un Filastiniyya. Served on PLO-EC again from 1977-85, on which he was chair of education and culture department. Was also representative of the PLO to the Europe-Arab dialogue. Chair of PNC Cultural, Science & Literature Committee, thus with place on PLO-CC.

Ibrahim Dakkak: Leader of Engineering Union. b.Jerusalem, 1929; studied mathematics & science at the Am.Uni.Cairo. From 1967-87 led West Bank Engineering Union; was chief engineer on al-Aqsa restoration project (1969-77). From 1977-91, chaired the Arab Thought Forum, which he co-founded with Mahdi ‘Abd al-Hadi; & was NGC secretary. Placed under house arrest intermittently from Aug80. Now deputy head of MAS (Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute), & member of the Board of Governors of PECDAR. Leading signatory of the Dec01 statement of secular-national critics of the PA's arrests of activists, and a founding member of the Palestinian National Initiative, launched in Jun02.

Bishara Dawud (Bishara Saliba Sulayman Dawud): nationalist mayor of Bayt Jalla from 1976. Deposed in Sept 1978. Now a PLC member for Bethlehem, as an independent Christian (narrowly elected). Stood for election to PLC Speaker in Mar00: won 6 votes out of 73, in 3rd (last) place.

Mustafa Dudin: anti-PLO leader on West Bank. An officer in the Mandatory Palestine Police, he served in Egyptian administration in Gaza Strip after 1948 up to 1965; after 1968, was Jordanian parliamentarian, cabinet minister & ambassador to Kuwait. After dispute with Jordan (over an offence committed by his brother), he returned to West Bank in 1975; & formed an anti-PLO armed militia, calling itself a "village league", in Dura village, Hebron district, in Aug78. His opposition to the PLO ensured substantial Israeli support, thus creating the Movement of Palestinian Leagues across the West Bank by 1982; Israel accorded municipalities' functions to the Leagues, eg financing rural development projects in member villages, as it deposed elected mayors & commenced Menachem Milson's "civil administration" project in competition with the Palestinian-Jordanian Joint Committees. Called for Palestinian-Israeli talks, with King Husayn representing the Palestinians. Resigned as head of the Village Leagues in 4Sept83, with leadership passing to Jawdat Su’allah from Nablus.

Imad Faluji: PA communications minister from 9May96-29Oct02 & PLC member for Jabalya (one of the youngest members of the PLC); was a Hamas official (editing its newspaper, al-Watan), but left to accept a senior position within the Oslo-based institutions; may have joined Fatah to run on its list for the PLC elections. Most prominent PLC member not to condemn the Hamas bombings of Feb96. Remained critical of ‘Arafat: eg voting against Hebron redeployment agreement.

‘Abdullah Franji: former PLO representative to Germany; coopted onto Fatah-CC in 1991. Author of The PLO and Palestine (1983).

Ilyas Frayj: Mayor of Bethlehem. b.1918/20 [?], Greek Orthodox Christian from one of Bethlehem’s oldest families; employed in the Public Works Department of the Mandatory Govt (with a spell in Cyprus); after 1948, ran his factory in Bethlehem producing olive wood handicrafts, mostly for tourists. Became head of Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce in 1970; mayor of Bethlehem in 1972, & was the main non-nationalist candidate to win in the 1976 municipal elections (tho hemmed in by 3 powerful nationalist/leftist councillors). Also headed Bethlehem Uni board of trustees since 1973. Maintained support for PLO thruout, but also continued his links with Israel & esp Jordan. The only important mayor not to be dismissed in 1982, staying in post until 1997. Initially supportive of Sadat's visit in 1977, though maintained rhetorical loyalty to PLO & acceded in its rejection of Camp David (eg interview in New Outlook 23/1, Jan80). Signed the (unreleased) "Palestinian Peace Document" of Nov82 which recognised the PLO as the sole legitimate representative, but urged them to authorise King Husayn to negotiate on Palestinians' behalf and to accept a confederation with Jordan. Also openly welcomed the Reagan plan due to the urgent need for a 2 State solution before the West Bank was to be engulfed with Israeli settlements (eg. in interview with Newsweek, 14Mar83; July83 interview in JPS 13/1). Was a member of Palestinian delegation to Madrid talks; & was minister for tourism & antiquities in the PA. d. in Amman on 29Mar98, buried in Bethlehem.

