Today we celebrate the centenary of the birth of Professor Walid Khalidi, one of the most influential Palestinian scholars of our time and a pivotal figure in the modern intellectual, academic, and political life of the Palestinian people. As one of the founders of the Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) in 1963, Professor Khalidi's lasting legacy shaped not only the institute itself but also the broader field of Palestinian and Arab research and advocacy.
Over the past century, Professor Khalidi's life has been marked by an unwavering commitment to truth, historical accuracy, and justice for Palestine. His career began in the 1940s with the Arab Bureau in Jerusalem, where he worked to present the Palestinian cause to the world during a period of profound turmoil. Having witnessed the trauma of 1948 firsthand, he went on to study and later teach at Oxford University. In 1956, he resigned in protest against Britain's role in the tripartite invasion of Egypt—an act emblematic of the principled positions that defined his life.
He continued to teach for decades at the American University of Beirut, Harvard University, and other institutions, educating generations of students—many of whom became prominent scholars, diplomats, and leaders. In parallel with his academic work, Professor Khalidi remained deeply involved in political and intellectual movements in the Arab world, particularly the rise of Arab nationalism and the evolution of Palestinian politics in the aftermath of 1967.
Professor Khalidi's scholarly contributions are wide-ranging and transformative. He helped lay the foundations for academic writing on the Nakba, debunking long-standing Zionist myths and placing Palestinian history on solid scholarly ground. His articles, such as "Plan Dalet" and "The Fall of Haifa," republished in the Journal of Palestine Studies, remain landmark texts. His books—including "From Refuge to Conquest," "Before Their Dispersion," and "All That Remains"—represent a collective intellectual achievement that has shaped global understanding of the Palestinian experience.
As one of the founders of the Institute for Palestine Studies, along with Constantine Zureik and Burhan Dajani, and a member of its first board of trustees—along with Widad Cortas, Najla Abu Izzedine, and others—Professor Khalidi envisioned the institute not only as a research center, but as a cornerstone of cultural and political resilience. For over 60 years, the Institute for Palestine Studies has published authoritative scholarly studies, supported younger generations of researchers, and preserved Palestinian memory through its extensive archives, journals, books, and digital platforms.
From the press conference held on the occasion of the publication of the Institute for Palestine Studies Bulletin, April 7, 1971
His contributions to the Institute for Palestine Studies were not limited to ideas. For decades, Professor Khalidi served as Secretary of the Board of Directors, then President Emeritus, continuing to provide guidance and vision well into his tenth decade. His belief in the role of science as a tool of resistance remains central to the Institute's work today.
At a time when Palestine is once again facing unprecedented violence, and memory itself is under assault, Professor Khalidi's determination to document, analyze, and understand the history of the Palestinian people takes on renewed importance. His efforts to preserve the Khalidi Library in Jerusalem, a priceless Palestinian and Arab treasure, are just one example of his broader mission to defend and preserve Palestine's cultural heritage against erasure.
Photo: Lydia A. Cristobal
Today, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, we at the Institute for Palestine Studies extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes to Professor Walid Khalidi. We celebrate not only his longevity, but also the depth of his contributions and the clarity of his vision. His integrity, discipline, and dedication have been a beacon for generations of Palestinians and for all who seek justice.
As he enters his 100th year, Professor Khalidi continues to follow the work of the Institute for Palestine Studies and reflect on the challenges and hopes facing Palestine today.
We wish him continued health and peace, knowing that his life's work remains a source of inspiration, guidance, and permanence.
From the press conference on the occasion of the publication of the Bulletin of the Institute for Palestine Studies, April 7, 1971
From the meetings and gatherings of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Palestine Studies, 1999
From the meetings and gatherings of the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Palestine Studies, 2010
Walid Khaled
Photo by Lydia A. Cristobal
Walid Khalidi
Walid Khalidi
The headquarters of the Institute for Palestine Studies in Beirut
Washington Office of the Institute for Palestine Studies
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