Foreign relations of Palestine#Relations with international organisations
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{{further|International recognition of Palestine}}
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{{Politics of Palestine}}
The foreign relations of Palestine have been conducted since the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964. Since the Oslo Accords, it seeks to obtain universal recognition for the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. {{Numrec|Pal|link=N|asof=S}} of the {{UNnum}} United Nations (UN) member states officially recognize the State of Palestine (Israel is recognized by 164 excluding Israel itself).
In November 1988, the Palestinian National Council declared the independence of the State of Palestine, and in 1994, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) was established following the Oslo Accords. The PLO Executive Committee performs the functions of the government of the State of Palestine.
After 2011, the PLO's diplomatic effort focused on the Palestine 194 campaign, which aims to gain membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations. In November 2012, the State of Palestine was accepted as a non-member observer state of the UN General Assembly with the passing of United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19.[https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/L.28 United Nations A/67/L.28 General Assembly] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201102703/http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A%2F67%2FL.28|date=1 December 2012}}. 26 November 2012.{{cite news |date=29 November 2012 |title=Palestinians win implicit U.N. recognition of sovereign state |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-statehood-idUSBRE8AR0EG20121129 |access-date=29 November 2012}}
Background
The Palestine Liberation Organization was created in 1964 as a paramilitary organization and has sought to conduct foreign relations with states and international organisations since that time.{{Cite book|author=Peleg, Ilan|title=The Middle East peace process: interdisciplinary perspectives|page=124|year=1998|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-3541-0}} "... foreign policy formation of non-state actors as well as states. ... Since its inception in 1964, the PLO as a non-state actor has exercised a number of roles that approximate those utilized by nation-states." Initially, the PLO established relations with Arab and communist countries. In 1969 the PLO became a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.The State of Palestine succeeded the seat of the Palestine Liberation Organization following the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of Independence. In October 1974, the Arab League designated the PLO as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people".{{cite book |last=al Madfai |first=Madiha Rashid | year = 1993 | title = Jordan, the United States and the Middle East Peace Process, 1974–1991 | series = Cambridge Middle East Library | volume = 28 | location = Cambridge | publisher = Cambridge University Press | isbn = 978-0-521-41523-1 | page = 21}} The new status of the PLO was recognised by all Arab League states except Jordan (Jordan recognised that status of the PLO at a later stage). On 22 November 1974, United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3236 recognised the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty in Palestine. It also recognised the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people to the United Nations. By Resolution 3237 on the same date, the PLO was granted non-State observer status at the United Nations.{{cite web |author= UN General Assembly |url= http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/resolution3237.html |title= UN General Assembly Resolution 3237 |publisher= UN General Assembly (via The Jerusalem Fund) |date= 22 November 1974 |access-date= 29 September 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111110015616/http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/resolution3237.html |archive-date= 10 November 2011 |df= dmy-all |author-link= United Nations General Assembly }}{{cite book | title = Isolated States: A Comparative Analysis | series = Cambridge Studies in International Relations | volume = 15 | page = [https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld/page/155 155] | author = Geldenhuys, Deon | location = Cambridge | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 1990 | isbn = 978-0-521-40268-2 | url = https://archive.org/details/isolatedstatesco0000geld/page/155 }} In September 1976, the PLO became a non-state member of the Arab League, and in the same year became a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.
