Nabeel Kassis (Arabic: نبيل قسّيس) is a Palestinian academic, diplomat and politician. He was born in 1945 in the West Bank town of Deir al-Dubban (now part of the State of Israel). Kassis earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, after which he pursued an academic career, holding professorships at several institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oxford.
Diplomatic career
- Ambassador to the United States: Kassis served as the Permanent Representative of the Palestinian Authority to the United Nations in New York (2002–2005) and subsequently as Ambassador of the Palestinian Authority to the United States from 2006 to 2008. In this capacity, he engaged in negotiations on issues relating to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and sought to promote Palestinian interests within U.S. policy circles.
Government service
- Minister of Planning and International Cooperation: Following his ambassadorship, Kassis was appointed Minister of Planning and International Cooperation in the Palestinian Authority cabinet, a post he held from 2008 to 2010. His responsibilities included coordinating development projects, managing foreign aid, and overseeing strategic planning for the Palestinian territories.
Academic and professional activities
- Kassis has authored numerous scholarly articles in the fields of electrical engineering and systems analysis. He has also contributed to policy papers on governance, economic development, and the peace process.
- He has served on advisory boards for international organizations and non‑governmental organizations focused on development and conflict resolution.
Publications and affiliations
- Kassis is listed as a member of various professional societies, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
- His published works include technical journals as well as policy-oriented reports addressing Palestinian state‑building and infrastructure development.
Current status
As of the latest publicly available information, Nabeel Kassis continues to be involved in academic research and policy consulting. Accurate information about his activities after 2015 is not confirmed.