On the 23rd Anniversary of Faisal Husseini’s Death, Few Remember Him

For Nasser Qous, the 23rd anniversary of the day his comrade and mentor Faisal Husseini died could not pass without commemorating it, even if the price would be high.

Faisal was born in Baghdad in 1940, and his father was Abdul Qadir Husseini, commander of the Palestinian forces during the decisive Battle of Qastal on April 9, 1948, during which Abdul Qadir was killed. His grandfather, Musa Kazim Husseini, was also a prominent member in the nationalist movement who was appointed by the British as the first mayor of Jerusalem after they occupied the city in 1917.

Faisal, who was known as the Lion of Jerusalem, met the late Yasser Arafat during his university studies in Cairo, joined the Arab Nationalist Movement in 1957, and was active in the establishment of the Palestinian Student Organization in 1959, which later became the nucleus of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

After the 1967 War, Faisal went to Jerusalem and led the political work of the PLO there.

Nasser accompanied Faisal on all his trips and meetings, both secret and public. He often fought with the Israeli police when they tried to attack Faisal. He was Faisal’s bodyguard and witnessed the last moments of his life in a hotel room in Kuwait on May 31, 2001, when he suffered a heart attack—a sudden and untimely death that was accompanied by many rumors about its cause and reason. He was buried next to his father and grandfather at the Madrasa Khatuniyya near Bab al-Hadid to the west of the al-Haram al-Sharif in the Old City.

A mere six weeks later, Israel closed the entire area around the Orient House by military decree, and shuttered the institution completely.1 Staff were not even allowed to remove much of the library and other research materials and files. The closure remains in effect to this day, periodically renewed like clockwork.

On this 23rd anniversary of Faisal’s death, Nasser says that he could not even reach the place commemorating Faisal in the well-known building with a black iron door. The stately Orient House, known to every Palestinian Jerusalemite, was Faisal’s headquarters and was a touchpoint for all the Palestinians of Jerusalem. The historic building was the home of an ancestor of Faisal’s, Ismail Husseini, who built it in 1897 at a time when he was arguably one of the most important figures in the city.2

“I was surprised that the police beat us even before I arrived at the place and tore up the pictures of the late leader Faisal that I was holding in my hand,” Nasser told Jerusalem Story.

Fewer than 10 people arrived to commemorate the day—the same 10 who have been keen to be present at the same place and time every year. Those included veteran Knesset member Ahmad Tibi (Joint List), who was a companion of Faisal’s even before he was first elected to the Knesset in 1999.

Signs of anger were evident on Ahmad’s face as he emphasized that what happened proves conclusively that Israel, with all its formidable police and security services, is still afraid of Faisal, even though he is no longer among us. “Even his memory scares them,” he told Jerusalem Story.3

Ahmad held up a picture of Faisal, calling him his companion and friend. Ahmad told Jerusalem Story that as he was saying may God have mercy on him, “suddenly an Israeli officer came and took it from me and tore it up in a clear violation of the law, then they announced that this gathering was illegal, although according to Israeli law, this small number is not considered an illegal gathering, and we did not disturb public order.” Ahmad continued, “The police chief told us, ‘We are in a period of war, and by this action you are supporting terrorism,’ so I replied: ‘Faisal Husseini is a supporter of freedom and a lifelong advocate for peace, and you are the one who supports terrorism and the Minister of Terrorism.’”

Faisal was a leader who brought Palestinian Jerusalemites together and tried to unite their ranks, organize their lives, and help them to survive Israeli occupation. He was the most impactful Jerusalemite voice. In any normal world, he would be remembered for his contributions to his community for generations.