On 15 November 1988, in support of the First Intifada, the PLO declared the establishment of the State of Palestine, which was widely recognised by many foreign governments,Tessler, Mark A. (1994). A History of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (2nd, illustrated ed.). Indiana University Press, p. 722: "Within two weeks of the PNC meeting, at least fifty-five nations, including states as diverse as the Soviet Union, China, India, Greece, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, Malta, and Zambia, had recognized the Palestinian state." although often statements made were of an equivocal nature{{Citation| last = Crawford| first = James| contribution = Israel (1948–1949) and Palestine (1998–1999): Two Studies in the Creation of States| editor-last = Goodwin-Gil | editor-first = G.S. |editor2=Talmon, S.| title = The Reality of International Law: Essays in Honour of Ian Brownlie| pages = 95–100, 110–115| publisher = Fitzroy Dearborn, Oxford University Press| place = New York| year = 1999| contribution-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=FcO3hLQbGXwC&pg=PA95}} "...Declaration was quite widely recognized by states, although often in equivocal terms" – at times referring to the PLO or the State of Palestine or one acting on behalf of the other, or by the generic "Palestine". Many countries and organisations "upgraded" representation from the PLO to the new State, though in practice the same PLO offices, personnel and contacts continued to be used. In February 1989 at the United Nations Security Council, the PLO representative claimed recognition from 94 states.{{Cite book|author = United Nations Security Council |author2=United Nations Department of Political and Security Council Affairs|title = Repertoire of the practice of the Security Council|publisher = United Nations Publications|year = 2008|page = 759|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=C0FR2aSR1SoC|isbn=9789211370300}}{{Cite web|author = Reut Institute|title = Act of Recognition of Statehood|work = Structure of the Political Process|date = 14 August 2004|url = http://www.reut-institute.org/en/Publication.aspx?PublicationId=373|access-date = 16 November 2010|archive-date = 1 October 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221001114047/http://www.reut-institute.org/en/Publication.aspx?PublicationId=373|url-status = dead}} Since then, additional states have publicly extended recognition.
The PNA was established by the PLO in 1994 following the Oslo Accords and the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement. The Israeli government transferred certain powers and responsibilities of self-government to the PNA, which are in effect in parts of the West Bank, and used to be effective in the Gaza Strip before its takeover by Hamas. The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, who since July 2007 has been Riyad Al-Maliki, is responsible for the foreign relations of the PNA. States maintain official relations with the PNA through offices in the Palestinian territories, and the representation of the PNA abroad is accomplished by the missions of the PLO, who represents it there.
Both the PLO (representing itself, the State of Palestine, or the PNA) and the PNA now maintain an extensive network of diplomatic relations,{{Cite book|author = Taylor & Francis Group|title = Europa World Year Book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gP_-8rXzQs8C&pg=PA3325|publisher = Europa Publications|year = 2004|page = 3325|isbn = 978-1-85743-255-8}} and participate in multiple international organisations with status of member state, observer, associate, or affiliate. The designation "Palestine", adopted in 1988 by the UN for the PLO,{{UN document|docid=A-RES-43-177|type=Resolution|body=General Assembly|session=43|resolution_number=177 |accessdate=1 February 2011|date=15 December 1988}} is currently also used as reference to the PNA and the State of Palestine by states and international organisations, in many cases regardless of the level of recognition and relations they have with any of these entities.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which maintain diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine by date:
Bilateral relations
{{See also|International recognition of the State of Palestine}}
{{Further|List of diplomatic missions in Palestine|List of diplomatic missions of the State of Palestine}}
The Palestine Liberation Organization maintains a network of missions and embassies,{{Cite web|author=Stiftung, Konrad Adenauer|title=Palestine Liberation Organization (structure)|url=http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_2041-1442-1-30.pdf?101018163243|publisher=Auslandsbüro Palästinensische Autonomiegebiete|date=August 2010|access-date=29 January 2011}} and represents the Palestinian National Authority abroad.{{Cite book |last1=Brownlie |first1=Ian |title=The reality of international law: essays in honour of Ian Brownlie |last2=Goodwin-Gill |first2=Guy S. |last3=Talmon |first3=Stefan |last4=Jennings |first4=Robert |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-19-826837-6 |edition=Illustrated, reprint |page=121}}: "The PLO, which has been recognized to possess an independent international personality as representative of the Palestinian people, has been delegated the power to act on behalf of the PA in the international arena with regard to specific substantive areas." Most of the {{numrec|PAL||states that have recognised the State of Palestine}} have elevated the Palestinian representation in their country to the status of embassy.Talmon, 1998, p. 158, footnote #236: "It is of interest to note that most States that have recognized the 'State of Palestine' after its proclamation on 15 Nov. 1988 have elevated the PLO office in their country to the status of embassy." A number of other states have granted some form of diplomatic status to a PLO delegation, falling short of full diplomatic recognition. In some cases, as a matter of courtesy, these delegations and missions have been granted diplomatic privileges, and are often referred to as "embassies" with their heads as "ambassadors".{{Cite press release |author=Government of Ireland |title=Press statement on upgrade of relations |url=http://www.gdp.ie/pdf/Press%20Statemnt%20upgrade%20relation%2026_01_2011.pdf |access-date=29 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721124258/http://www.gdp.ie/pdf/Press%20Statemnt%20upgrade%20relation%2026_01_2011.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 |df=dmy-all}} "The Irish government has upgraded the status of the General Delegation of Palestine in Ireland to the Mission of Palestine, headed by an Ambassador."
