Born in 1943 in Jerusalem, Kareem Dabbah studied visual arts and graduated from Strongonoff Academy for Fine Arts in Moscow in 1973. He taught art at Al-Najah National University from 1981 to 1997, and Al Quds University from 1997 – 2003. He was an active member of the Board of the Palestinian Artists League. Dabbah specialized in copper engraving and worked with ceramics too. His artworks focus on popular folkloric symbols and Arabic calligraphy.