Bios

Palestinian Jerusalemites have made myriad and diverse contributions to their city’s history and community fabric. Here we profile some of those people—past and present; famous and obscure—whose lives and work and stories have helped shape the larger Jerusalem Story over time.
Who Are the Palestinians of Jerusalem? Abd al-Qader al-Husseini

A leader in the Great Palestinian Revolt who was killed defending his city of Jerusalem on the eve of the Nakba

Hassan Sidqi al-Dajani

A prominent politician, lawyer, and journalist whose political views and activism led to his assassination during a turbulent time in Palestine’s history

Who Are the Palestinians of Jerusalem? Shireen Abu Akleh

A venerated Palestinian journalist who reported from the field in the occupied territories for a quarter of a century until she was murdered while on assignment.

Find alphabetically by first letter of last name

Health and Health Care Amin Majaj

A Palestinian physician and public servant who was the “father of pediatrics in Jerusalem”

The West Side Story Betty Dagher Majaj

A nurse from Lebanon who married a Jerusalemite and moved to the city right before the Nakba and embraced the responsibilities thrust upon her for caring for the sick, wounded, and disabled of the city over decades

Who Are the Palestinians of Jerusalem? Sliman Mansour

Sliman Mansour’s art symbolizes Palestinian resistance and identity.

Said Murad

Composer, oud player, and founder of the band Sabreen, which revolutionized Arab music and the Jerusalem music scene