Samir Ghawsha: b.1940, Jerusalem, trained as a dentist. Head of PPSF since 1974, and represents it on the PLO-EC. With splintering after commencement of Madrid process, leads the pro-Oslo faction, taking the position of Minister of Labour, then (after voting against the Hebron redeployment agreement in Jan97, and submitting letter of resignation in Jan98) as Minister without portfolio (from Aug98), was not in Cabinet by Mar99. Acted as an "adviser" to ‘Arafat at Camp David in 2000, although his participation appears to have been minimal. Reappointed to PA as Minister for Jerusalem on 29Oct02, losing position in Apr03.

Ibrahim Ghusha: Head of Hamas information service from its creation in late92. b.Jerusalem, Nov1936; trained as a civil engineer in Cairo, then working as an engineer in Jordan & Kuwait (1962-6, 71-2). As official spokesman, was based in Amman. Arrested & held by Jordan from Aug99, deported in Nov99 to Qatar. Returned to Amman international airport on 14Jun01, provoking an international dispute between Qatar & Jordan, with latter refusing to let him disembark for 2 weeks. Finally permitted into Jordan on the condition that he freezes his pol work with Hamas.

Muhammad Ghunaym [Abu Mahir]: veteran Fatah leader. A merchant from Jerusalem, former Islamist, left Muslim Brotherhood in 1957-8, to protest against its lack of criticism of the throne's alignment with the US; joined Fatah shortly thereafter. Became regional command of Fatah in Jordan (Feb68), but left for a training course in China (Jun68). After, became 'Arafat's deputy for military admin (Jan69). He ran clandestine operations from Sept71, the civilian organisation in Lebanon, and at present mobilization and organization. A member of Fatah-CC since (1974? 1968?), & was then an ‘Arafat loyalist. Opposed Oslo, & has reportedly refuses to enter the PA areas.

George Habash [al-Hakim, "the Sage"]: Former medical student & paediatrician, from Greek Orthodox Christian family from Lydda. b. there, Aug26 (1925?); witnessed the mass expulsion from Lydda in Jul48. At AUB, formed “Organization to Oppose Pol Settlement with Israel”, & then Arab Nationalists Movement in 1951-2; and was its rep on the Executive Committee of the National Conference, demanding the return of the Nabulsi government in 1957. Estd Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in 1967. Was imprisoned by Syria from Mar68 until being sprung from jail in Nov68, from where he escaped to Jordan. From Apr72, is thought to have had heart trouble, inc a number of heart attacks, and has moved in background, tho was highly critical of 2nd generation leadership at 5th congress (Feb93). From 1982, was based in Damascus, but moved to Amman with deteriorating health in 1992. Resigned from post as S-G of the PFLP in Apr00 in order to set up a research centre. Recent statements are archived here.

Sakhr Habash (Yahya) [Abu Nizar]: Head of Fatah-RC and its Ideological Mobilization Department. b.1939 in Bayt Dajan, nr Jaffa; a refugee first in Ramallah, then in Balata camp (Nablus). Joined the Ba‘thists in 1952; & decided to study geology & water resources at Ein Shams Uni (Cairo) from 1958. From 1960, moved from Ba‘thism to Palestinian nationalism, joining Fatah in 1962 with responsibility for recruitment. He took over Fatah regional command in Lebanon in Oct72. Member of Fatah-CC since Aug89. Loyal critic of ‘Arafat & Oslo; now resident in Ramallah. Interview here. Some interpret his role as that of subduing local Fatah structures (under Marwan Barghuthi, Jibril Rajib) to ‘Arafat's rule; and was appointed as Fatah leader in the PA areas in early 1997.

