Hani al-Hayek

Hani al-Hayek (Arabic: هاني الحايك; born 20 November 1953), full name Hani Naji Attallah Abd al-Masih al-Hayek (Arabic: هاني ناجي عطا الله عبد المسيح), is a Palestinian politician who has served as minister of tourism and antiquities in the Palestinian government since 31 March 2024. He was appointed as part of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.^[1]

Hani al-Hayek was born on 20 November 1953 in Beit Sahour, a predominantly Christian town near Bethlehem in the West Bank.^[2]

Before his appointment as minister, al-Hayek served multiple non-consecutive terms as Mayor of Beit Sahour, including his election in 2022. His local political career is rooted in community development and municipal governance.^[3]

On 28 March 2024, President Mahmoud Abbas ratified the formation of the nineteenth Palestinian government, and al-Hayek was assigned the portfolio of minister of tourism and antiquities. He officially took the oath of office on 31 March 2024.^[4]

Al-Hayek succeeded Rula Maayah in this role. During the handover ceremony held at the ministry headquarters in Bethlehem, both he and his predecessor stressed the importance of cultural heritage preservation and tourism development as pillars of the Palestinian economy and national narrative.^[5]

As minister, al-Hayek has been actively involved in documenting, safeguarding, and advocating for Palestinian archaeological and historical sites. He has highlighted the destruction and damage to heritage sites, particularly in conflict zones like the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that these losses affect the Palestinian collective memory and national identity.^[6]

Under his patronage, assessments and reports have been prepared on the risk and damage faced by cultural heritage sites, aiming to inform restoration strategies.^[7]

Al-Hayek has pursued cooperation with foreign governments and international bodies to strengthen cultural preservation and tourism promotion. For example:

• He met with the ambassador of Venezuela to discuss bilateral tourism cooperation and strategies to attract international visitors.^[8]
• He and the Greek minister of culture signed an action plan for joint efforts in cultural site preservation, focusing on technical exchange and educational programs.^[9]
• He participated in international exhibitions and events, such as the Paris “Treasures Saved from Gaza” exhibition co-opened with French officials.^[10]

Al-Hayek has actively promoted Palestinian tourism assets, including archaeological, religious, and natural sites, remarking that such tourism not only supports the economy but also reinforces the Palestinian historical narrative. He highlighted World Tourism Day as an opportunity to call for freedom of movement and access to holy sites.^[11]

Beyond international outreach, al-Hayek has engaged with local educational and research institutions, such as the Palestine Museum of Natural History, emphasizing collaborative efforts to support research and heritage education.^[12]

Al-Hayek has been vocal about the impact of occupation and conflict on heritage and tourism sectors. He has called for global support for cultural preservation and criticized actions perceived to threaten Palestinian historical sites.^[13]

Al-Hayek is a member of the Fatah political movement and comes from a Christian Palestinian background in Beit Sahour. His municipal leadership and ministerial work reflect ongoing engagement in both local and national civic affairs.^[14]