Hikmat Zaid

Minister Eng. Hikmat Zaid
حكمت زيد
Presidential Advisor for Governorate Affairs (Rank of Minister)
In office 8 April 2006 – 30 November 2013
President	Mahmoud Abbas
Prime Minister	Salam Fayyad
2nd Agriculture Minister
In office 9 August 1998 – 13 June 2002 Acting: 2004–2005
President	Yasser Arafat
Prime Minister	Ahmed Qurei
Preceded by	Abdul Jawad Saleh
Succeeded by	Rafiq Al-Natsheh
5th Transport Minister
In office 11 November 2003 – 24 February 2005
President	Yasser Arafat (until November 2004) Rawhi Fattouh (acting until January 2005) Mahmoud Abbas (after January 2005)
Prime Minister	Ahmed Qurei (after November 2004)
Preceded by	Abdulrahman Hamad
Succeeded by	Saadeddin Kharma
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from Jenin
In office 20 January 1996 – 25 January 2006
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Azzam al-Ahmad
1st Governor of Jenin
In office 27 December 1994 – 24 November 1996
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Zuhair Al-Manasra
Member of the Fatah Advisory Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 2008
President	Mahmoud Abbas
Member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council
In office 1988–2008
Ambassador to Hungary
In office 1985–1995
Preceded by	Atif Abu Bakir
Succeeded by	Khalid Ghazal
Ambassador to Yemen Arab Republic
In office 1979–1985
Preceded by	Office established
Deputy PLO Representative to Moscow
In office 1977–1979
Preceded by	Office established
Personal details
Born	(1945-08-09) 9 August 1945 Silat al-Harithiya, Jenin, Mandatory Palestine
Nationality	Palestinian
Political party	Fatah 1965-Present PLO 1967-Present
Spouse	Itidal Zaid ​ (m. 1971)​
Children	Zaid, Hisham, Samer, Hadil
Residence(s)	Ramallah, Palestine Amman, Jordan
Alma mater	Alexandria University
Occupation	Politician, advisor, minister, governor, ambassador
Profession	Agricultural Engineering

Hikmat Hashim Lotfi Zaid Al-Kilani (Arabic: حكمت هاشم لطفي زيد الكيلاني, romanized: Ḥikmat Hāshim Luṭfī Zayd al-Kīlānī, born 9 August 1945), also known by his kunya Abu Zaid (Arabic: ابو زيد, romanized: Abū Zayd), is a Palestinian politician who served as the 2nd Minister of Agriculture from 1996 to 2002 in Yasser Arafat's third government, the 5th Minister of Transportation and Communications from 2003 to 2005 in Ahmed Qurei's second government and later as a senior Presidential Advisor with Rank of Minister to Mahmoud Abbas for Governorates affairs from 2006 to 2013 in Salam Fayyad's government within the Palestinian National Authority.

Zaid represented the Palestinian Liberation Organization on an international level, serving as the Ambassador to Hungary from 1985 to 1994 to Yemen from 1979 to 1985, and to the Soviet Union from 1977 to 1979. From 1988 up until 2008, he was a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council, where he previously served as the 1st Governor of Jenin from 1994 to 1996 and represented it as a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council from 1996 to 2006. Zaid is currently a member of the Fatah Advisory Council.

Early life and education

Hikmat Zaid was born in Silat al-Harithiya, a village 10 kilometres northwest of Jenin in 1945. Zaid's political affiliations began during his college years at the University of Alexandria in Egypt when in 1963 as a promising young student from Jenin, he was awarded a scholarship by the Egyptian government to study abroad.

On campus, PLO recruiters actively sought out students to join the emerging "Third Generation" of PLO leadership. Zaid, who earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural engineering with a specialization in soil chemistry and served as president of the student body, fit the ideal candidate profile.

After graduation, he wasn't allowed to return to Palestine so he made Amman, Jordan his residence instead.

Career

Early political career

Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Zaid was assigned to a number of significant diplomatic positions. His first prominent duty was as PLO ambassador to Moscow, where he worked to build relations with the Soviet Union, a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause.

Zaid later served as the PLO ambassador in Sanaa, Yemen. In this capacity, he tried to strengthen diplomatic ties between the PLO and the Yemeni government, facilitating relief to Palestinian refugees and obtaining Yemen's backing.

In the early 1980s, Zaid was named PLO ambassador to Budapest, Hungary, where he tried to build ties with Hungary and other Eastern European countries and advocate for Palestinian rights.

Abu Zaid's early political career included key diplomatic duties with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Despite threats from the Abu Nidal Organization, a PLO splinter group who targeted moderate PLO and Fatah Revolutionary Council members like Hikmat and others for assassination, Zaid still carried on his mission.

Following the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993, Zaid returned to Palestine in 1994. His homecoming signaled a new era for Palestinian leadership, highlighting the progress made toward Palestinian self-government. He traveled to many Palestinian cities, including his hometown of Silat al-Harithiya near Jenin, to reunite with his people.

Rise to power

In 1994, after returning to Palestine from his diplomatic posts, Arafat, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, appointed him as the first Governor of Jenin since the Israeli occupation in 1967. He later ran successfully as an independent candidate for Jenin in the 1996 Palestine Legislative Council (PLC) elections on the Fatah list for which he received 14,220 votes. His leadership and reputation in Jenin were further enhanced catching the attention of then President of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat who subsequently appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture in 1998 as part of his third government.

Minister of Agriculture

Main article: Second Intifada

Zaid modernized the agricultural sector which accounted for 25% of Palestine's economy at the time—by establishing regional headquarters, expanding agricultural land and supporting farmers—setting a strong foundation for future progress.

