Leila Shahid, a pioneering Palestinian diplomat who became a symbolic voice for her people in Europe, has died at the age of 76 in France.
Her family confirmed her death at her home in the village of Lecques in southern France on Wednesday. Authorities say initial findings suggest she took her own life after years of serious illness, and an investigation has been opened to confirm the circumstances.
Born in Beirut in 1949 into prominent Palestinian families, she was educated at the American University of Beirut and entered diplomatic life during a turbulent era for her homeland.
She made history as the first woman to represent the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) abroad, beginning with a posting in Ireland in 1989 and later serving in the Netherlands and Denmark.
Leila ’s most visible role came in France, where she served as the General Delegate of Palestine from 1994 to 2005. She then became the Palestinian representative to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg in Brussels, a post she held for about a decade.
Her tenure coincided with critical moments in the Middle East peace process and a time when international debate over Palestine intensified.
Read More: Pakistan Highlights Plight of Women in Palestine, Kashmir at UN
Throughout her career, Leila was known for her eloquence, tenacity, and unwavering advocacy. She was among the first Palestinian diplomats to engage with Israeli peace advocates, striving to bridge divides even as the broader conflict deepened.
Her efforts extended beyond formal diplomacy to include cultural and political dialogues across Europe. The news of her passing has sparked a wave of tributes from diplomats, activists, and colleagues.
Hala Abou-Hassira, the current Palestinian ambassador to France, described Leila in a post on X as “an iconic ambassador and a tremendous loss for Palestine and for the world that believes in justice.”
Karim Amellal, a French scholar and former government official, remembered her as “a strong and dignified voice for Palestine in France, a tireless advocate for peace.”
Leila’s voice remained influential even after her retirement in 2015. In interviews late in life, she spoke passionately about the continued struggle for Palestinian self-determination, emphasizing the need for international recognition of a Palestinian state and highlighting the profound human cost of conflict.
Her death marks the end of a chapter in Palestinian diplomacy, a career defined by courage, conviction, and an enduring commitment to her people’s cause in the face of adversity.
