Yasser Arafat Museum hosted a lecture to commemorate the centenary of Dr. Haidar Abdel Shafi in Al-Muntada Hall on Sunday, 3 November 2019. 

Member of the PLO Executive Committee Dr. Saeb Erekat, Minister of Economy Mr. Khaled Al-Osaily, Minister of Public Works and Housing Dr. Mohammad Zyara, member of YAF Board of Directors Dr. Nabil Kassis, YAF Director General Dr. Ahmad Soboh, and other national, political and cultural figures attended the lecture. 

In his remarks, Dr. Erekat reflected that the birth of Dr. Abdel Shafi cannot pass without remembrance because of his significant impact on the history of Palestine. 

Dr. Erakat noted that Dr. Abdel Shafi, who was born two years after the Balfour Declaration and died during the beginning of the division in the Gaza Strip, had a profound impact on the Palestinian cause through his political and cultural work.  He added that Dr. Abdel Shafi was elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the PLO, and was a cofounder of the Palestinian Red Crescent in 1968. 

In his remarks, Dr. Ghassan Khatib urged all to learn from the personal character of Dr. Abdel Shafi, in order to best serve the Palestinian cause.  He recalled that Dr. Abdel Shafi received among the highest number of votes in the 1996 Legislative Council elections in Gaza. 
 
Dr. Khatib added that Dr. Abdel Shafi was known for his steadfast credibility, especially in his dealings with people that led to his heading the negotiating team in Madrid in 1991.