Meet the engineer hoping to be the first Palestinian-Scot MSP

The National

4 days ago

Adam Al-khateb, who is currently running to be the list candidate for the Scottish Greens in Lothian, is hoping to make history by becoming the first Arab candidate elected to Holyrood.
The 32-year-old Edinburgh-born activist, who is standing for selection on the Scottish Green Party's regional list in Lothian, told The National he wants to give voice to underrepresented communities — particularly Palestinians and the wider Arab and Muslim population in Scotland.
Al-khateb is the co-convenor of the party's Palestine Solidarity Group and has been a member of the Greens since 2024, citing the party's strong stance on Gaza as a key reason for joining alongside his own environmental background.
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"The Scottish Greens have never had a candidate from a Muslim or Arab background. In fact, no Arab has ever stood for Scottish Parliament. So if selected, it would be a historic milestone — not just for the Greens, but for Scottish politics," he said.
Al-khateb said he's never felt represented by the cohort of MSPs in Holyrood, adding: "That's one of the biggest reasons I'm standing — to give Palestinians and the wider Arab community a voice. We've had some great representation from other communities, particularly politicians with Asian heritage, but never from the Arab community."
Former first minister Humza Yousaf was the countries first Muslim leader, and Anas Sarwar is the first leader of the opposition who is also Muslim. Both have faced fierce discrimination, most recently from rising Reform UK in the form of campaign materials targeting Sarwar.
Al-khateb was born in the capital and attended Edinburgh Napier University where he studied energy and environmental engineering. Alongside his Scottish culture, he always remained in touch with his Palestinian heritage.
He shared: "My grandparents were 1948 Nakba survivors — they were forcibly displaced by the creation of Israel and settled in various Arab states. My mother came to Scotland in the 1980s to study, and that's how we ended up here. Most of my extended family are still in the Middle East.
"It's been hard on my family — being far from home, especially in times of crisis. But the sense of community here has helped. And yes, the current situation has absolutely inspired me to enter politics. I want our voices to be heard."
Al-khateb said in recent years, as Israel's genocide in Gaza has escalated, he and his family have felt Scotland's solidarity with the country grow from its already solid grassroots foundations.
"Growing up was quite difficult — there wasn't a large Arab or Palestinian community around me at the time. A lot of my friends and peers were Scottish or European, and I didn't have a strong sense of cultural community around me.
"But more recently, that's changed. Despite what's going on globally, we now have a stronger Arab and Palestinian presence here in Scotland, and that support makes a big difference. There's a sense of solidarity and connection that wasn't there before."
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The engineer is currently campaigning for his fellow members to back him as their candidate in the region, adding: "I'm a qualified energy and environmental engineer, community leader, and have strong networks across public, private, and third sectors. I bring skills, credibility, and lived experience."
He also believes he can help the Greens grow their vote by using his strong ties with Muslim, Arab, Asian, and African communities in the Lothian region.
"These are communities who might vote Green for the first time if they see someone they trust and identify with."
The Greens are currently undertaking a two-week internal selection period. By mid-July, the party will have selected candidates.