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Top 10 Celebrities with Palestinian arab Heritage

7 min read January 23, 2024

Palestinian Arab ethnicity has produced a rich tapestry of renowned celebrities and notable figures who have left an indelible mark across various fields. From the realms of entertainment, politics, academia, and sports, these individuals have inspired, entertained, and made significant contributions to society.

Here’s a list of 10 of the most popular celebrities and notable people from Palestinian Arab ethnicity:

  • Edward Said (1935-2003): A renowned literary critic, public intellectual, and professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University. He is best known for his groundbreaking book Orientalism (1978), which sparked a critical reevaluation of Western representations of the East.
  • Hanan Ashrawi (born 1946): A prominent Palestinian political figure, diplomat, and academic. She served as the spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference in 1991 and has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Azmi Bishara (born 1956): An Israeli-Palestinian politician, academic, and author. He was a member of the Israeli Knesset from 1996 to 2007, where he advocated for Palestinian rights and criticized Israel’s policies. He is known for his intellectual contributions to Palestinian nationalism and his promotion of a binational state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Rashida Tlaib (born 1976): An American politician and activist serving as the U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 13th congressional district since 2019. She is the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress and is known for her progressive views and outspoken advocacy for social justice, economic equality, and the rights of marginalized communities.
  • Rami Malek (born 1981): An American actor best known for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the biographical drama Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has also starred in films such as Mr. Robot (2015-2019), The Master (2012), and Night at the Museum (2006).
  • Maysoon Zayid (born 1974): A Palestinian-American comedian, actress, and disability advocate. She is known for her candid and humorous take on living with cerebral palsy and for challenging stereotypes about disability. She has performed stand-up comedy around the world and appeared in TV shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2021) and Shameless (2011-2021).
  • Bella Hadid (born 1996): An American model and social media influencer. She is the younger sister of model Gigi Hadid and has been featured in campaigns for brands such as Dior, Versace, and Fendi. She has also been vocal about her support for Palestinian rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
  • Mohammad Bakri (born 1953): A Palestinian actor, director, and screenwriter. He is known for his socially conscious films that tackle issues such as the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the Palestinian diaspora, and the struggle for Palestinian rights. Some of his notable films include “Jenin, Jenin” (2002), “Salt of this Sea” (2008), and “The Time That Remains” (2009).
  • Suheir Hammad (born 1973): A Palestinian-American poet, writer, and performer. She is known for her powerful and evocative poetry that explores themes of identity, displacement, and the Palestinian experience. She has published two collections of poetry, “Born Palestinian, Born Black” (1996) and “Drops of This Story” (2006), and has performed her work around the world.
  • Khaled Hosseini (born 1965): An Afghan-American author best known for his novels “The Kite Runner” (2003) and “A Thousand Splendid Suns” (2007). His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. He is known for his insightful and compassionate portrayal of Afghan history and culture, as well as his exploration of themes such as love, loss, and family.
Palestinians (Arabic: الفلسطينيون, al-Filasṭīniyyūn; Hebrew: פָלַסְטִינִים, Fālasṭīnīm) or Palestinian people (الشعب الفلسطيني, ash-sha‘b al-Filasṭīnī), also referred to as Palestinian Arabs (العرب الفلسطينيون, al-ʿArab al-Filasṭīniyyūn), are an ethnonational group descending from peoples who have inhabited the region of Palestine over the millennia, and who are today culturally and linguistically Arab.Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one half of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the territory of former Mandatory Palestine, now encompassing Israel and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In Israel proper, Palestinians constitute almost 21 percent of the population as part of its Arab citizens. Many are Palestinian refugees or internally displaced Palestinians, including more than a million in the Gaza Strip, around 750,000 in the West Bank, and around 250,000 in Israel proper. Of the Palestinian population who live abroad, known as the Palestinian diaspora, more than half are stateless, lacking legal citizenship in any country. 2.1 million of the diaspora population are registered as refugees in neighboring Jordan, most of whom hold Jordanian citizenship; over 1 million live between Syria and Lebanon, and about 750,000 live in Saudi Arabia, with Chile holding the largest Palestinian diaspora concentration (around half a million) outside of the Arab world. In 1919, Palestinian Muslims and Palestinian Christians constituted 90 percent of the population of Palestine, just before the third wave of Jewish immigration and the setting up of British Mandatory Palestine after World War I. Opposition to Jewish immigration spurred the consolidation of a unified national identity, though Palestinian society was still fragmented by regional, class, religious, and family differences. The history of the Palestinian national identity is a disputed issue amongst scholars. For some, the term "Palestinian" is used to refer to the nationalist concept of a Palestinian people by Palestinian Arabs from the late 19th century and in the pre-World War I period, while others assert the Palestinian identity encompasses the heritage of all eras from biblical times up to the Ottoman period. After the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the 1948 Palestinian expulsion, and more so after the 1967 Palestinian exodus, the term "Palestinian" evolved into a sense of a shared future in the form of aspirations for a Palestinian state.Founded in 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization is an umbrella organization for groups that represent the Palestinian people before international states. The Palestinian National Authority, officially established in 1994 as a result of the Oslo Accords, is an interim administrative body nominally responsible for governance in Palestinian population centres in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Since 1978, the United Nations has observed an annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. According to British historian Perry Anderson, it is estimated that half of the population in the Palestinian territories are refugees, and that they have collectively suffered approximately US$300 billion in property losses due to Israeli confiscations, at 2008–2009 prices.

