Palestine has formally requested to join the BRICS group, an initiative aimed at consolidating its standing on the global stage. BRICS, a consortium of the world’s prominent emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is actively expanding its membership.
Palestinian Ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, has indicated that Palestine is considering an initial phase as a guest member before achieving full membership status. Nofal stated to Russian media that the plan involves commencing as a guest member and subsequently progressing to full membership.
BRICS, initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has experienced considerable growth. In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were welcomed, followed by Indonesia in 2025. Presently, Palestine, alongside other nations, is expressing interest in joining BRICS.
China has offered its support for Palestine’s application. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jianqun remarked in Beijing that BRICS serves as a critical platform for cooperation among emerging and developing economies. Furthermore, it champions democracy in international affairs. China welcomes like-minded nations to join BRICS. This stance is seen as a diplomatic boost for Palestine. Experts believe that joining BRICS would strengthen Palestine’s backing from the Global South.
In a related development, during the United Nations General Assembly, various countries, including Canada, Australia, Portugal, and the UK, recognized Palestine as an independent nation. Israel has strongly opposed this recognition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly stated at the General Assembly that they will not accept a “terrorist nation.”