Dr. Saeed Abdul Rahman Abu Ali: A Palestinian Legal and Political Luminary at the Heart of Arab Joint Action
From Jenin to the halls of the Arab League, and from lecture rooms to the corridors of political decision-making, Professor Dr. Saeed Abdul Rahman Abu Ali has charted a unique path that blends academic, political, and diplomatic work—making him one of the most prominent legal and political figures in Palestine and the Arab region.
Born in 1955 in the city of Jenin, Dr. Saeed began his academic journey in Tunisia and France, earning several prestigious degrees. These include a State Doctorate in Political Science from the University of Tunis in 1995 and a Doctorate in International Organizations from the University of Toulouse in 1992. He also holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and a diploma in Public Institution Management from Harvard University.
His academic career was just one facet of his multifaceted journey. He held several leadership positions within the Palestinian National Authority, including Governor of Nablus, then Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and later served as Minister of Interior from 2009 to 2014. He also worked as a diplomatic advisor in Tunisia and Director-General for Political and Media Affairs in the Office of the President.
Since 2015, Dr. Saeed has served as Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector at the League of Arab States. In this role, he has led tireless efforts to defend the Palestinian cause and confront settlement and Judaization projects, especially in Jerusalem.
Academically, Dr. Saeed continues to serve as a professor of Public Law and Political Science at various Palestinian universities. He has supervised dozens of graduate theses and served as an accredited academic reviewer for the Ministries of Higher Education and Justice in Palestine.
He has also participated in numerous regional and international scientific conferences and has authored key academic works, including a book on Palestinian constitutional judiciary and another on the situation in Jerusalem. Additionally, he has contributed to the editorial boards of specialized journals such as Falasteen - Shahriyya, Arab Affairs, and Al-Maqdisiyya.
In his character, Dr. Saeed embodies the traits of a statesman, scholar, intellectual, and Arab nationalist—dedicating his life to Palestine and the causes of the Arab nation.
