Jamil Hashweh

Who is Jamil Hashweh?

Jamil Issa Hashweh 27/11/ 1903 – 07 /1982 Jamil Issa Hashweh was born in Gaza on November 27, 1903. He was the second child born to Issa Hanna Hashweh and Shafiqua Masaad. Jamil Hashweh grew up in a big household amongst 10 siblings- 5 brothers and 5 sisters.

During the first decade of the 1900s, Beer-Sheeba, in southern Palestine was experiencing a major revival and many Gazan families were heading east to the city. Amongst them were two merchant brothers, Daoud and Issa Hashweh and their families. Jamil was barely five years old at the time. In addition to their trading activities, his father and uncle were granted influential positions in the city council. While Daoud was elected Mukhtar, Issa was a member of the city council.

During Jamil's childhood, a blinding eye disease pandemic hit the area and unfortunately Jamil was infected. Due to poor and limited medical services, he lost his eyesight.

His father, Issa, decided to register him in a German boarding school in Jerusalem where he graduated with honors and mastered Arabic, German, and English languages.

After graduation in the 1920s Jamil Hashweh was appointed as a teacher at the American School in Beer-Sheeba.