Basil al-Araj (1984-2017), known as the “engaged intellectual,” was a Palestinian resistance fighter and activist. He was born in the village of al-Walaja in Bethlehem, in the southern West Bank. He completed his primary education at the al-Walaja village school and his secondary education at the Bethlehem Boys’ Secondary School, graduating in 2002. He earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from 6th of October University in Egypt in 2007. He worked as a pharmacist in the Shu’fat refugee camp from 2009 to 2011 and as a researcher with the Palestinian Museum team in Birzeit in 2014. Basil was renowned for his writing and advocacy for the revolution and resistance until he was assassinated by Israeli occupation forces on March 6, 2017. His body was returned to his family after twelve days of detention. He was buried in his village on March 17, 2017.