Hanan Ashrawi: A Woman of Her Time

In the aftermath of the peace accord signed by Israel and the PLO in September of 1995, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi emerged as a formidable negotiator and a persuasive voice on the international stage. But beyond the polished rhetoric and the public poise, what drives this mother of two whose high profile and personal integrity have made her enemies as well as friends? Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri profiles Ashrawi in this intimate portrait, exploring how she juggles her responsibilities as political activist, writer, and mother—all against the backdrop of challenges facing the Palestinians in their struggle to build a viable state. In the aftermath of the peace accord signed by Israel and the PLO in September of 1995, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi emerged as a formidable negotiator and a persuasive voice on the international stage. But beyond the polished rhetoric and the public poise, what drives this mother of two whose high profile and personal integrity have made her enemies as well as friends? Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri profiles Ashrawi in this intimate portrait, exploring how she juggles her responsibilities as political activist, writer, and mother—all against the backdrop of challenges facing the Palestinians in their struggle to build a viable state. In the aftermath of the peace accord signed by Israel and the PLO in September of 1995, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi emerged as a formidable negotiator and a persuasive voice on the international stage. But beyond the polished rhetoric and the public poise, what drives this mother of two whose high profile and personal integrity have made her enemies as well as friends? Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri profiles Ashrawi in this intimate portrait, exploring how she juggles her responsibilities as political activist, writer, and mother—all against the backdrop of challenges facing the Palestinians in their struggle to build a viable state. In the aftermath of the peace accord signed by Israel and the PLO in September of 1995, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi emerged as a formidable negotiator and a persuasive voice on the international stage. But beyond the polished rhetoric and the public poise, what drives this mother of two whose high profile and personal integrity have made her enemies as well as friends? Palestinian filmmaker Mai Masri profiles Ashrawi in this intimate portrait, exploring how she juggles her responsibilities as political activist, writer, and mother—all against the backdrop of challenges facing the Palestinians in their struggle to build a viable state.