In the United States, an unofficial PLO information office was established in New York in 1964 and run by Sadat Hassan, who served as Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations.{{cite web| url=https://aad.archives.gov/aad/createpdf?rid=19137&dt=2472&dl=1345 | title=WFP/Cameroon - Drought Relief | publisher=aad.archives.gov | date=30 August 1973 | access-date=24 July 2020}} The Palestine Information Office was then registered with the Justice Department as a foreign agent and operated until 1968, when it was closed. The PLO was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 1987,U.S. Code [https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/5201 – Title 22 – Chapter 61 – § 5201. Findings; determinations], Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. Retrieved 5 December 2006.[http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/22C61.txt 22 USC Chapter 61 – Anti-Terrorism – PLO] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428004724/http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/22C61.txt |date=28 April 2013 }}, Office of the Law Revision Counsel (United States). Retrieved 5 December 2006. but in 1988 a presidential waiver was issued which permitted contact with the organization.{{Cite web |url=http://eufunding.org.uk/terror/FundingEvil.pdf |title=Funding Evil, How Terrorism Is Financed – and How to Stop It By Rachel Ehrenfeld |access-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025623/http://eufunding.org.uk/terror/FundingEvil.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} A PLO office was reopened in 1989 as the Palestine Affairs Center.The Palestinian Diaspora: Formation of Identities and Politics of Homeland, By Helena Lindholm Schulz, Juliane Hammer, Routledge, 2003 p. 81 The PLO Mission office, in Washington, D.C., was opened in 1994, and represented the PLO in the United States. On 20 July 2010, the United States Department of State agreed to upgrade the status of the PLO Mission in the United States to "General Delegation of the PLO".{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-upgrades-status-of-palestinian-mission-in-washington-1.303475|title=U.S. upgrades status of Palestinian mission in Washington|date=22 July 2010|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=21 February 2015}}
Participation in international organisations
The State of Palestine is represented in various international organizations as member, associate or observer.
= Arab League =
In 1964, the first summit of the League of Arab States, held in Cairo in January, resulted in a mandate for the creation of a Palestinian entity.{{Cite book
| last = El-Abed
| first = Oroub
| title = Unprotected: Palestinian in Egypt since 1948
| publisher = Institute for Palestine Studies, International Development Research Centre
| year = 2009
| page = xix
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LrT5NtYyyA4C
| isbn = 978-1-55250-443-7}}{{Cite book
| last = Dasgupta
| first = Punyapriya
| title = Cheated by the world: the Palestinian experience
| publisher = Orient Longman Limited
| year = 1988
| location = New Delhi
| page = 161
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YK0hyvXVOHkC
| isbn = 0-86131-827-7
}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Subsequently, in May, the Palestine Liberation Organization was established during a meeting of the Palestinian National Congress in Arab-controlled Jerusalem.{{Cite book
| last = Shemesh
| first = Moshe
| title = Arab politics, Palestinian nationalism and the Six Day War
| publisher = Sussex Academic Press
| year = 2008
| page = xvi
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4u-ZheMnqf8C
| isbn = 978-1-84519-188-7}} The organisation's establishment was formally approved at the Arab League's second summit, held in Alexandria in October.Sela, Avraham. "Arab Summit Conferences." The Continuum Political Encyclopedia of the Middle East. Ed. Sela. New York: Continuum, 2002. pp. 158–160 The PLO was granted full membership in 1976.{{cite web|url=http://www.arableagueonline.org/las/arabic/details_ar.jsp?art_id=3349&level_id=61 |title=Charter of Arab League |work=Arab League – جامعة الدول العربية |access-date=21 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807075753/http://www.arableagueonline.org/las/arabic/details_ar.jsp?art_id=3349&level_id=61 |archive-date= 7 August 2011 }} Its seat was assumed by the State of Palestine following the declaration of independence in 1988.{{specify|date=January 2011}}
A meeting between the Palestinian Authority and ministers from Arab countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, was scheduled for May 2025 in Ramallah. However, Israel blocked the meeting, claiming it incited the establishment of a Palestinian state. In response, Arab foreign ministers condemned Israel's decision. Travel to Palestine from Jordan, whether by land or air, requires Israeli permission.{{cite web |title=Arab ministers condemn Israel’s ‘ban’ on planned West Bank visit |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/31/israel-blocks-planned-occupied-west-bank-visit-by-arab-foreign-ministers |website=aljazeera}}
= Organisation of Islamic Cooperation =
