Relationship dossier
Palestine
United States
Relationship assessment
Practical engagement persists amid deep disputes over Jerusalem, Palestinian statehood, and U.S. support for Israel.
Palestine toward United States
-10Palestinian Authority leaders have engaged in U.S.-sponsored diplomatic initiatives and security cooperation, while condemning U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and other policies they regard as prejudicial to Palestinian statehood.
United States toward Palestine
-35The United States has provided assistance to Palestinians and supported a negotiated two-state solution, but recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, moved its embassy there, and opposed Palestinian efforts for full United Nations membership. These policies have repeatedly strained relations with Palestinian leaders.
Overall relationship
-25The enduring relationship combines U.S. assistance and diplomatic engagement with a major structural conflict: U.S. support for Israel and decisions concerning Jerusalem and Palestinian statehood have repeatedly clashed with Palestinian political objectives. Palestinian participation in U.S.-backed initiatives has not resolved those disputes.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Palestinian Authority leaders have engaged with successive U.S. administrations and participated in U.S.-backed diplomatic and security initiatives, while strongly opposing major U.S. decisions on Jerusalem and Palestinian statehood. U.S. policy has combined assistance to Palestinians and support for a negotiated two-state solution with close support for Israel and actions that Palestinian leaders view as undermining their claims. The relationship has therefore included practical engagement alongside persistent political conflict.
Areas of tension
- U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocation of its embassy there
- U.S. opposition to Palestinian efforts for full United Nations membership
- U.S. support for Israel amid Palestinian claims to statehood and territory
Key developments
The United States recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and announced the relocation of its embassy there.
The United States moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and continuity of Palestinian Authority security cooperation with U.S. agencies are unclear.
- The scope and implementation of U.S. assistance and diplomatic engagement with Palestinian institutions have varied across administrations.