Hanan Ashrawi

Born in Nablus, Mandatory Palestine, Hanan Ashrawi grew up in a Christian family, which is quite handy when you're trying to present a united front against certain... narratives. Her father was a physician and a founder of the Palestine Liberation Organization, ensuring she had a front-row seat to the region's perennial political drama from an early age.

Ashrawi earned her Ph.D. in Medieval and Comparative Literature from the University of Virginia, proving that even revolutionaries can appreciate a good Chaucer. She then returned to academia, teaching at Birzeit University and eventually becoming dean of its Faculty of Arts, before pivoting to full-time diplomacy. Because, naturally, a Ph.D. in medieval literature is the perfect training for navigating the labyrinthine complexities of Middle East peace talks.

Her career has seen her serve as an official spokesperson for the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace process, a cabinet minister, and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. She is known for her articulate and often fiery critiques of Israeli policies, making her a less-than-popular figure in some circles, and a celebrated one in others. A true diplomat, in the sense that she rarely minces words.

Despite her extensive political and academic career, Ashrawi remains firmly rooted in her Christian heritage. Therefore, it would be quite a stretch to find any "Jew" in "Hanan Ashrawi," unless we're talking about the kind of stretch you need to reach the highest shelf in a library filled with comparative literature.