Wadi‘ Haddad [Abu Hani]: PFLP leader. b.1927, Safad, into Greek Orthodox family; 1948 refugee. Medical student at AUB, grad 1952; participated in the establishment of ANM. Estd Amman clinic with Habash & worked with UNRWA in Jordan Valley in 1956. Arrested by Jordan in 1957; escaped to Syria in 1961. Strongly favoured taking up commando action from 1963, despite Abd al-Nasir's opposition; and active in formation of the "struggle apparatus" that led to the earliest ANM missions. Had direct role in planning the first PFLP plane hijacking in Jul68 of El Al jet; also was key organiser of the Sept70 hijackings. After Black September, was heavily criticised from within PFLP, and was barred from international acts of violence in future. Continued operations under the tag of "PFLP External Operations", coordinating with Abu Nidal group; culminated in the Entebbe operation of Jun76, for which he was expelled from the PFLP (1976). Died in E.Germany of leukaemia on 28Mar78.

‘Abd al-Rahman Hamad: PA Minister of Natural Resources from 9Jun02-Apr03 & chair of Palestinian Energy Authority (from Feb95; home page here). b.1944, Bayt Hanun; PhD in electrical engineering from Wisconsin Uni (1975), going onto to Unis at Baghdad (1976-80) & Birzayt (1980-94), where he became dean of engineering faculty. Part of Palestinian delegation at Madrid talks; leading role in PECDAR (1994-6), before won seat to PLC (Jabalya) & ministerial appointment, initially as Minister of Housing.

Said Hamami: PLO diplomat. b.Jaffa, 1941; fled with family to Amman in 1948. Received BA in English lit from Damascus Uni; then worked as a journalist & teacher. Joined Fatah in 1967 & rose quickly to be elected a delegate to the PNC in Feb69. Appointed PLO's 1st delegate to the UK (officially as head of the Arab League's Palestine Information Office) from 1972. Was critical of international violence, esp the Black September Organization at Munich. Began, seemingly with ‘Arafat's support, to call for a mutual Israeli-Palestinian recognition in Times articles of 16Nov73 & 17Dec73. Met MK Uri Avineri in 1974, the first meeting between a MK & a PLO leader; came to explicitly support a State in the 1967 Territories, obtained through negotiations at Geneva; and became critical of PLO's continued rhetorical allegiance to the idea of a Democratic State in all Palestine (eg in Trouw, 28Jun75). Assassinated 4Jan78 by the Abu Nidal group; buried in Amman.

Wahid al-Hamdallah: former mayor of Anabta. Placed under house arrest from Aug80, given a suspended sentence of 5 months in prison by an Israeli military court in Tulkarm (9Sept80), then dismissed & replaced with Israeli official on 30Apr82. Again under house arrest on 22Jan89. Signed “Call of the Homeland petition”, and was once again placed under house arrest, this time by the PA, in Nov99, albeit briefly.

Akram Haniya: editor of semi-official al-Ayyam newspaper, & political advisor to ‘Arafat. Member of final status talks team; held leading role in Camp David talks. Previously was editor of al-Sha‘b, for which he was placed under house arrest from Aug80; elected to Fatah-RC in 1989 after being deported in 1987; became an aide to Abu Jihad.

Hilmi Hanun: Former mayor of Tulkarm. b.1913 [?-WSJ12/10/78 claimed he was 61] in Jaffa, & worked in international citrus marketing [was co-founder of al-Sha‘b newspaper in Jaffa, 1947 - ?]; a ’48 refugee. Served on Tulkarm council from 1951, & elected mayor of Tulkarm in 1963 Jordan elections as a National Front member; retained this position until 1982. A moderate nationalist, supporting PLO from its inception, but striving to maintain relations with both occupying powers. Returned as Tulkarm mayor until removed by PA in 1998 (?) & replaced by an unelected Fatah official.

