Karim Khalaf Square is located on Tokyo Street, close to the Ramallah Cultural Palace. In its design, the Ramallah Municipality took into account the expression of Khalaf’s patriotic and popular character, which had long irked the occupation. He is always impassioned like the torch that was artistically designed for the square.

Karim Hanna Khalaf was born in the city of Ramallah in 1937, and became mayor and head of the Ramallah Municipal Council in 1972. Karim Khalaf was a prominent member of the Palestinian National Front and a senior leader in the National Steering Committee, which, under the leadership of the PLO, coordinated the national struggle against the occupation. He was also a member of several boards of directors of Palestinian universities, institutions, and associations on various cultural, agricultural, and educational levels. He also contributed to the establishment of many national institutions in Palestine.

In 1976, he led the municipal elections campaign, and the National Bloc managed to assume control of the municipalities. Has was persecuted by the occupation authorities for a long time; house arrest was imposed against him for many years, and he was banned from travel outside the country for a long period. In 1982, the occupation authorities removed him as mayor of the municipal council, exiled him to Jericho, and placed him under house arrest. Since his removal as mayor, he never hesitated to work for his city and his country, until he passed away in March 1985.