NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENTMIDDLE EAST

Palestine

East Jerusalem (claimed) · Unitary transitional

UN OBSERVER STATE · NOT A FULL UN MEMBER

Overview

Palestine is a Middle East nation with a unitary transitional system, and its delegation approaches the United Nations as a recognized UN observer/partial participant. With a population of 5 million and an economy of roughly $20 billion, it carries interests shaped by its geography, history, and regional alignments. For MUN delegates, Palestine typically behaves as a pragmatic actor that frames issues through the lens of its national development and sovereignty. Understanding its blocs and negotiating style is essential to building coalitions in committee.

PRIME MINISTER

Palestine Head of State

FOREIGN MINISTER

Palestine Diplomat

UN AMBASSADOR

Palestine Representative

Quick Facts

CAPITALEast Jerusalem (claimed)

POPULATION5 million

GDP$20 billion

CURRENCYPalestinian Pound (circulating ILS/JOD)

GOVERNMENTUnitary transitional

LANGUAGESFrench and local languages

UN STATUSUN Observer State — not a full UN member

CAPITALEast Jerusalem (claimed)

POPULATION5 million

GDP$20 billion

CURRENCYPalestinian Pound (circulating ILS/JOD)

GOVERNMENTUnitary transitional

UN STATUSUN Observer State

REGIONMiddle East · Non-Aligned Movement

Government & Political System

Palestine operates a unitary transitional, with power distributed across its institutions and regular channels for national and middle east engagement.

Economy & Trade

The economy of Palestine is centred on industry and manufacturing, contributing to its standing of about $20 billion. Economic policy is closely tied to domestic stability. Delegates should note how economic priorities translate into the country's positions on development and trade agendas.

TRADE

Palestine trades primarily within its regional bloc, with Palestinian Pound (circulating ILS/JOD) as its currency. Trade policy is used as a means of diversification. In economic committees it generally favours strategic self-reliance.

Military & Defence

Palestine maintains a professional armed force focused on territorial defence. Defence spending reflects its unitary transitional priorities and its perception of external threats. In security debates it tends to support multilateral peacekeeping.

DEFENCE POSTURE

Defence posture centres on territorial defence. Palestine participates in regional security frameworks. It frames security debates around sustainable peace.

Geography

Palestine lies in Middle East, with East Jerusalem (claimed) as its capital. Its terrain and climate shape agricultural capacity and influence its foreign-policy choices. Geography also determines many of the environmental and development issues it raises in committee.

Foreign Policy

The foreign policy of Palestine rests on protecting national sovereignty. It engages multilaterally through the United Nations and regional bodies, often aligning with the Non-Aligned Movement grouping. Relations with neighbours and major powers are managed through institutional frameworks.

CURRENT PRIORITIES

Advancing Palestine's economic and development agenda
Strengthening Middle East regional cooperation
Protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity
Contributing to digital governance
Deepening ties within the Non-Aligned Movement bloc
Reforming multilateral institutions for fairer representation

Human Rights

Palestine's human-rights record is discussed in UN forums through the lens of its unitary transitional traditions and developmental context. It highlights progress on social and economic rights while engaging with international monitoring mechanisms. Delegates should present a balanced, constructive stance on rights issues.

Climate Policy

Palestine approaches climate policy through the principle of green growth. It links climate to development and frames the issue as both a challenge and an opportunity.

Treaties & Organisations

IMPORTANT TREATIES

Partial participation in specialised UN agenciesRegional cooperation frameworksObserver engagements at UN bodies

INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

Participation in specialised UN agenciesRegional cooperation bodiesInternational thematic organisations

Diplomatic Relations & Alliances

Palestine maintains diplomatic relations across the Global South and development partners. Its mission at the UN advances peace and stability through both public statements and behind-the-scenes negotiation.

ALLIES

BrazilIndonesiaa neighbouring state

RIVALS

a historical adversarya competing regional power

ALLIANCES & PARTNERSHIPS

BrazilIndonesiaregional partners

Timeline

1945
Founding of the United Nations
1991
Palestine intensifies multilateral engagement
2005
Key domestic reform shaping foreign policy
2019
Renewed focus on development
2026
Participates in JBCN MUN 2026

National Interests & Position

Protecting the sovereignty and development of Palestine
Securing Middle East stability and prosperity
Expanding climate finance
Strengthening the Non-Aligned Movement bloc
Promoting fair global governance
Safeguarding its citizens and diaspora abroad

POSITION SUMMARY

Palestine generally advocates for rules-based order while defending its concrete national interests. It aligns closely with the Non-Aligned Movement grouping and bridges Global South and Western positions. Delegates should expect it to favour consensus.

MUN Strategy

COMMITTEE RELEVANCE

General Assembly on development
ECOSOC on sustainable development
DISEC on security
regional bodies on trade

POSSIBLE DEBATE ANGLES

Middle East perspectives on sovereignty vs intervention
Climate justice and finance
Reform of global financial institutions
Development before stringent trade mandates
Palestine's role in the Non-Aligned Movement bloc
Peacebuilding and prevention

BLOC ALIGNMENT

Palestine anchors the Non-Aligned Movement bloc and coordinates with its members on procedure and substance. It frequently aligns with the Global South. Its voting reflects a consistent prioritisation of regional solidarity.

TYPICAL VOTING BEHAVIOUR

In the General Assembly Palestine balances bloc loyalty with issue-specific pragmatism. It rarely uses confrontation. Its positions are predictable once its Non-Aligned Movement alignment is understood.

SPEAKING TIPS

Open by stating Palestine and the exact agenda item
Anchor arguments in development
Quote a real treaty or UN document Palestine supports
Signal your Non-Aligned Movement alignment and likely allies
End with a constructive, coalition-building call

NEGOTIATION STRATEGY

Palestine negotiates as a pragmatic broker, using regional leverage to build majorities. It prefers pre-circulated text over surprise motions.

THINGS TO AVOID SAYING

Anything implying it accepts a historical adversary dominance

Criticising its unitary transitional in committee

Promising binding action beyond its mandate

Conceding core sovereignty positions

Alienating the Non-Aligned Movement bloc publicly

SAMPLE GSL POINTS

Reaffirm Palestine's core position on the agenda
Cite a treaty or UN document it upholds
Propose a concrete, implementable step
Highlight a Middle East perspective often overlooked
Invite the Non-Aligned Movement bloc and swing states to caucus
Link the issue to the Sustainable Development Goals

Sample Opening Speech

Mr./Madam Chair, fellow delegates, The delegation of Palestine is pleased to address this committee on a matter of urgent global concern. As a Middle East nation, Palestine believes that durable solutions must respect sovereignty. We bring to this debate a commitment to practical cooperation. We stand with the Non-Aligned Movement bloc in seeking outcomes that are grounded in international law. Palestine looks forward to constructive engagement with all delegations and to forging a consensus that serves not only our region but the wider membership. Thank you.

Research Sources

CIA World Factbook
UN official records and voting data
World Bank data
Palestine Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Britannica country profile
UN Treaty Collection

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Allied profiles: Brazil, Indonesia

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