Khaled Dudin
Khaled Abdel Aziz Taha Dudin is a Palestinian politician and administrator who has served as the Governor of Hebron since March 2024. He previously held a series of administrative and financial posts within the Hebron Governorate and the Palestinian Authority.
Early life and education
Dudin was born in the village of 'Abda near Dura on 1 July 1966. He pursued studies in management and administration: he obtained a diploma in administration from the Modern Community College in Ramallah in 1992, a bachelor's degree in business administration from Hebron University in 1999, and a master's degree in administration from the same university in 2018.Administrative career
Dudin's early service included work in the Palestinian Prime Minister's Office, where he directed the Oversight Department and supervised administrative and financial affairs, thereby gaining experience in governance, auditing, and public sector oversight.In 2012 he was appointed Director General of Administrative and Financial Affairs in the Hebron Governorate, serving until 2018. He then advanced to Deputy Governor of Hebron in October 2018, remaining in that post until August 2023. During the interim period from August 2023 to March 2024, Dudin served as Acting Governor of Hebron. On 3 March 2024, a presidential decree officially confirmed him as Governor of Hebron.
Powers and responsibilities
According to the Hebron Governorate website, the governor holds ministerial-level authority in administrative affairs over his governorate's employees, supervising the enforcement of laws, regulations, and directives from the President and the Council of Ministers. The governor is responsible for maintaining public order, security, public health, morality, and protecting citizens' freedoms and rights. He chairs the Executive Council, the Planning & Organization Committee, the Security Committee, and the Advisory Council. In cases of crimes observed in flagrante delicto, he can act as a judicial officer, and for other crimes he reports them to the Public Prosecution. The governor oversees all administrative tiers in the governorate and may delegate authority to his deputy.Governorship of Hebron
During his time as Acting Governor, Dudin maintained continuity of administration in Hebron under challenging circumstances, monitoring local services and public needs during a period of heightened tension. After his formal appointment, Dudin has taken an active role in public, diplomatic, and development initiatives. He has repeatedly criticized Israeli closure policies and gate closures in Hebron, warning that they "strangle all aspects of life" and harm economic activity.In September 2025, Dudin announced that maintenance and restoration of a water pipeline in the Deir Shaʿar area cost three million shekels.
He has also engaged in official visits and institutional cooperation. In May 2025, Dudin received Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and several government ministers for meetings in Hebron, discussing coordination and development programs. That same month, Dudin accompanied the Prime Minister on a visit to the Al-Aroub branch of the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, underscoring the government's support for higher education in the region.
In April 2025, he hosted Archimandrite Vassian, Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in the Holy Land, in the presence of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs. During that meeting, he affirmed the commitment of the Palestinian Authority to protect church properties and deepen cooperation with Christian institutions.
When a fire broke out at the Russian Orthodox Metochion in Hebron in August 2025, Dudin visited the site, inspected the damage, and ordered enhanced security measures. He disclosed that four suspects had been detained and pledged legal and security follow-up.
In September 2025, following a settler-attack incident, Dudin visited injured victims at Al-Ahali and Al-Meezan hospitals in Hebron to inspect their condition and express solidarity.
He has also met with sectoral ministers. In particular, Dudin met with the Ministers of Tourism and Culture to assess cultural, heritage, and tourism needs in the Hebron area. Their meeting included a field visit to Hebron's Old City and participation in launching the "Roots of Ours" national heritage campaign, intended to promote awareness of Palestinian heritage sites across more than 15 archaeological locations.
From time to time, Dudin conducts local visits. For example, on a Monday in mid-2025, the governor visited families in various neighborhoods, conveying greetings from President Abbas, and emphasized that persons with disabilities are among the government's priorities.
During an official British delegation visit to Hebron intended to "witness facts on the ground," Governor Dudin accompanied the delegation through the old city and Ash-Shuhada Street, drawing attention to closed shops, settler impacts, and challenges facing residents. He urged the international visitors to support removing settlement restrictions and lifting the siege on parts of the city.