Most Famous Palestinian arab People

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Palestinian arab Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Palestinian Arab community has a rich and vibrant history, with several cultural and historical inheritances that have shaped the identity of this community throughout the years. From language and literature to culinary traditions and landmarks, Palestinians have contributed significantly to the world’s cultural tapestry. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with Palestinian Arab heritage.

1. Arabic Language and Literature

The Palestinian Arab community has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the Arabic language and literature to the world. Arabic is the official language of Palestine, and Palestinians take immense pride in their linguistic heritage. Palestinian poets and writers have made significant contributions to Arabic literature, producing renowned works that explore themes of love, loss, resistance, and identity.

  • Palestinian writers such as Ghassan Kanafani, Mahmoud Darwish, and Taha Muhammad Ali are celebrated for their poetry and prose, which have captivated readers both within the Arab world and internationally.
  • The Arabic language itself is a source of cultural heritage, with its intricate calligraphy and unique script, known as the Arabic alphabet.
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2. Palestinian Cuisine

The Palestinian cuisine is a delectable blend of flavors and ingredients that reflect the region’s agricultural traditions and historical influences. Palestinian cuisine is known for its use of fresh produce, herbs, and spices, creating dishes that are both healthy and flavorful. Some iconic Palestinian dishes include:

  • Musakhan: A traditional dish consisting of roasted chicken, sumac, caramelized onions, and bread.
  • Masakhan: A flavorful chicken and bread stew cooked with olive oil, sumac, and other aromatic spices.
  • Makloubeh: A delicious layered dish of rice, meat, and vegetables served with yogurt.

These culinary traditions have been passed down through generations, and Palestinian restaurants around the world continue to promote and share the flavors of Palestine, allowing people to experience a small part of the rich Palestinian culture and heritage.

3. Landmarks and Historical Sites

Palestine is home to numerous landmarks and historical sites that hold immense value for Palestinians and the world at large. Some of the most notable include:

  • The Dome of the Rock: Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, this iconic Islamic shrine is one of the most important and recognizable landmarks in Palestine.
  • The Church of the Nativity: Situated in Bethlehem, this Christian holy site is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, attracting visitors and pilgrims from all over the world.
  • The Old City of Hebron: This ancient city is home to the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs), a site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Its historical significance dates back thousands of years to the time of Abraham.

