"Notes" by Bassam Ash-Shakʿa, 1960-1980

This twenty-six-page document contains a collection of notes handwritten by Bassam ash-Shakʿa in 1960-1980, addressing the following: Ash-Shakʿa’s participation in political action and the time when he stepped away from different parties and systemizations due to his national positions. Tackling the nationalism of the Palestinian cause; the internal situation in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and especially Lebanese denominations; the presidency of Camille Chamoun and the U.S. protection of his denomination; the aftermath of Jamal Abd anNaṣer’s passing; the event of black September; the revolution in Lebanon and the PLO; and the Arab League’s position on the PLO.  The role of Palestinian municipalities and public committees in resisting the Israeli military and self-rule. Ash-Shakʿa mentions Hamdi Kanʿan, who prevented the expulsion of the Palestinian people from their villages in the occupied territories in Qalqilya and Jenin, post the 1967 war (Naksa).   Ash-Shakʿa’s participation in the Committee of National Guidance and establishing the national front along with Abd aJawad Ṣalehh and Karim Khalaf in 1973. The role of municipalities in guiding audiences to prevent the establishment of an Israeli settlement in alMasʿudiyya, a village between Nablus and Jenin. Details on the local elections of 1976 and the establishment of national rosters away from familial ties and disputes with alMaṣry Family, Maʿzuz al-Maṣry in particular. The roster in which ash-Shakʿa was nominated included: Ẓafer al-Maṣry (deputy), Yser Aṣlan, ʿĀdel Ghanem, Khaldun abd al-Haq, Burhan Nsaibe, Abd al-Baṣet al-Khayyat, Tahsin al-Shakhshir, Hatem abu Ghazale (members). Palestinian municipalities refusing the Israeli self-rule initiative and levying the people to fight against it. The conflict between the military ruler and Nablus Municipality on providing services. Refusing to grant the Municipality authority to prevent demonstrations, remove political slogans and impose the value-added tax. Mentioning Lina an-Nabusly, who was killed in 1967 during a demonstration led by a group of female students at al-ʿĀʾishiyya Girls School in Nablus.