Intissar al-Wazir
Encyclopedia
Intissar al-Wazir (1941-) (also known as Umm Jihad أم جهاد) is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
and a former PNA minister. Her husband was Khalil al-Wazir, a senior figure of the Palestine Liberation Organization
who was assassinated by Israel in 1988. She joined the Fatah
organization in 1959, becoming the party’s first female member. She has a bachelor's degree in history from Damascus University.
, an organization that focuses on the social, economic and legal status of Palestinian women.
She has been a member of the Palestinian National Council
since 1974 and a member of the Fatah-Central Committee since 1987. She was the Secretary-General of the General Union of Palestinian Women
from 1980-85. In 1983, she served as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Fatah-Revolutionary Council. During Khalil al-Wazir's (Abu Jihad's) exile, Intissar lived with him for 30 years although she was not under exile. She returned to the Gaza Strip
in 1995 and was elected to the PLC in 1996. From 1995 to 2005 she has been the Social Affairs Minister of the Palestinian National Authority
.
Palestinian Legislative Council
The Palestinian Legislative Council, the legislature of the Palestinian Authority, is a unicameral body with 132 members, elected from 16 electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza...
and a former PNA minister. Her husband was Khalil al-Wazir, a senior figure of the Palestine Liberation Organization
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
who was assassinated by Israel in 1988. She joined the Fatah
Fatah
Fataḥ is a major Palestinian political party and the largest faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization , a multi-party confederation. In Palestinian politics it is on the left-wing of the spectrum; it is mainly nationalist, although not predominantly socialist. Its official goals are found...
organization in 1959, becoming the party’s first female member. She has a bachelor's degree in history from Damascus University.
Biography
Al-Wazir was born in Gaza City. She helped found the General Union of Palestinian WomenGeneral Union of Palestinian Women
The General Union of Palestinian Women or ' is the official representative of Palestinian women within the Palestine Liberation Organization . It was established in 1965 as a body in the PLO with the goal of creating an active role for women in the social, economic and political spheres of the...
, an organization that focuses on the social, economic and legal status of Palestinian women.
She has been a member of the Palestinian National Council
Palestinian National Council
The Palestinian National Council is the legislative body of the Palestine Liberation Organization and elects its Executive Committee, which assumes leadership of the organization between its sessions. The Council normally meets every two years. Resolutions are passed by a simple majority with a...
since 1974 and a member of the Fatah-Central Committee since 1987. She was the Secretary-General of the General Union of Palestinian Women
General Union of Palestinian Women
The General Union of Palestinian Women or ' is the official representative of Palestinian women within the Palestine Liberation Organization . It was established in 1965 as a body in the PLO with the goal of creating an active role for women in the social, economic and political spheres of the...
from 1980-85. In 1983, she served as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Fatah-Revolutionary Council. During Khalil al-Wazir's (Abu Jihad's) exile, Intissar lived with him for 30 years although she was not under exile. She returned to the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
in 1995 and was elected to the PLC in 1996. From 1995 to 2005 she has been the Social Affairs Minister of the Palestinian National Authority
Palestinian National Authority
The Palestinian Authority is the administrative organization established to govern parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip...
.