These landmarks and historical sites not only hold religious and cultural importance for Palestinians but also serve as reminders of their connection to the land and their enduring heritage.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Gambian, Serer and Serahuleh roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

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Factsheet About Palestinian arab People

Demographic Value
Total Population 5.2 million
Percentage of Palestinian Arabs in the West Bank 80%
Percentage of Palestinian Arabs in the Gaza Strip 20%
Percentage of Palestinian Arabs in Israel 17.5%
Percentage of Palestinian Arabs in East Jerusalem 37%
Percentage of Palestinian Arabs in refugee camps 36%
Median Age 20 years
Life Expectancy 73 years
Literacy Rate 95%
Unemployment Rate 31%
In 1948, more than 700000 Palestinian Arabs – about half of prewar Mandatory Palestine's Arab population – fled from their homes or were expelled by Zionist militias and, later, the Israeli army during the 1948 Palestine war, following the Partition Plan for Palestine. The expulsion and flight was a central component of the fracturing, dispossession, and displacement of Palestinian society, known as the Nakba. Dozens of massacres were conducted by Israeli military forces and between 400 and 600 Palestinian villages were destroyed. Village wells were poisoned in a biological warfare programme and properties were looted to prevent Palestinian refugees from returning. Other sites were subject to Hebraization of Palestinian place names. These activities were not necessarily limited to the year 1948.The precise number of Palestinian refugees, many of whom settled in Palestinian refugee camps in neighboring states, is a matter of dispute. Around 80 percent of the Arab inhabitants of what became Israel (half of the Arab total population of Mandatory Palestine) left or were expelled from their homes. About 250000–300000 Palestinians fled or were expelled during the 1947–1948 civil war in Mandatory Palestine, before the Israeli Declaration of Independence in May 1948, a fact which was named as a casus belli for the entry of the Arab League into the country, sparking the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The causes of the 1948 Palestinian exodus are also a subject of fundamental disagreement among historians. Factors involved in the exodus include Jewish military advances, destruction of Arab villages, psychological warfare, fears of another massacre by Zionist militias after the Deir Yassin massacre,: 239–240  which caused many to leave out of panic, direct expulsion orders by Israeli authorities, the demoralizing impact of wealthier classes fleeing, the typhus epidemic in some areas caused by Israeli well-poisoning, collapse in Palestinian leadership and Arab evacuation orders, and a disinclination to live under Jewish control.Later, a series of land and property laws passed by the first Israeli government prevented Arabs who had left from returning to their homes or claiming their property. They and many of their descendants remain refugees. The expulsion of the Palestinians has since been described by some historians as ethnic cleansing, while others dispute this charge. Nevertheless, the existence of the so-called Law of Return allowing for immigration and naturalization of any Jewish person and their family to Israel, while a Palestinian right of return has been denied, has been cited as an evidence for the charge that Israel practices apartheid.The status of the refugees, and in particular whether Israel will allow them the right to return to their homes, or compensate them, are key issues in the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The events of 1948 are commemorated by Palestinians both in the Palestinian territories and elsewhere on 15 May, a date known as Nakba Day.

The Ancient Heritage of Palestinian arab Ethnic Groups

References to the Palestinian arab Ethnic Group

There are several references and resources available to learn more about the Palestinian Arab ethnic group:

  • The Palestinian Oral History Archive: This archive contains a collection of personal narratives and testimonies from Palestinians. It provides insights into their experiences, memories, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. The archive is an excellent resource for understanding Palestinian history and culture.
  • The Palestinian Museum: Located in Birzeit, Palestine, the Palestinian Museum showcases the history, arts, and culture of the Palestinian people. It offers exhibitions, educational programs, and online resources to learn about the diverse aspects of Palestinian identity and heritage.
  • “Palestine: A Four Thousand Year History” by Nur Masalha: This book provides a comprehensive overview of Palestinian history from ancient times to the present. It explores the political, social, and cultural developments that have shaped the Palestinian identity over millennia.
  • “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine” by Ilan Pappe: In this book, the author delves into the events of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war and its consequences on Palestinian society. Pappe analyzes the policies and strategies that led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
  • “Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness” by Rashid Khalidi: Khalidi examines the historical development of Palestinian national consciousness and identity. The book explores the impact of various factors, such as Ottoman rule, British colonialism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on shaping Palestinian self-perception.

These references and resources provide valuable insights into the Palestinian Arab ethnic group, its history, and ongoing struggle for self-determination. Exploring these sources can help deepen understanding of the Palestinian people and their cultural, historical, and political contexts.

As we continue to celebrate diversity and embrace the richness of different cultures, let us honor and draw inspiration from these remarkable individuals who have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us on this captivating journey.

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Syarif Muhamad

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