Yusra al-Barbari

Yusra Al Barbari (1923–2009) was a Palestinian teacher and activist who was a member of the Palestine National Council and of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

Early life and education Al Barbari was born in Gaza City on 15 April 1923. She hailed from a Muslim family. During her studies at high school and university Al Barbari participated in demonstrations against the British rulers of Palestine supporting the invalidation of the Balfour Declaration and ending of the Jewish immigration to the region.

Career and activities Following her graduation Al Barbari worked as a teacher in Gaza which was under Egyptian administration. Then she served as an inspector at girls' schools and developed an educational program for female teacher training. Based on this program the Women Teachers Institute was established in Gaza. The Union took part in the conference which established the General Union of Palestinian Women in Jerusalem in 1965.

Al Barbari was elected as the executive secretary of the Gaza Red Crescent Society in 1973 and later, served as a member of its board of directors.

Personal life and death Al Barbari spoke fluently Arabic, English, and French. Al Barbari's portrait was one of the paintings in the six-month solo exhibition of the Palestinian artist Malak Mattar at the Garden Court Chambers, London, in 2023.