The Yasser Arafat Foundation announced the winners of the Yasser Arafat Award for Research and Studies in its inaugural year, during a ceremony held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Al-Muntada Hall of the Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah. The award targets young researchers under the age of 30 from Palestinian universities, both locally and internationally.
The announcement was made in the presence of Azzam Al-Ahmad, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and member of Fatah’s Central Committee; Dr. Amjad Barham, Minister of Education and Higher Education; Mona Al-Khalili, Minister of Women’s Affairs; representatives of Palestinian universities; researchers; writers; and public figures.
In his address, Dr. Ahmad Soboh, Chairman of the Board of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, stated that the launch of this award, approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and introduced in March 2025—comes alongside the Yasser Arafat Achievement Award, which has been presented annually since the Foundation’s establishment in 2007. He emphasized that the award aims to promote scientific research and national studies among Palestinian youth, empowering them intellectually and academically. Dr. Soboh stressed that the Palestinian cause is fundamentally a battle of narratives, and that research plays a central role in conveying the Palestinian truth to the world.
Dr. Soboh also highlighted the Foundation’s engagement with universities and students through field visits and the provision of the Foundation’s publications, activities, and programs to enrich academic libraries and support teaching and research.
The submitted research papers addressed a wide range of national themes, including Yasser Arafat and national unity; Yasser Arafat and Palestinian women; the international position on the war of genocide and the future of the Palestinian cause; the role of the student movement in political pluralism; and the impact of democratic electoral processes.
Minister Dr. Amjad Barham affirmed that the destruction of hundreds of schools and universities in the Gaza Strip by the occupation reflects a deliberate attempt to undermine education, knowledge, and the documentation of crimes. He stressed the importance of high-quality academic research that is commensurate with the significance of the Palestinian cause and rooted in historical facts and legitimate rights.
He also noted the recent formation of a new Scientific Research Council by the Ministry, composed of distinguished researchers and national figures.
The Foundation’s Director General, Dr. Odeh Masharqa, presented an overview of the award’s procedures and evaluation process. He explained that a specialized jury of experienced university professors reviewed the submissions according to established academic standards. Out of fifteen submitted papers, ten advanced to the final stage, with three selected as winners.
The award recipients were:
First Place: Dania Jibran Al-Kahla (USD 2,500), Birzeit University
Second Place: Laith Adnan Al-Nis (USD 1,500), An-Najah National University
Third Place: Noha Ishaq Al-Za’anin (USD 1,000), a researcher from Gaza studying at Ain Shams University, Egypt
The ceremony concluded with remarks delivered on behalf of the winners, expressing appreciation to the Yasser Arafat Foundation for its commitment to strengthening national academic research and preserving
Palestinian collective memory.
The Yasser Arafat Award for Research and Studies aims to empower Palestinian youth intellectually and scientifically, support student researchers wherever they are, and enhance awareness of Palestinian national memory through accurate and well-documented knowledge.
