First woman envoy for Palestinians dies in France, family says

Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestinians abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family says.

“She died today,” her sister Zeina told AFP. She did not provide further details.

According to initial findings, Shahid, who had reportedly been ill for several years, apparently died by suicide, a source close to the investigation told AFP.

“Leila Shahid, the iconic ambassador of Palestine, has left us. This is a huge loss for Palestine and for the world that believes in justice,” Hala Abou-Hassira, the Palestinian representative in France, says on X.

Leila shahid, l’ambassadrice iconique de la Palestine nous a quitté. Une immense perte pour la Palestine , et pour le monde qui croit en la justice . Paix à son âme. pic.twitter.com/0QFnejS390

— Hala Abou-Hassira (@HalaAbouHassira) February 18, 2026

Born in Lebanon in 1949, Shahid was the first woman to represent the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) abroad, beginning her career in Ireland before also becoming a representative in the Netherlands. She served as a representative in France and later at the European Union.