The PLO was accorded full membership in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC; now named Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) in 1969;{{Cite web|author=Organisation of the Islamic Conference|title=Member States|url=http://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en|access-date=28 January 2011|archive-date=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609063319/http://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en|url-status=dead}} it attended the founding conference, held in Rabat in September 1969, as an observer.{{Cite web|author=Organisation of the Islamic Conference|title=First Islamic Summit Conference|url=http://www.oic-oci.org/english/conf/is/1/DecReport-1st%20IS.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014110926/http://www.oic-oci.org/english/conf/is/1/DecReport-1st%20IS.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 October 2006|date=25 September 1969|access-date=30 May 2011}} Its seat was assumed by the State of Palestine following the declaration of independence in 1988.{{specify|date=January 2011}} It is also a member of the Islamic Development Bank, an international financial institution for member states of the OIC.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oic-un.org/about_oic.asp#Members|title=OIC Member States|publisher=Permanent Mission of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna|access-date=30 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090311025453/http://www.oic-un.org/about_oic.asp#Members|archive-date=11 March 2009|df=dmy-all}}Taylor & Francis group and Lucy Dean, 2003, p. 1328.
= Status at the United Nations =
{{Further|Palestine and the United Nations|International recognition of the State of Palestine|State of Palestine}}
File:Palestine recognition only.svg
The Palestine National Council (PNC) sent formal notification to the U.N. Secretary-General regarding the establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in May 1964. The following year in October, some Arab states requested that a PLO delegation be allowed to attend meetings of the Special Political Committee, and it was decided that they could present a statement, without implying recognition. PLO participation in the discussions of the Committee took place under the agenda item of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from 1963 to 1973.{{cite web|title=Status of Palestine at the United Nations|url=http://www.un.int/palestine/status.shtml|publisher=Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations – New York|access-date=28 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711144925/http://www.un.int/palestine//status.shtml|archive-date=11 July 2009|df=dmy-all}}
The Palestine Liberation Organization was granted observer status at the United Nations General Assembly in 1974 through General Assembly Resolution 3237. In the UNGA's regional groupings, the PLO gained full membership in the Group of Asian states on 2 April 1986.{{#tag:ref||group="note"|name="unrg"}} Acknowledging the proclamation of the State of Palestine,{{Cite web|author1=United Nations |author2=General Assembly |title=43/177: Question of Palestine |url=https://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/146E6838D505833F852560D600471E25 |publisher=United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine |date=15 December 1988 |access-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101093630/http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/146E6838D505833F852560D600471E25 |archive-date=1 November 2011 |df=dmy }} the UN re-designated this observer to be referred to as "Palestine" in 1988 (General Assembly Resolution 43/177) and affirmed "the need to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their sovereignty over their territory occupied since 1967".{{Cite book|author=Hillier, Tim|title=Sourcebook on public international law|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ukWq9mMUeesC|year=1998|publisher=Routledge|pages=128, 218|isbn=978-1-85941-050-9}} In July 1998, the General Assembly adopted a new Resolution (52/250) conferring upon Palestine additional rights and privileges, including the right to participate in the general debate held at the start of each session of the General Assembly, the right of reply, the right to co-sponsor resolutions and the right to raise points of order on Palestinian and Middle East issues.{{Cite book|author1=Mango, Anthony |author2=Osmańczyk, Edmund |title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and international agreements|volume=4|year=2003|publisher=Routledge|page=1741|isbn=978-0-415-93924-9}} By this resolution, "seating for Palestine shall be arranged immediately after non-member States and before the other observers." This Resolution was adopted by a vote of 124 in favour, 4 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, United States) and 10 abstentions.{{UN document|docid=A-RES-52-250|type=Resolution|body=General Assembly|session=52|resolution_number=250|accessdate=21 September 2010|date=July 1998}}{{Cite book|author=Silverburg, Stanford R.|title=Palestine and international law: essays on politics and economics|publisher=McFarland|year=2002|page=292|isbn=978-0-7864-1191-7}}