Bilal al-Hasan: former PDFLP leader & writer. Was an early ANM activist in Damascus, taking a role in the local branch after the 1961 break-up of the UAR. Became a member of the 1st command structure of the ANM’s Palestine Action Committee (established Sept64); then from 1965 acted on the editorial board of al-Hurriyya, where he pressed for early commencement of attacks on Israel, & for independent Palestinian action. Joined PDF politburo after breakaway, & was its 1st rep to the PLO-EC (from Sept69), but strongly objected to PDF’s confrontational stance towards Jordan in early70. Left PDF politburo & PLO-EC in 1971. Went on to become editor of Shu'un Filastiniyya and a respected journalist.

Hani al-Hasan [Abu Tariq, Abu-l-Hasan]: Fatah leader. b.1937/9, Haifa; refugee in Yarmuk camp, nr Damascus, where he organised an Islamist slate, Shabab al-Aqsa, to compete in student elections; & joined  Muslim Brotherhood in early50s. Went on to study engineering in the late50-60s in W Germany (Darmstadt & Munich), where he worked through the Union of Palestinian Students in Europe, and acted as Fatah’s main Europe link after he merged his own commando group to Fatah in 1963 until 1967; also served as President of GUPS from 1962. Served as regional head in Jordan briefly in early 1970; then S.Khalaf’s deputy in Rasd. From 1974, acted as political aide to ‘Arafat; then as ambassador to Tehran; then to Amman from 1982. Retains good ties to the Gulf States. Became a member of Fatah-CC in May80. Criticial of the leadership's stance towards Iraq after Aug90, & at Oslo; but returned to Gaza Strip in Nov95, and became the chief political adviser to ‘Arafat as well as PLO-CC member & head of the PNC foreign relations committee. Appointed as Interior Minister on 29Oct02, favouring continued resistance to occupation forces and settlers (unlike Yahya, his predecessor), whilst opposing attacks on civilians in Israel; Mahmud ‘Abbas attempted to drop him from the PA cabinet, but despite ‘Arafat's resistance, he was replaced in Apr03, and is slated to act as ‘Arafat's national security adviser.

Khalid al-Hasan (Khalid Muhammad al-Hasan) [Abu Sa’id]: Fatah leader. b.1928 in Haifa, the oldest of 6 children; worked for British military in 1948 & evacuated to Sinai. Later joined family who were refugees in Sidon; then moved to Damascus where he formed a short-lived group, Tahrir Filastin, in 1949. Also had worked in E.Africa, imprisoned in Egypt; but through his job as a teacher in Damascus in the early 1950s helped found the Islamic Liberation Party in 1952. After being arrested in late52, left to work as a civil servant in Kuwait, rising from a position as a typist to General-Secretary of the Municipal Council Board, and was awarded Kuwaiti citizenship. In parallel, he came into contact with Fatah from 1959; is thought to have become a full member in 1963; was possibly the leader of the first Fatah CC, & opposed the commencement of military actions on Israel in 1964-5. On PLO-EC from 1968-73 as head of Pol Department, but resigned at Jan73 PNC due to his opposition to the resolution to overthrow the Jordanian monarchy (claimed to Cobban, PLO, that it was because PLO-EC did not take his recommendation to consider the WBG State option). After 1973, became head of the PNC foreign relations committee; also built & maintained Fatah's strong links with Saudi from 1969. Made argument at Fatah-CC meeting in Shtaura after Oct73 war that Palestinian struggle could only continue with WBG State, as Arab States were looking to make peace with Israel. Thought to have been the author of the "Fahd memorandum" of May77, which formed the basis of discussion with US before Sadat's visit. Made "unofficial" Palestinian 5-point proposal in tour of EEC in Apr-May 1980, for Israel's withdrawal from OTs, replaced by UN forces which will make arrangements for the creation of a WBG State within 1 yr; followed by international negotiations at which remaining issues will be dealt with. Was generally opposed to military means, stressing collective leadership & democratic values. Broke with ‘Arafat due to latter's position in the Gulf War, but was nonetheless stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship. Moved to Morocco, where he was author of Grasping the Nettle of Peace (1992) in which he proposed a “Swiss-style confederation” in which citizens would vote according to their canton. Opposed to Oslo, due to lack of democratic decision-making; but d.10/94 from cancer.

