The U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN)/Palestinian Popular Conference Network, extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Shafiq Al-Hout and to the Palestinian and Arab people. His passing is a tremendous loss to the people and cause of Palestine.
Al-Hout, a founder of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and a member of its Executive Committee until his resignation in 1993 in protest over the Oslo Accords, dedicated his life to the Palestinian cause. Honorable, generous and straightforward, his commitment to Palestinian liberation was total and unmitigated by the exigencies of politics and power. He was unswerving in his commitment to haq al-awda, the Palestinian refugees’ inalienable right to return to their original towns and villages in historic Palestine. Al-Hout was a principled and rigorous advocate of his people’s quest for freedom and dignity.
Of all Palestinian public figures, the independent-minded and critical Al-Hout had the keenest understanding of the Palestinian struggle. His faith in the ability of the Palestinian people to overcome adversity remained unwavering. Commenting on the persecution of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Al-Hout once remarked that if Palestinians heard that an embassy was giving out visas, there would be a line from Rashidiyyeh in Southern Lebanon to that embassy’s gates. If any credible political leader promises to lead them to the attainment of their rights, there would be the same line of people to his/her door.
May he rest in peace.
USPCN/Palestinian Popular Conference
August 4, 2009
