Palestine Eyes Wider Global Recognition With A BRICS Membership: How Entry In The Bloc Could Benefit It

Amid widespread recognition of the Palestinian state, it is now eyeing to become a part of the BRICS grouping. Palestine has formally applied for membership in the BRICS amid a wave of fresh international recognitions of Palestinian statehood. The move was confirmed by Palestine’s Ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, on Friday (September 26, 2025).

Palestine’s BRIC membership application comes at a moment when growing numbers of countries are acknowledging Palestine as a state, strengthening its diplomatic standing. Canada, Australia, Portugal and the United Kingdom are among the nations that extended recognition just this week.

Has BRICS responded to Palestine’s application?

No formal response has been issued yet. Ambassador Nofal said Palestine is willing to initially participate as a guest until the bloc decides on full membership. “We have submitted an application… I believe Palestine will participate in the association as a guest until the conditions allow it to become a full member. We haven’t received a response yet,” he told Russian media.

What is the current shape of BRICS?

BRICS began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It has rapidly expanded, admitting Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates in 2024, followed by Indonesia in 2025. The grouping now represents a significant share of the world’s population, energy resources and development financing.

Beijing has signaled openness to Palestine becoming a member of the influential grouping. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun welcomed the idea of additional “like-minded partners” joining BRICS. He described the bloc as a “source of strong impetus” for multipolarity and a more democratic international system.

Why a BRICS membership would matter for Palestine?

For Palestine, inclusion in BRICS, even as an observer or guest, would mean a lot of things which could benefit it in several of the following ways:

• Elevate its international legitimacy beyond Western-led institutions.

• Align it with emerging powers advocating multipolarity and reform of global governance.

• Provide access to new diplomatic, economic and development platforms.

• Counterbalance Israeli and Western opposition to full U.N. membership.

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently calling the idea of a Palestinian state “national suicide” for Israel, Ramallah is seeking broader geopolitical support through non-Western coalitions.

What does Palestine’s growing global recognition signal?

The recent recognition by Canada, Australia, Portugal and the UK reflects a shift in Western political calculations. These decisions add to a list of over 140 countries that already recognise Palestine and could influence debates at the UN, International Criminal Court and multilateral forums.

The BRICS bid is both symbolic and strategic, part of a wider push by Palestinian leadership to embed itself in emerging power blocs rather than rely solely on stalled Western-led peace frameworks.