However, as Al-Aqsa intifada broke out after then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a provocative visit to the Al-Aqsa compound the Agricultural sector took a direct hit due to heightened violence. Zaid stated that Israeli military operations have caused over $500 to $700 million in damages to Palestinian agriculture, including the destruction of over half a million trees, fertile land, wells, and irrigation systems since 2000.

During his reign as the minister of agriculture, Abu Zaid imposed an embargo on a wide list of agricultural products from Israel in response to a 10-month blockade on Palestinian movement into Israel. According to him "This measure aims to denounce the destruction of Palestinian agriculture by Israel through the blockade of Palestinian territories. Bananas, mangoes, melons, pears, apples, poultry, eggs, cattle, and dairy goods, with the exception of milk, were among the items boycotted.

Zaid met his Israeli Agriculture Minister counterpart Shalom Simhon on 21 August to discuss the Palestinian Authority's ban on Israeli agricultural products. The ban was imposed due to Israeli military actions causing severe damage to Palestinian agriculture. Zaid indicated the ban could be lifted if the Israeli army allows free movement for Palestinian farmers and workers.

Zaid appealed to Arab agriculture ministers for help, noting the ministry's efforts since 1994 to rehabilitate the sector, which were undone by the conflict. He emphasized that these actions have increased unemployment and pushed over 50% of Palestinians below the poverty line.

Advisory role

Main article: Fatah–Hamas reconciliation process

Zaid ran unsuccessfully this time under Fatah's banner as part of their Revolutionary Council for Jenin in the 2006 Palestine Legislative Council (PLC) elections on the Fatah list in which he received 23,800 votes; lost by a 3250 margin. However he continued his ministerial position as a senior advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas for governorate affairs

Zaid was actively involved in political discussions with rival party Hamas after a year of gruesome fighting and tension in order to restore national Palestinian unity. Zaid headed an envoy whom were the first official Fatah delegation in over a year since the Fatah–Hamas conflict to visit the strip.

Zaid welcomed dialogue for efforts aimed at restoring Palestinian unity with senior Hamas delegation including Ahmed Yousef and Ghazi Hamad and Gaza Governor Muhammad al-Qudwa but not with then de-facto Prime Minister—and leader—of Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh as Fatah does not recognize it legitimate.

Some websites went on to cite credible sources who claimed that the security services intended to arrest Abu Zaid awaiting an investigation. But this was quickly dismissed when Ihab Al-Ghussein, the spokesman for the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, denied such allegations in a press conference to the Palestinian Media Center.

Taher al-Nunu, the spokesman for the dismissed Hamas government at the time, announced on Sunday the statements made by Hikmat Zaid, the advisor to the Palestinian president, about his unwillingness to meet with Ismail Haniyeh are contrary to the truth and that no official meeting was scheduled between both parties.

Zaid affirmed that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Gaza soon.

Zaid regularly visited and met with municipal councils asserting Abu Mazen's continued presidency until new elections are held. He also urged Hamas to engage in dialogue and commit to the Egyptian directive for legislative and presidential elections.

Zaid played a huge role in advocating for the Sixth Fatah General Assembly Conference—the first since 20 years— which can serve a platform for Fatah to reinforce its position, unify its ranks, and prepare for the approaching elections as well as the importance of dialogue with Hamas that reflect ongoing political dynamics and the broader push for unity and democratic processes within the Palestinian territories.

In November 2013, President Abu Mazen retired Zaid and several presidential advisors, including Nabil Amr and Sabri Sedam. Zaid however did remain as a member of the Fatah Advisory Council. Zaid expressed frustration in an interview with Dunya Al Watan that the council was not consulted in decision-making despite its efforts.

Zaid highlighted challenges within Fatah, including internal conflicts, the participation of Gaza members, and the lack of time to resolve issues before the November 29 seventh conference. Zaid criticized inefficiencies in addressing organizational problems in both Gaza and the West Bank but noted that preparations for the conference continued to ensure broad representation of Fatah members.

Outside of politics

Community engagement

Jenin hosted several community events with Abu Zaid’s involvement. These included a friendly football match between Al-Wehdat SC and Jenin FC honoring retiring player Montaser Al-Samoudi, and the 2008 Palestinian Bodybuilding Federation Championship, which drew over 60 participants. Both events emphasized sports and community engagement in Jenin. Zaid also attended the opening ceremony of the Future Center for People with Special Needs, which will help children with disabilities. He also commended the Emirates Red Crescent initiative, which gave food to 4,000 Palestinian families, helping to continuing humanitarian operations in the region.

PLO property dispute

Abu Zaid was mentioned in relation to facilitating the transfer of a PLO property in Musrara, Jerusalem. Reports indicate that Zaid instructed lawyer Fahmi Shabaneh not to intervene in the property’s transfer, with the expectation that the property would be reclaimed when Jerusalem's status is resolved. Following these events, Shabaneh was suspended, and the property was transferred to the Universal Church. This incident has raised concerns about the management and protection of PLO assets amid ongoing political and legal complexities.

Personal life

Hikmat married Itidal in 1971 and had four children with her. They had three sons, named Zaid, Hisham and Samer, and one daughter, named Hadil. Hikmat and his family finally returned to Palestine following the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and the PLO and in 1994 where he later on became the first Governor of Jenin. They have total of 14 grandchildren. Zaid suffered losses of two brothers in the late 1980s, and a third brother in 2024. Hikmat currently resides in Amman.

See also

• List of Fatah members
• Palestinian Legislative Council
• Politics of Palestine

External links

• Growing up in the PLO, The Daily Northwestern (16 May 2002)
• AL-KILANI, HIKMAT ZEID, Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs
• Fatah and Hamas 'restore trust', BBC News (9 June 2008)
• (1994) عودة حكمت زيد إلى فلسطين - من أرشيف السيلة