Nayif Hawatmah [Abu al-Nuf]: head of DFLP. b.Nov35 (37?) in Salt, Jordan, a Greek Catholic Christian; studied pol & economics in Amman, Cairo & Beirut, then returned to Jordan to join the ANM, and became a leading member of the leftist wing. Brief periods of pol activity in Lebanon (1958), Iraq (1958-63, as head of ANM) & S.Yemen (1963-7) before he was allowed to return to Jordan. There, he helped found the PFLP, of which he became one of the left-wing leaders. Went onto found P/DFLP.

Amin al-Hindi: head of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service, with the rank of General. A Gazan, was appointed a senior security officer in Fatah from 1970s. Reportedly coordinated the PLO's relations with the CIA through the 1980s. Through his deputy in the West Bank, Tawfiq Tirawi, he has openly challenged Rajub's power (reaching the level of small arms battles in Jenin in Aug98). Offered resignation on 16Jul04, but was retained.

‘Abd al-Fattah Hmud [Abu Salah]: early Fatah leader. Refugee from al-Tin (al-Majdal), orig. in Muslim Brotherhood. Became a Fatah-CC member, based in Saudi, & appointed to head regional command in Jordan in Feb68. Died on 28Feb in a car crash, on his way to take up his post.

Faysal al-Husayni: son of ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, grandson of Muza Kazim al-Husayni. b.17/7/1940 in Baghdad where ‘Abd al-Qadir lived after Arab Revolt; grew up mostly in Cairo (and was active in GUPS) & returned to Iraq to train as a scientist & as a military strategist at Iraq Military Academy. Originally joined ANM in 1957/1963[?] (reportedly arrested in Iraq for opposition to Qasim in 1959); received commando training in Egypt in 1963. Went on to work as PLO head of popular organisation in the West Bank from 1964, & received further training as part of PLA in Aleppo, Syria. From 1967, returned to West Bank, where worked with PPSF & Fatah, whilst also acting as ANM military commander in West Bank from Aug67 until arrested in Oct67 for arms possession (imprisoned for 1 yr). On release, worked as an x-ray technician in Jerusalem (1969-77); studied history in Beirut. Founded Jerusalem-based Arab Studies Society in 1979, whilst resident in Suwana; & joined Islamic Council in 1982, & held under house arrest 1982-7. Repeatedly imprisoned by Israel from Apr87-Jan89, but remained active in preparing statements for the intifada. Led preparatory talks for Madrid with James Baker in 1990, & was part of the Palestinian steering committee from 1991; but Israel prevented him from taking a direct role in the talks for 2 years; he became head of Palestinian delegation to Madrid talks in 1993. Headed Fatah High Command in the West Bank from 1994, & so coopted to Fatah-CC; served as PLO representative to Jerusalem on the PLO-EC (since Apr96), based at Orient House. Then minister without portfolio in PA & member of final status negotiating team. A Hebrew speaker, he often presented the Palestinian viewpt to Israeli audiences; also a keen researcher of Arab heritage in Jerusalem. d. of a heart attack on 31May01, whilst acting as 1st PLO leader to visit Kuwait since the Gulf War.

