Palestinian Foreign Policy during the Period 2019-2024

Abstract

This study aims to examine Palestinian foreign policy during the period 2019–2024 by exploring how it managed multiple crises, beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the financial and economic crisis faced by the Palestinian Authority, and culminating in the repercussions of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023. It also analyzes the Palestinian government’s diplomatic strategies in dealing with regional initiatives, including the U.S. peace plan (the Deal of the Century), Arab–Israeli normalization, and the Abraham Accords. The study employed both the descriptive-analytical method and the foreign policy analysis approach, and utilized the interview tool through conducting several interviews with experts specialized in the subject matter. The study reached several key findings, most notably that the Palestinian government demonstrated proactive capacity and organizational flexibility in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic through early preventive measures, activation of the state of emergency, and the engagement of civil society, security apparatuses, and official media. Moreover, between 2019 and 2024, the government’s economic policies including productive cluster programs, austerity measures, and administrative as well as diplomatic reforms succeeded in strengthening resilience and maintaining a minimum level of financial and social stability. Externally, following October 7, Palestinian foreign policy exhibited a notable ability to maneuver by combining humanitarian and legal discourse with intensive diplomatic activity in international fora, which helped refocus global attention on the Palestinian cause despite Western bias toward Israel. Conversely, the wave of Arab–Israeli normalization, particularly the Abraham Accords, weakened the collective Arab position and reduced the Palestinian margin of diplomatic maneuvering, thereby intensifying Palestinian political isolation. Nevertheless, the Palestinian stance remained steadfast in upholding national principles and the rights of the Palestinian people by maintaining the legitimacy of its position through United Nations resolutions and international law reflecting a strategic resistance to U.S.–Israeli initiatives. In light of these findings, the study presents several recommendations, including the development of the Palestinian health infrastructure and the enhancement of hospital and healthcare center capacities through comprehensive emergency plans, securing medical equipment, and building local human resources. It also calls for continued strengthening of the national economy by supporting productive clusters and vital sectors, employing digital tools and flexible financing to reduce dependency on the occupation and improve crisis management capacity. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of promoting national unity and unifying political decision-making to formulate a cohesive diplomatic discourse and increase the effectiveness of the Palestinian position in international arenas. It recommends adopting a strategy that integrates intensive diplomatic engagement, legal advocacy, and digital media communication to enhance the global standing of the Palestinian cause.