Zuhdi Labib Terzi
| Zuhdi Labib Terzi | |
|---|---|
| 1st Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office 1974–1991 |
|
| President | Yasser Arafat |
| Succeeded by | Nasser al-Qudwa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 February 1924 Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Amman, Jordan |
| Spouse(s) | Widad Awad |
| Children | one daughter and one son |
| Alma mater | Terra Santa College |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
Zuhdi Labib Terzi (20 February 1924 – 1 March 2006) served as the first Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations from 1974 to 1991.[1]
Ambassador to the UN
Terzi was the first Ambassador, Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations and served from 1974 to 1991.[2][3] Terzi successfully fought attempts by the United States to close down the Mission, and following the 1988 Declaration of the Independence of the State of Palestine, Terzi changed the role of the Ambassador from representing the Palestinian Liberation Organization to representing the State of Palestine.[2]
In 1985, the United States Department of State refused Terzi the right to enter the United States for a debate with Harvard professor, Alan Dershowitz.[4] Consequentially, Harvard Law School brought suit against the Secretary of State George P. Shultz to permit Terzi to enter the United States.[4] The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts permitted Harvard's preliminary injunction and denied the Secretary's motion to dismiss.[4]
Personal life and education
Terzi, dubbed a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, was born to Orthodox parents in Jerusalem during the British Mandate.[1] He attended Terra Santa College, and graduated with a law degree in 1948.[1]