Shafiq al-Hut: Veteran PLO leader. b.1932, Jaffa, fleeing with family in 1948 to Beirut. Obtained a BA in biology from AUB, then worked as a teacher, before making his way from 1958 as a pro-Nasir journalist for Beirut newspapers. As a leading figure in a group of intellectuals called the Palestine Liberation Front (established 1961), he wrote a pamphlet, Tariq al-‘Awda (1963) which was taken into name of group (Palestine Liberation Front-Path of Return: PLF-PR). Formed alliance with Shuqayri, who made him PLO rep in Beirut (1965, a position he held until 1993) & onto PLO-EC (Jul66), encouraging the formation of Palestinian associations in Lebanon, through which to recruit activists. PLF-PR incorporated Palestine National Liberation Front of Ahmad al-Sa‘di in 1966; and obtained recruits for PLA. West Bank PLF-PR supported Fatah, & eventually incorporated itself into it by Sept68 after Hut decided to leave. Thought to have been offered position as PLO spokesman after Kamal Nasir’s death, but refused; but did serve as PLO rep to the UNGA on various occasions. As the PLO rep in Lebanon, took a key role in managing the Palestinian position in the conflict & civil war, narrowly avoiding assassination on various occasions, esp by al-Sa‘iqa in Jan76. Opposed Oslo, & suspended his participation in PLO-EC, removing himself from all positions in PLO. Remains critical of leadership's stance towards refugee Palestinians & esp those in Lebanon; helps in coordinating Damascus groups.

Muhammad al-Ja‘bari: (1900-80): mayor ("king") of Hebron. Studied at al-Azhar, gaining degrees in 1918, 1921 & 1922; & a degree in Islamic law in 1931, then taking up title of Shaykh. Became mayor of Hebron under Mandatory rule from 1940. President of Dec48 Jericho conference, giving uncritical support to ‘Abdullah. Subsequently appointed to Jordanian Senate (1950-1, ’59-62, ’63-4) & cabinet (1955, ’58, ’59-60) on numerous occasions, as well as returning to position as mayor of Hebron from 1964. Owned Sawt al-Khalil & Ulema’s Conference magazines; President of Muslim Youth Assoc. Set up a public forum in Hebron, Lajnat al-Masalih al-‘Amma (Public Interests Committee) in 12/69; at 1st, contained 50 notables, expanded to c.150-300 during 1970-1. Intended to boost Ja’bari’s position against his widespread detractors (Jordan & PLO). Concentrated on local issues (arrests, house demolitions), but opposed strikes & demos. Did attempt to stretch his influence, requesting a meeting of all West Bank mayors in Apr70, but Israel refused permission. His position went uncontested in 1972 elections. Constantly shifting his position: after occupation, proposed a Palestinian State in the West Bank & Gaza (8-9/67), bringing strong criticism from Jordan; also earned vehement ire of PLO for this, for his negotiations with Israel for ‘autonomy’ in West Bank, & for rejecting the role of the PLO in any future negotiations; later spoke of sole authority to Jordan. Proposed creating a new pol party, the ‘Land Party’ in West Bank, independent of PLO. Did not run in 1976, giving his support to ‘independent’ candidates, none of whom were elected to the council.

Nabil al-Ja‘bari: Dentist, chancellor (from mid80s) & chair of the Board of Trustees at Hebron Uni. Was a member of the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid process; member of PNC. Clashed with the PA in Nov99 over his wish to keep Hebron Uni independent. 

Imil Jarjoui [Imil Musa Basil Jarjoui]: PLO-EC member; PLC member for Jerusalem (Fatah). Deals with Christian affairs for the PA, inc heading committee welcoming the Pope in Jan00. Owns the Christmas Hotel in Bethlehem.

Bassam Jarrar: Islamic intellectual. Leading member of Higher Islamic Council in Jerusalem; imam of Ramallah mosque; director of al-Nun centre for Qur’anic studies in al-Bira. Has harshly criticised the opening of a casino in Jericho & the model women’s parliament. Thought to be a Hamas supporter.