About .
Bseiso Family Archive .
About .
Bseiso Family Archive .
About .
Bseiso Family Archive .
About .
Empowering the public with a balanced view that challenges history
The Bseiso Family Archive tells the story of Mahrous Afandi Bseiso, a key figure in Beersheba during the first half of the 20th century, and his deeply rooted Palestinian family.
The Bseiso family is a branch of the Kayali family, a noble lineage tracing back to the Prophet Mohammad’s daughter.
Over centuries, the Kayali family contributed scholars, artists, and leaders across the Levant. The family name “Bseiso” comes from Alhaj Ahmed Bseiso Al Kayali, a businessman known for his kindness and generosity.
Mahrous Afandi continued this tradition of leadership and ethical entrepreneurship, transforming Beersheba’s desert into farmland before being forced to leave in 1948. Now preserved by his grandson Adel, the archive reflects the rich history and legacy of the Bseiso family.
In modern history, Palestinians have been unjustly portrayed as uncivilized and undeserving, leading to widespread dehumanization. This perception has fueled a lack of empathy and compassion among nations, allowing over 75 years of atrocities to persist while dismissing our struggle for self-determination.
Our mission is to humanize the Palestinian people and shed light on the reality of their struggle by providing comprehensive public education about the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and lands, and to seek full restitution for confiscated and destroyed property, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law.
To transform the public’s understanding of the Palestinian struggle through a fact-based narrative of Mahrous Bseiso’s journey, from land-owner to refugee.
We provide the essential curriculum to deepen education through digital access to the largest surviving collection of Palestinian-owned deeds dating back to 1906. Through unwavering commitment to partnership and legal discourse, we aim to foster a culture of hope and empowerment, where every person can feel informed on the question of Palestine.
BFA was founded by Adel Bseiso, Mahrous Bseisos grandson, a technology entrepreneur with decades of experience building and leading creative and tech-driven ventures.
Born in Palestine and raised in the United States, Adel has served as founder, CEO, creative director, and board member across multiple companies, and is also an accomplished songwriter and music producer.
His personal history is at the heart of what BFA is and why it exists. Years spent preserving and documenting his family's history has only deepened that connection, he understands firsthand what it means to carry a connection to a place and to a people who have spent generations fighting to be heard.
Published in the L.A. Times,
May 13, 2025
Published in the Journal of Palestinian Studies,
Jul 22, 2025
Published in the Journal of Palestinian Studies.
Jul 22, 2025
Published in the Ammon News, May 21, 2025
As we expand, we deepen our understanding and education of Palestinian culture and people through our affiliates.
We are honored to have our collection associated with Columbia University. The DLC is available to the public at the Columbia University library. Special thanks to Rashid Khalidi, professor of the Edward Said Middle Eastern Studies for spearheading this project. We would also like to thank the librarians Dr. Kaoukab Chebaro, and Mr. Peter Magierski for making this happen at Columbia University. Columbia Library Archival Collection
The Palestinian Museum Digital Archive was launched based on a chronological and social trajectory, aiming to present the stories of ordinary Palestinians through their personal and community archives, some of which date back nearly two centuries.
The project seeks to contribute to the building of awareness around Palestine and its identity, in light of the systematic and intentional absence of many archives that were either looted or disappeared as a result of the Nakba and occupation. The Palestinian Museum Digital Archive website thus serves as a platform that builds a network between personal and private archives, intersecting with other archival sites to provide a deeper understanding of the story of Palestine.
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) is a nonprofit Christian ecumenical organization seeking justice and peace in the Holy Land through education, advocacy, and nonviolent action. FOSNA is a Christian voice for Palestine. Special thanks to Jonathan Kuttab, founding member.
If you wish to become an affiliated partner with our organization, please reach out through our contact form and describe your project. Our goal is to create a network of academic and historical researchers to bring our archives to the world through a wide range of perspectives.
