Known as Abu Ala. Born in Abu Dis, Jerusalem.

Member of the Central Committee of the Fatah movement since 1989. Member of the PLO Central Council. Member of the PNC. Founder of Samed Institute in Beirut in the late 1970s . Head of the PLO economic department in Tunis.

Chief negotiator for the PLO during the secret talks with Israel in Norway in 1993. Minister of Economy in the PNA.