Bassam Ahmad Shakaa was born in Nablus in 1930. He enlisted as a volunteer in the Arab Liberation Army in 1948 and engaged in political activity at an early age, joining the ranks of the al-Ba'ath Arab Socialist Party. The Jordanian Authorities hounded him, forcing him to relocate to Damascus in 1958. He was later detained in Mezzeh Prison in Damascus following the collapse of the unity between Syria and Egypt. Then he was deported to Egypt, where he stayed until his return to Nablus in 1965. He was elected mayor of Nablus in 1976 and arrested by the Occupation Authorities, who attempted to force him into exile in 1979. He was subjected to an assassination attempt in 1980, leading to the amputation of his legs. The Occupation Authorities dismissed him from his position as mayor of Nablus in 1982. He was known for his positions critical of the path of settlement and the performance of the Palestinian National Authority. He remained engaged in the fight for freedom until his death on 22 July 2019.

The collection includes family photographs of Bassam Shakaa with his parents and brothers, photographs of him during his wedding and enlistment as a volunteer in the Arab Liberation Army, in addition to others of him when he assumed the position of the mayor of Nablus. It encompasses documents, including a large set of official letters from embassies, consulates, ambassadors and members of parliaments from many countries addressed to Shakaa. The documents also include a set of texts handwritten by him on many matters and issues in Palestine, including the settlement construction, the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the peace process, the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, the legislative and presidential elections, the Division, the events of the two Intifadas, and writings on Arab nationalism. The collection also encompasses newspaper clippings reporting on Bassam Shakaa since his assumption of the position of mayor until he was honoured by an-Najah National University, including news about the decision to force him into exile and his assassination attempt.