Born in Jaljulia, Khatib studied political science at Bar-Ilan University, gaining a BA.

He went on to study Islamic culture, writing his MA thesis on ancient taxation.

[2] A member of the Islamic Movement,[2] He was elected to the Knesset on the United Arab List list in the 1996 elections.

Prior to the 2003 elections media reports suggested that Khatib would join Meretz, but nothing came of them, and he lost his seat.

He current teaches Arabic at Beit Berl College.