The development of the Palestinian’s diplomatic corps has gone through several stages. Before the Oslo Accords, foreign relations were managed by the Political Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In 2005, the Law of Diplomatic Corps No. (13) Of 2005 was issued. In its preamble, the law emphasized that: "The Palestinian Legislative Council’s adoption of the Palestinian Diplomatic Corps Law does not constitute an infringement or a derogation from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and the frame of reference of the Palestinian National Authority, as stipulated in the preamble of the Palestinian Basic Law. The Palestinian Legislative Council approves this law in an expression of its belief in the need for organizing Palestinian diplomatic work, its anticipation of establishing the future of Palestinian national work, and its awareness of the reality of the complete transformation towards an independent a sovereign Palestinian state on the 4th of June 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Based on this law—particularly Article 3—the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became the authority responsible for overseeing all diplomatic missions, politically, administratively, and financially. This includes appointments and transfers, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The only exception is the appointment of ambassadors: in this case, the role of the Minister of Foreign Affairs is limited to making recommendations, while the President makes the final appointment, in accordance with Article 7 of the law.
On 15 April 2025, President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decision appointing Mr. Hussein Al-Sheikh as the head of the Embassies Committee, which had originally been established on 16 April 2023, by a decision to form the Embassies Committee, a decision that, to date has not been published in the official Gazette. The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) affirms that both the appointment decision and the original decision that established the committee are in contravention with the Palestinian Diplomatic Corps Law No. (13) Of 2005. According to Articles 7 and 10 of that law, forming the Diplomatic Corps Committee and appointing all diplomatic staff—excluding ambassadors—lies within the mandate of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, the decision also contravenes the Amended Basic Law of 2003, which clearly defines the President’s powers. In this context, those powers are limited to what Article 40 provides: “The President of the Palestinian National Authority shall appoint and terminate the assignments of the Authority’s representatives to foreign states, international organizations, and foreign entities, and shall accredit the representatives of these parties to the Palestinian National Authority”.
AMAN Coalition believes that the decision to form the Embassies Committee and appoint a head other than the Minister of Foreign Affairs, mandated to form the Committee, constitutes a clear violation of the applicable Diplomatic Corps Law. It also undermines the role and constitutional powers of the constitutional government. This move reflects a continued approach by the political authority of disregarding Palestinian legislation in force, particularly the Amended Basic Law, which serves as the Palestinian constitution. Such actions show a troubling disregard for the principle of the rule of law and integrity in governance, amid the absence of the Palestinian Legislative Council and amid the weakness of judicial oversight bodies, particularly the constitutional ones.
Accordingly, AMAN calls for an immediate halt to the issuance of such decisions that violate existing laws—most importantly, the Palestinian Basic Law.
