Who / What
Walid Khalidi was a Palestinian historian who wrote extensively on the Palestinian exodus. He was a co-founder of the Institute for Palestine Studies, an independent research center focusing on the Palestine problem and the Arab–Israeli conflict, serving as its general secretary for decades.
Background & History
Born on 16 July 1925, his first teaching post was at Oxford University. He resigned from this position in 1956 in protest at the British invasion of Suez. He co-founded the Institute for Palestine Studies in Beirut in December 1963 and served as its general secretary until 2016.
Why Notable
Khalidi is notable for his extensive historical writings on the Palestinian exodus, which are foundational to the field. His role as a co-founder and long-time general secretary of the Institute for Palestine Studies cemented his influence as a key scholarly voice on the Arab–Israeli conflict. Through his scholarship and institution-building, he significantly shaped academic and public understanding of modern Palestinian history.
In the News
He passed away on 8 March 2026, marking the loss of a major intellectual figure. His legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Institute for Palestine Studies, which remains a vital center for research and publishing. His scholarly contributions continue to be referenced in contemporary discussions about the history of the Palestinian people.
