About the Book
Afif Safieh served as Palestinian General Delegate in London, Washington and Moscow from 1990 to 2008. During this time, he met and interacted with the leading figures of our times: from Yasser Arafat, John Major and Tony Blair; to Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Pope John Paul II.
The Peace Process: From Breakthrough to Breakdown brings together Afif Safieh’s articles, lectures and interviews spanning three decades revealing the political and intellectual journey of one of Palestine’s most skilled and distinguished diplomats.
His writings, which centre on the Palestinian struggle for independence, are a testament to his vision and humanity and provide a unique map of Palestinian diplomacy over the last three decades.
About the Author
Born in Jerusalem in 1950, Afif Safieh is Roving Ambassador for Special Missions for the PLO and the Fatah Deputy Commissioner for International Relations. He served as Head of Mission in London, Washington and Moscow, as well as to the Holy See and the Netherlands. During his service in the Netherlands he was involved in the 1988 Stockholm negotiations that led to the first official and direct American-Palestinian dialogue. He also served as Deputy Director of the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva, and was in charge of European Affairs and UN institutions at Yasser Arafat’s office in Beirut.
After twenty-seven years of exile, Afif Safieh was the first PLO official to return to Jerusalem for a visit in December 1993, but was denied family reunification in his home town. He lives in London with his wife and daughters.
Reviews
‘A welcome addition to the literature written on the Peace Process. It is formidable in its eloquence, humanity and the description of his hopes for a just peace for all Palestinians.’ Judge Eugene Cotran
‘Afif Safieh provides a very personal survey of his country’s struggle for justice ... Essential reading for all who would seek to bridge the divide between Palestinians and Israelis to reach a just and enduring solution to their differences.’ Eugene Rogan, University of Oxford
‘This collection shines with brilliance and insight. There is much to be learned from reading his work—a compelling and principled call for examination and engagement.’ Sara Roy, Harvard University
‘The Palestinian struggle for independence embodies a noble idea and a just cause. In Afif Safieh it found one of its most intellectually powerful, articulate and eloquent spokesmen. A vital contribution to our understanding of the cause that he has served with dignity and distinction for over three decades. It deserves the widest possible readership.’ Avi Shlaim, University of Oxford
