My Life in the PLO

This is the inside story of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), from its beginnings in 1964 to the signing of the Oslo agreement in 1993.

For over three decades, the main goal of the PLO was to achieve a just peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and to build a democratic state in Palestine for all its citizens. Shafiq Al-Hout, a high ranking PLO official until his resignation in 1993, provides previously unavailable details on the key events in its history such as its recognition by the UN and the Oslo peace negotiations. Analysing and criticising decisions and individuals, including Yasser Arafat, we are taken right to the heart of the decision making processes; our eyes opened to the personalities and internal politics that shaped the PLO’s actions and the Palestinian experience of the twentieth century.

An essential piece of history that sheds new light on the significance of the PLO in the Palestinian struggle for justice.

Author Biography

Shafiq Al-Hout was one of the leading figures of the PLO, from its foundation through to the Oslo Agreement. His autobiography is called My Life in the PLO: The Inside Story of the Palestinian Struggle (Pluto, 2010). He has written numerous articles, essays and books, including The Left and Arab Nationalism (1959), The Palestinian between Diaspora and State (1977) and Moments of History (1986). He lived in Beirut until his death in 2009.

Jean Said Makdisi is the sister of Edward Said. She is the editor of My Life in the PLO: The Inside Story of the Palestinian Struggle (Pluto Press, 2010). Hader Al-Hout is the son of Shafia Al-Hout. He translated his father’s autobiography, My Life in the PLO: The Inside Story of the Palestinian Struggle (Pluto, 2010).