Mexico Reaffirms Diplomatic Ties with Palestine

On March 18, President Claudia Sheinbaum received the credentials of 23 ambassadors at the National Palace, including the one to her Excellency Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Nadya Rasheed. With this act, Rasheed formalized her accreditation as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Palestine in Mexico.

The Palestinian Embassy in Mexico celebrated this event, highlighting its significance in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Through its social media channels, the embassy emphasized the symbolism of a Palestinian woman presenting her credentials to Mexico’s first female president, underscoring the fundamental role of women in diplomacy and the fight for a more just future.

Days before the ceremony at the National Palace, Ambassador Rasheed visited the Mexican Senate, where she met with Gerardo Fernández Noroña, President of the Board of Directors. During the meeting, Fernández expressed his hope that Palestine and Israel would reach an agreement through dialogue to end hostilities in the region and promote mutual recognition and respect between both nations.

Fernández reaffirmed Mexico’s stance in favor of a two-state solution and the right to self-determination. He also expressed support for humanitarian organizations operating in the region and stressed the importance of the Palestinian ambassador engaging in dialogue with the Senate’s Foreign Relations and Asia-Pacific Foreign Relations Committees.

History of Mexico-Palestine Relations

Diplomatic relations between Mexico and Palestine date back to 1975 when then-President Luis Echeverría Álvarez met with Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in Egypt. Later, in 1995, Mexico elevated the status of the Palestinian representation to a Special Delegation. In 2013, for the first time, a Palestinian representative formally presented their credentials to the Mexican government.

On the multilateral stage, Mexico has consistently supported human rights in Palestine, condemning the demolition of Palestinian homes and backing international initiatives that promote peace in the region. In 2012, Mexico voted in favor of Palestine’s admission as a non-member observer state at the United Nations.

Trade and Technical Cooperation Between Mexico and Palestine

The strengthening of bilateral relations has also been reflected in technical cooperation and trade. In April 2024, Mexico and Palestine signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement in the agricultural sector, promoting production in arid areas, plant and animal health, and the optimization of food distribution systems, MBN reported.

In April 2024, Mexico participated in the UN Security Council debate on the Middle East, urging a permanent ceasefire and condemning attacks on civilians and humanitarian personnel. Mexican UN Ambassador Héctor Vasconcelos reaffirmed Mexico’s support for a two-state solution that ensures Israel’s security and establishes a viable Palestinian state within recognized borders. Given the stalled peace process, he also reiterated Mexico’s backing for Palestine’s full UN membership.

In commercial terms, the agri-food and fisheries trade balance between Mexico and Palestine recorded a surplus of US$121,000 in 2020. Key Mexican exports to Palestine include bell peppers, chickpeas, and bakery products, as previously reported by MBN. In 2023, according to Data Mexico, Mexican exports to Palestine reached US$622,000, mainly consisting of motor vehicles, with Mexico City, Nuevo Leon, and Chihuahua as the primary points of origin. Mexico has imported Palestinian products on a smaller scale, including metal accessories and electrical capacitors, with Jalisco and Mexico City as the main destinations.

Mexico’s Support for UNRWA

Mexico has supported the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), recognizing its essential role in providing humanitarian aid to nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. In June 2024, Mexico reaffirmed its commitment to the neutrality and inviolability of UNRWA, as well as its financial support to ensure the agency’s continued operations.

Mexico’s Position on the Palestinian Conflict

Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the country’s long-standing stance in favor of a comprehensive and definitive resolution to the conflict, based on the peaceful coexistence of two states within secure and internationally recognized borders. Additionally, Mexico has advocated for an end to hostilities and the adherence to international law.

In January 2024, Mexico and Chile asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate possible war crimes caused by the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Palestine. Israel criticized Mexico's announcement, arguing that it is acting in self-defense. Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated that despite the request to the ICC, Mexico remains neutral in the conflict, MBN reported.

Recently, in response to Israel’s violation of a ceasefire, the Mexican government expressed its concern via the Foreign Ministry’s official account on X, reaffirming its call for peace and stability in the region: “The Mexican Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expresses its deep concern over the violation of the ceasefire agreement and the resumption of hostilities in Gaza, which have resulted in over 400 civilian casualties, including women, girls, and boys. Mexico condemns the loss of innocent civilian lives and urgently calls for respect for international humanitarian law, a ceasefire that allows humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, the release of the remaining hostages, and the resumption of negotiations for lasting peace in the region.”