Since 2011, Palestinian diplomacy has been centred around the Palestine 194 campaign, which aims to gain membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations at its 66th Session in September 2011. It seeks to effectively gain collective recognition for a Palestinian state based on the borders prior to the Six-Day War, with East Jerusalem as its capital. In September 2012, the Palestine Liberation Organization submitted a draft resolution according non-member observer state status to Palestine,{{cite web|title=Palestine to seek UN non-Member State status, Abbas tells General Assembly debate |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2012/09/421502|work=UN News Centre|date=27 September 2012}}{{cite news|last=MacAskill|first=Ewen|title=UN appears set to upgrade Palestine status in face of US-Israeli opposition|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/29/united-nations-palestine-statehood-vote|access-date=29 November 2012|newspaper=Guardian|date=29 November 2012|location=London}} which the General Assembly approved on 29 November 2012.{{cite web |title=A/67/L.28 of 26 November 2012 and A/RES/67/19 of 29 November 2012 |url=https://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/0080ef30efce525585256c38006eacae/181c72112f4d0e0685257ac500515c6c?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210160010/http://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/0080ef30efce525585256c38006eacae/181c72112f4d0e0685257ac500515c6c?OpenDocument |archive-date=10 December 2012 |access-date=2 December 2012 |publisher=Unispal.un.org |df=dmy}}: "the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, in accordance with a decision by the Palestine National Council, is entrusted with the powers and responsibilities of the Provisional Government of the State of Palestine." The change in status was described by The Independent as "de facto recognition of the sovereign State of Palestine".{{cite news |title=Israel defies UN after vote on Palestine with plans for 3,000 new homes in the West Bank|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-defies-un-after-vote-on-palestine-with-plans-for-3000-new-homes-in-the-west-bank-8372494.html|work=The Independent|date=1 December 2012}}
The vote was a historic benchmark for the sovereign State of Palestine and its citizens, whilst it was a diplomatic setback for Israel and the United States. Status as an observer state in the UN will allow the State of Palestine to join treaties and specialised UN agencies, such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation,{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/state-of-palestine_n_2425682.html|title=State Of Palestine: Palestinians Change Name, Won't Rush To Issue New Passports|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=21 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011202654/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/state-of-palestine_n_2425682.html|archive-date=11 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} the Law of the Seas Treaty and the International Criminal Court. It shall permit Palestine to claim legal rights over its territorial waters and air space as a sovereign state recognised by the UN. It shall also provide the citizens of Palestine with the right to sue for control of their territory in the International Court of Justice and with the legal right to bring war-crimes charges, mainly those relating to the unlawful Israeli occupation of the State of Palestine, against Israel in the International Criminal Court.{{cite web|url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazines/32-political-platform/28464-palestine-threatens-to-sue-israel-at-icc.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418225647/http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazines/32-political-platform/28464-palestine-threatens-to-sue-israel-at-icc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2013 |title=Palestine threatens to sue Israel at ICC |date=30 January 2013 |access-date=10 February 2013 }}
After Palestine was granted UN observer status, the UN authorised the PLO to title its representative office to the UN as 'The Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations',{{cite web|url=http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/ |title=United Nations |access-date=21 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131073609/http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/palestine/ |archive-date=31 January 2013 |df=dmy }} and Palestine re-titled its name accordingly on postal stamps, official documents and passports,{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/01/2013186722389860.html|title=Palestine: What is in a name (change)?|author=Inside Story|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321061622/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/01/2013186722389860.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/palestinian-authority-officially-changes-name-to-state-of-palestine.premium-1.492065|title=Palestinian Authority officially changes name to 'State of Palestine'|date=5 January 2013|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=21 February 2015}} whilst it has instructed its diplomats to officially represent 'The State of Palestine', as opposed to the 'Palestine National Authority'. Additionally, on 17 December 2012, UN Chief of Protocol Yeocheol Yoon decided that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents",{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/20/u-n-adds-new-name-state-of-palestine.html|title=U.N. Adds New Name: 'State of Palestine'|last=Gharib |first=Ali|date=20 December 2012|access-date=10 January 2013|newspaper=The Daily Beast}} thus recognising the PLO-proclaimed State of Palestine as being sovereign over the territories of Palestine and its citizens under international law.
