Walid Khalidi

Walid Khalidi, born on July sixteenth, nineteen twenty-five, is a prominent Palestinian historian renowned for his extensive writings on the Palestinian exodus. His academic journey began at Oxford, where he held his first teaching position. However, in nineteen fifty-six, he resigned in protest against the British invasion of Suez, marking the beginning of his commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights.

In December nineteen sixty-three, Khalidi co-founded the Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) in Beirut, establishing it as an independent research and publishing center dedicated to the Palestine issue and the Arab-Israeli conflict. He served as the general secretary of the IPS until two thousand sixteen, significantly influencing scholarship and institutional development in the field.

Throughout his career, Khalidi held various prestigious academic positions, including Professor of Political Studies at the American University of Beirut until nineteen eighty-two and later as a research fellow at the Harvard Center for International Affairs. He also imparted his knowledge at Princeton University, further solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Khalidi has been described by the IPS as 'the historian of the Palestinian cause.' His groundbreaking work, particularly in revealing Plan Dalet, has played a crucial role in shaping Palestinian and broader Arab responses to the loss of Palestine, ensuring that their presence remains visible on the Middle Eastern map.