Shafiq Al-Hout is a prominent Palestinian journalist, author, and political activist. He is the founder and former director of the Beirut-based Palestinian Research Center, and has written extensively on the Palestinian struggle for self-determination. He has served as a member of the Palestine National Council, and has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause in the international arena. Al-Hout has been a major figure in the Palestinian liberation movement since the 1950s, and has been a key figure in the development of the Palestinian national identity. He has been awarded numerous honors for his work, including the Right Livelihood Award in 1988. Al-Hout is a tireless advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East, and his work has been instrumental in advancing the Palestinian cause.