;
= International Criminal Court =
On 13 June 2014, the State of Palestine became a party to the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague; the State of Palestine acceded to the Rome Statute on 2 January 2015.{{Cite web |title=State of Palestine {{!}} International Criminal Court |url=https://asp.icc-cpi.int/states-parties/asian-states/Palestine |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=asp.icc-cpi.int}}
Before the United Nations General Assembly voting in September 2012, the Palestinian Authority had tried to become a party to the Rome Statute and therefore recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009 and again in April 2012."International arenas are routinely hijacked for political purposes, but today's decision was markedly different," said Anne Herzberg, legal adviser for NGO Monitor. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/international-criminal-court-prosecutor-rejects-palestinian-attempt-to-recognize-jurisdiction/2012/04/03/gIQAalA4sS_story.html International Criminal Court prosecutor rejects Palestinian attempt to recognize jurisdiction]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web |author=ABC News |title=International News – World News – ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/prosecutor-rejects-palestinian-recognition-icc-16061773 |access-date=21 February 2015 |work=ABC News}} According to The Jerusalem Post, "had the ICC accepted the PA's recognition of its jurisdiction, it would have also tacitly accepted its statehood."{{cite web |title=ICC: No Cast Lead probe as Palestinian Authority not a state – Diplomacy & Politics – Jerusalem Post |url=http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=264638 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031141642/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=264638 |archive-date=31 October 2012 |access-date=21 February 2015 |work=The Jerusalem Post – JPost.com |df=dmy-all}}
= International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent (ICRC) =
In June 2006, a decision by the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent admitted the Palestine Red Crescent Society as a full member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
= Geneva Conventions =
The State of Palestine has been a full member of the Geneva Conventions since 2 April 2014.
In 1989, just one year after the proclamation of the State of Palestine, the Palestine Liberation Organization had tried to accede to the Geneva Conventions back in 1989, but Switzerland, as the depositary state, had stated that because the question of Palestinian statehood had not been settled within the international community, it was incapable of recognising Palestine as a "power" that could accede to the Conventions.{{Cite journal |author=Quigley, John |year=2009 |title=The Palestine Declaration to the International Criminal Court: The Statehood Issue |url=http://lawrecord.com/files/35_Rutgers_L_Rec_1.pdf |journal=Rutgers Law Record |location=Newark |publisher=Rutgers School of Law |volume=35 |access-date=21 November 2010}}
= FIFA, IOC (International Olympic Committee) and IPC (International Paralympic Committee) =
The State of Palestine is a full member of the International Olympic Committee,{{Cite web |title=International Olympic Committee – Palestine |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/palestine}} of the International Paralympic Committee,{{Cite web |title=Palestine |url=https://www.paralympic.org/palestine |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=International Paralympic Committee |language=en}} and of FIFA.{{Cite web |title=FIFA |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/origin1904-p.cxm.fifa.com/en/about-fifa/associations/PLE |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.fifa.com |language=en}}
= International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) =
On 28 September 2023, a majority of the members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved a proposal for the State of Palestine to be recognized, with that name, as an observer state to the Agency.{{refn|Palestine Liberation Organization originally granted observer status by the IAEA on 23 September 1976.{{cite web|url=https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc/gc20res-334_en.pdf|title=Invitation to Attend the Sessions of the General Conference in the Capacity of an Observer |date=1976-09-24|accessdate=2023-10-10|publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency}} Designation changed to "Palestine" on 29 September 1989,{{cite web|url=https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc/gc33dec-16_en.pdf|title=Participation of Palestine in the Activities of the IAEA|date=1989-09-29|accessdate=2023-10-10|publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency}} and "State of Palestine" on 28 September 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gc/gc67-res14.pdf|title=Status of Palestine in the IAEA|date=2023-09-28|accessdate=2023-10-10|publisher=International Atomic Energy Agency}}|name=App|group=Note}}
= World Health Organization (WHO) =
The PLO currently holds observer status at the World Health Organization (WHO). It had applied for full membership status as far back as 1989, when the United States, which provided one-quarter of the WHO's funding at the time, informed the WHO that its funding would be withheld if Palestine was admitted as a member state. Yasser Arafat described the U.S. statement as "blackmail". The PLO was asked to withdraw its application by the WHO director general. The WHO subsequently voted to postpone consideration of the application and no decision on the application has been made yet. John Quigley writes that Palestine's efforts to gain membership in several international organisations connected to the United Nations was frustrated by U.S. threats to withhold funding from any organisation that admitted Palestine.Quigley, 1990, p. 231. On 31 October 2011, following the admission of Palestine to UNESCO, the Minister of Health Fathi Abu Moghli announced that the PNA would then seek membership at the WHO;{{cite web |title=Palestine News & Info Agency – WAFA – Palestine to Apply for Full Membership in WHO, Says Minister of Health |url=http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=17922 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711141231/http://english.wafa.ps/index.php?action=detail&id=17922 |archive-date=11 July 2012 |access-date=21 February 2015 |df=dmy}} however, following reports that that would lead to the defunding of the entire organization by the United States – as the US had done to UNESCO after it admitted Palestine –, the Palestinian government announced that they would not be seeking membership at WHO at the time.{{Cite web |author=Staff writers |date=4 November 2011 |title=Al-Malki: Palestine will not apply to other UN bodies |url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=435007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112181955/http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=435007 |archive-date=12 November 2011 |access-date=5 November 2011 |publisher=Ma'an News Agency}} As of 2023, the WHO still refers to the territories claimed by the State of Palestine – the West Bank and Gaza – as "the Occupied Palestinian Territory".
