On the Issues Episode 145: Samer Sinijlawi
Today’s guest is Samer Sinijlawi, a Palestinian political activist who calls for democracy and Palestinian political reforms, and the founding chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund.
In this episode, Alon and Samer discuss the future of the Palestinians in light of the current state of affairs, the need for new Palestinian leadership, and what Palestinians can do to build bridges and create dialogue with Israelis.
Originally aired April 28, 2026
Full bio
Samer Abdelrazzak Sinijlawi is a Palestinian political activist who calls for Palestinian reforms and democracy, and believes in Israeli Palestinian dialogue and coexistence. He is the founding Chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund.
Born in the Old City of Jerusalem, he received his BA in Business Administration from Birzeit University, and his MA in Conflict Resolution from the Hebrew University. He now lives in the Sheikh Jarah neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
Samer was the only high-profile Palestinian politician who visited The Gaza Envelope after the 7th of October and condemned Hamas atrocities in front of cameras. Furthermore, he also visited the (Shiva) of the Bibas family, offered them his condolences and asked Yarden Bibas for pardon on behalf of his people.
He is invited to major conferences, including INSS, Herzylia conference, MEAD, CMED, JNS and others.
Samer was a head of international and Israeli relations on the Fateh Supreme Committee and was in charge of relations between Fateh and major political parties in Europe and the Arab world and as well as in Israel. In recent years he became the voice of opposition against both Abbas and Hamas. His op eds and TV interviews including with CNN, DW , BBC , France 24 are causing lots of pressure over Ramallah and Gaza. He is considered now an independent political figure.
During the first intifada he spent 5 years in Israeli jails at the age of 15 between 1988 and 1993. In jail, he embarked on his 38 year journey of intensive dialogue with Israelis. He jokes with Israelis saying that he knows them better than they know themselves, as he talks to all of them (right, center and left) while they don’t talk to each other. He meets an average of 300 Israelis a week in different dialogue occasions and is considered one of the rare Palestinians who have positive influence on Israelis. Furthermore, he is the Palestinian with the most appearances in Israeli Media, including TV channels 11, 12, 13, 14 and I24, radio and newspapers.
Some of his Op-Eds were published in the Jerusalem Post, NYT, Newsweek, Le Figaro, The Atlantic, Israel Hayoum, The Toronto Stars, and Haaretz.
Samer speaks multiple languages (fluent Arabic, English and Hebrew and moderate Spanish), loves soccer and wants to continue his mission of changing the dynamics of the Israeli Palestinian relations.
He showed solid support to President Trump Peace Plan and enjoys respect especially among Gazan Elite and among young Palestinian generations.