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Portrait of Issa Daoud El-Issa

Issa Daoud El-Issa

Journalist, Nationalist, Orthodox Defender, Activist

Born
1878
Born in
Jaffa, Palestine
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Why Issa is here

Issa El-Issa was a prominent Palestinian journalist and poet. He co-founded the biweekly newspaper Falastin, a leading voice in Arab and Palestinian nationalism and a critic of Zionism. His work played a significant role in shaping Palestinian identity and defending the Arab Orthodox movement against Greek clerical dominance.

Their story

El-Issa was a pioneering journalist and an influential figure in the Palestinian national movement. His newspaper, Falastin, became a symbol of resistance and a platform for advocating Palestinian rights, Arab nationalism, and the struggles of the Orthodox community in Palestine.

He died in Beirut on 29 June 1950.

Milestones

The moments that shaped Issa’s path.

  1. 1911

    Establishment of Falastin Newspaper

    Founded the influential newspaper Falastin, which became central to the Palestinian national movement and Orthodox Christian advocacy.

  2. Exile and Role in Damascus (World War I)

    Exiled during WWI, El-Issa became chief of the royal court in Damascus under King Faisal's government and played a role in promoting the Palestinian cause.

  3. 1928

    Election to Arab Executive Committee

    Elected to the 7th Congress of the Arab Executive Committee as a representative of Jaffa.

  4. Joining the National Defense Party

    Joined the National Defense Party, which opposed the followers of Haj Amin al-Husseini.

  5. 1936

    Surviving an Assassination Attempt

    Survived an assassination attempt, highlighting the contentious and dangerous nature of his work.

Legacy

What they built, changed and left behind.

  1. Advocacy for Arab Nationalism

    Through his newspaper, El-Issa strongly advocated for Arab nationalism and Palestinian self-determination.

  2. Defense of the Orthodox Community

    Actively participated in the struggle for the Arabization of the Orthodox Church against Greek clerical hegemony.

  3. Promotion of Palestinian Cause in Syrian Media

    While in Damascus, influenced local newspapers to dedicate significant space to the Palestinian cause.

  4. Opposition to Zionism

    Strongly opposed Zionism and Jewish immigration to Palestine, using his journalistic platform to voice these views.

  5. Contributions to Arab Orthodox Renaissance

    Played a role in the Arab Orthodox Renaissance, navigating between Ottoman and Arab nationalist ideologies.

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