RAMALLAH, West Bank —Al-Karmil, the first major newspaper in Palestine, has been legendary when it comes to the history of journalism in the region. Established by Najib Nassar (1865-1947) in 1908, the newspaper staunchly advocated an independent Palestine until its closure in 1944.
A new play by actor and playwright Amer Hlehel named “Saheb Al-Karmil” (“Owner of Al-Karmil”) narrates the story of this newspaper by taking the audience back to Haifa in 1908. In the play, produced by the Palestinian National Theatre, Hlehel portrays Nassar and Khawla Ibrahim plays Nassar's fearless young wife and co-editor, Sadhij Bahaa Nassar.