Ziad Abu Amr

Dr. Ziad Abu Amr (born 1950) is a Palestinian politician, author, and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. From 18 March 2007 to 17 June 2007, he was foreign minister of the Palestinian National Authority.

Background

Born in Gaza City in 1950, Abu Amr later attended Damascus University in Syria, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Language. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/ZAmr.html Ziad Abu Amr] – Jewish Virtual Library] He obtained a master's and doctorate degree in Comparative Politics from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.. [http://www.manifeste.ch/ziad-abu-amr.htm Ziad Abu Amr] – Le Manifeste: Mouvement pour une Paix Juste et durable au Proche-Orient] After working as a teacher in Bahrain, Oman, and Syria, he began teaching Political Science at Birzeit University in Ramallah in 1985.

Political career

Running as an independent candidate in the 1996 Palestinian general election, he won a seat in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) representing Gaza City. During this period, he was chairman of the PLC's political committee.

He was re-elected in legislative elections that took place on 25 January 2006, winning 55,748 votes. [ [http://www.elections.ps/pdf/Final_Result_PLC_Dist_Seats_2_En.pdf Final results for the electoral districts] – Central Elections Commission-Palestine]

From April to October 2003, he was Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister (now President) Mahmoud Abbas. [ [http://www.jmcc.org/politics/pna/newpagov03.htm The PA Ministerial Cabinet List] , April 2003. – Jerusalem Media & Communication Centre] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6467973.stm Profiles: Palestinian unity government] – BBC News, 20 March 2007.]

After a period of factional violence in the Palestinian territories in early 2007, the Hamas-led government resigned on 15 February. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh formed a new national unity government with Abu Amr as foreign minister. [ [http://www.jmcc.org/politics/pna/pagovmar07.htm The PA Ministerial Cabinet List] , March 2007. – Jerusalem Media & Communication Centre] The cabinet was approved by the PLC and its members took office on 18 March.

He is associated with many political associations, including the Palestine Center in Washington D.C., the Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations, and MIFTAH, a Palestinian civil rights organization.

Political ideology and views

Abu Amr is considered a reform minded politician and part of the "young guard" of Palestinian leaders. He has, at times, been critical of the Palestinian Authority administration and security services. He has mediated talks between the two main Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, and is widely respected by both groups.

A proponent of democracy and democratic elections, he has been a supporter of representation for opposition groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, claiming that they would be held more accountable for their actions.

Miscellaneous

* Abu Amr is married and the father of four children
* He has published several books, the most well-known being "Islamic Fundamentalism in the West Bank and Gaza: Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Jihad".

See also

* Palestinian government of March 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.palestinecenter.org/ Palestine Center]
* [http://www.cfr-pal.org/ Palestinian Council on Foreign Relations]
* [http://www.miftah.org/ MIFTAH]