Suheir Abu Awwad

Suheir Abu Awwad grew up in Beit Umar, Ramallah and Bethlehem, all in the West Bank, Palestine. In 2024 she graduated from Palestine Ahliya University in Bethlehem with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Applied Linguistics.

Suheir, often referred to by her nickname Susu, has extensive experience in cross-cultural engagement through Palestinian-Israeli joint initiatives. Since 2019, she has been involved with Roots, initially as a volunteer and currently as a member of the professional staff. She coordinates and facilitates youth dialogue groups as well as women's listening circles, creating safe and transformative spaces for connection and understanding. In addition, she has recently co-authored her first book (with a Jewish-American writer), a children’s book exploring the similarities between Palestinian and Jewish children.

Susu is the niece of Ali Abu Awwad, the well-known Palestinian peace activist and the Palestinian founder of Roots, as well as the daughter of Khaled Abu Awwad, the Palestinian co-director of Roots. One of her brothers is Shadi Abu Awwad, who served as the Palestinian spokesperson for Roots for a number of years.

She currently resides in Bethlehem with her parents.