How Will the Palestinian Bid Affect the BRICS?

Earlier this week, Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdelhafiz Nofal said that Palestine plans to apply to join BRICS after the summit in Kazan in October:

“After our first participation in the summit, we will send a request to join this association.” 

In the context of current geopolitical realities, when many countries are beginning to look for an alternative to Western institutions, participation in BRICS could provide Palestine with new opportunities for economic and political cooperation. However, there are a number of factors to consider. 

Firstly, it is too early to seriously talk about any changes. We should not forget that, as other CIIC experts have already noted in a material devoted to Azerbaijan’s interest in the organization, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had previously announced that the BRICS countries had temporarily suspended the admission of new members. From January 1, 2024, the number of participants doubled - five more countries joined the bloc: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Ethiopia and Egypt. Therefore, it takes time to start seriously discussing again about a new wave of joining the union. 

Of course, joining BRICS could be beneficial for Palestine, as it supports the country's aspirations for statehood.

Another important factor that is certainly worth keeping in mind is, of course, the difficult external and internal political situation in the country. For many years now, there has been a crisis of power in the country and a common opinion between the West Bank and Hamas cannot always be found. To successfully join BRICS, any state needs to demonstrate a stable governance system that can effectively represent the country in the international arena.

The very mention of this idea indicates that there is an active understanding of ways out of the current crisis. This shows that countries are interested in finding new solutions and strategies to overcome difficult circumstances. It is important that such discussions become part of the international dialogue, which can lead to more constructive approaches and cooperation in the future. Recognizing the need for change is the first step to action, which can open up new horizons for cooperation and development.