Prominent Palestinian Scholar Walid Khalidi Dies at 100, Leaving Complex Legacy

Walid Khalidi, the renowned Palestinian scholar and longtime Harvard University fellow, died in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 14 at the age of 100. Born in Jerusalem in 1925, Khalidi’s academic work significantly contributed to establishing “Palestinian” as a recognized national identity, countering persistent arguments—still maintained by some, including former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee—that deny the existence of a distinct Palestinian people.

Throughout his distinguished career, Khalidi’s scholarship helped reshape Western perceptions of the Arab-Israeli conflict, particularly regarding the events surrounding Israel’s founding in 1948. His work emphasized the Palestinian narrative of displacement, challenging narratives that minimized Israel’s role in the conflict.

In 1978, Khalidi published what would become a landmark article in Foreign Affairs titled “Thinking the Unthinkable: A Sovereign Palestinian State,” advocating for Palestinian statehood at a time when such positions were controversial. Notably, Khalidi was among the early proponents within the Arab intellectual community to support a two-state solution, positioning him as a moderate voice in a deeply polarized discourse.

The circumstances surrounding the Palestinian exodus during Israel’s establishment remain contested historical territory. While Khalidi and others have argued that Palestinians were systematically driven from their homes, competing historical accounts, including Joan Peters’ “From Time Immemorial,” suggest a more complex reality. Peters, who began her research with pro-Arab sympathies, concluded that many Palestinians left the region during the 1948 war—a conflict initiated by surrounding Arab states but ultimately won by Israel. Historical records indicate that both Zionist leaders and Arab officials made efforts to persuade Palestinians to remain in their homes.

Khalidi’s insistence on the legitimacy of Palestinian national identity represented both scholarly rigor and humanitarian concern. This position stands in stark contrast to those who dismiss “Palestinian” as an artificial construct, especially given that several modern Middle Eastern national identities emerged from colonial boundaries. Jordan, for instance, was established as Trans-Jordan by Winston Churchill in the 1920s, while the term “Palestine” has historical roots dating back to biblical times.

Critics note that Khalidi played a significant role in popularizing the term “Nakbah” (catastrophe) to describe Israel’s creation—terminology that some view as rejecting not just the Jewish state but Jewish presence in the region. This characterization conflicts with historical evidence of continuous Jewish habitation throughout the centuries and the initially inclusive vision of early Zionist movements, which included Palestinians in their labor organizing under leaders like David Ben-Gurion.

Despite these controversies, Khalidi earned his reputation as the “Father of Palestinian Studies” and distinguished himself as a scholar who consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions in a region often defined by intractable conflict. His willingness to challenge orthodoxies—including those of Palestinian leadership—was evident in his remark that he wished PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat had “taken my advice more often.”

Khalidi’s century-long life spanned the entirety of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict, from the British Mandate period through the establishment of Israel, multiple wars, peace initiatives, and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian statehood. His scholarly contributions, while controversial to some, undeniably shaped academic and policy discussions around one of the world’s most persistent geopolitical challenges.

As the Middle East continues to navigate complex questions of identity, sovereignty, and coexistence, Khalidi’s intellectual legacy remains a significant reference point for understanding the Palestinian perspective within this multifaceted conflict.