Ahmed Majdalani
| Ahmed Majdalani أحمد مجدلاني | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1956 Damascus, Syria |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Occupation | Secretary-General of Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (2009–present) Minister Without Portfolio (2005–2006) Minister of Labor (2009–2011) |
Ahmed Majdalani (Arabic: أحمد مجدلاني) (1956– ) is a Palestinian politician, university professor and researcher. A former Palestinian government minister, he currently serves as Secretary-General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) and teaches at Birzeit University
Early life
Majdalani was born to Palestinian parents in Damascus, Syria in 1956. He enrolled in the Social Sciences Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he graduated with a PhD in political economics.[1]
Political career
Majdalani is a member of the Palestinian National Council and the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).[2] In 1998, he served as the Director-General of Arab and International Relations for the Palestinian National Authority.[3]
On 12 August 2009, following the death of Samir Ghawshah five days prior, Majdalani became Secretary-General of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) after being elected by his party colleagues. Afterward, he stated that his goals were to strengthen Palestinian democratic institutions and encourage elections that would end the strife between Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and Fatah, the dominant Palestinian faction in the West Bank.[4]
Palestinian minister
Majdalani was appointed the government post of Minister Without Portfolio in the 9th Palestinian government from February 2005 to March 2006, where his primary task was dealing with issues regarding the West Bank barrier.[1]
Most recently, he served as the Minister of Labor for the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority. He was appointed the post by Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, on 19 May 2009.[1] On 22 November 2011, during a radio interview with Rayya FM, Majdalani referred to civil servants as "brothers of whores," not realizing his microphone was still on. He apologized soon after and denied he was referring to Palestinian workers, but was instead criticizing Israel and its West Bank policies. The comments drew an angry reaction from Palestinian workers and a condemnation from Bassem Zakarneh, the head of the Palestinian Workers Union. Hundreds of civil servants protested in Ramallah demanding Majdalani's dismissal.[5] On 1 December, Majdalani submitted his resignation.[6]
Academic career
Majdalani is a professor of philosophy and cultural studies for Birzeit University located north of Ramallah. He has authored three research studies: The Serious Threats Facing the Palestinian National Project (2007), The Arab Peace Initiative: An Option or Strategy for Peacemaking? (2007), and A Unilateral Declaration of Independence (2008).[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ahmed Majdalani Profile. Jerusalem Media and Communications Center (JMCC). 2010-01-23. Retrieved on 2012-01-23.
- ↑ Who are the members of the new Palestinian government? Ma'an News Agency. 2009-05-19. Retrieved on 2012-01-23.
- ↑ Report of the Director-General: appendix. International Labor Organization, 1998. p. 2.
- ↑ PPSF elects new Secretary General replacing deceased former leader. Ma'an News Agency. 2009-08-12. Retrieved on 2012-01-23.
- ↑ Palestinian minister under pressure after on-air insult. Agence France-Presse (AFP). 2011-11-29. Retrieved on 2012-01-23.
- ↑ PA labor minister offers resignation. Ma'an News Agency. 2011-12-01. Retrieved on 2012-01-23.
- ↑ Ahmad Majdalani. Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics and Culture.