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= World Trade Organization (WTO) =
In 2022, the State of Palestine was allowed to participate, as an observer state and under the name "Palestine", of the World Trade Organization's twelfth Ministerial Conference, held in Geneva, Switzerland.{{Cite web |title=World Trade Organization (WTO) – Ministerial Conference – Twelfth Session |url=https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/minist_e/mc12_e/statements/ST55.pdf}}
International treaties and conventions
The Palestine Liberation Organization, representing the Palestinian National Authority, participates in trade liberalisation:
The Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian National Authority are jointly{{#tag:ref|Palestine was accorded membership in ESCWA pursuant to ECOSOC Resolution 2089 (LXIII) dated 22 July 1977. Full powers for the signature of the Agreements were issued by the leaders of the PLO and the PNA.{{Cite web|author=United Nations|title=Historical Information|url=http://treaties.un.org/pages/HistoricalInfo.aspx|publisher=Office of Legal Affairs; United Nations Publications|year=2010|access-date=20 November 2010}}|group="note"}} accepted as party to the international agreements in the Arab Mashreq:
Notes
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References
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Bibliography
- {{Cite book|last1=Fowler |first1=Michael |last2=Bunck |first2=Julie Marie |title=Law, Power, and the Sovereign State: The Evolution and Application of the Concept of Sovereignty |publisher=Penn State Press |year=1995 |isbn=0-271-01471-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oAp_97VvpMIC&q=%22recognized+the+state+of+palestine%22&pg=PA59}}
- {{cite book |last1=Hirschberger |first1=Bernd |title=External Communication in Social Media During Asymmetric Conflicts A Theoretical Model and Empirical Case Study of the Conflict in Israel and Palestine |date=2021 |publisher=transcript Verlag |location=Bielefeld |isbn=978-3-8394-5509-8 |url=https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-5509-4/external-communication-in-social-media-during-asymmetric-conflicts/?number=978-3-8394-5509-8 |access-date=11 October 2021}}
- {{Cite book|last=Quigley |first=John |title=Palestine and Israel: A Challenge to Justice |publisher=Duke University Press |year=1990 |isbn= 0-8223-1023-6 |url= https://archive.org/details/palestineisrael00john|url-access=registration }}
- {{Cite book|last=Takkenberg |first=Alex |title=The Status of Palestinian Refugees in International Law |edition=Illustrated |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-826590-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X78ASGL7q0UC }}
- {{cite book|last=Talmon |first=Stefan |title=Recognition of Governments in International Law: With Particular Reference to Governments in Exile |edition=Illustrated |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-826573-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=scc8EboiJX8C&q=%22recognized+the+state+of+palestine%22&pg=PA158}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.mofa.gov.ps/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805011339/http://www.mofa.gov.ps/ |date=5 August 2010 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140106060317/http://www.enpi-info.eu/countrymed.php?country=10 EU Neighbourhood Info Centre: Country profile of Palestine]
{{Foreign relations of Palestine}}
{{Foreign relations of states with limited recognition}}
{{Asia topic|Foreign relations of}}
{{Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people}}