Qidweh: Belief in Justness of the Palestinian Cause Critical to Effective Diplomatic Communication

Palestinian diplomat and former foreign minister Nasser al-Qidweh said that conviction in the justness of the Palestinian cause and the rationality of the Palestinian position are vital to diplomatic engagement in addressing the international community.

His comments were part of a lecture he gave on March 21, 2015 at Birzeit University’s Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, entitled “Diplomatic Engagement in Addressing the International Community” and moderated by the Vice President for Advancement Ghassan Khatib.

Qidweh went on to say that the violations committed by occupation forces against the Palestinian people have resulted in international sympathy that must be taken advantage of, stressing the need to uphold the morality of the Palestinian issue as one of the most just in the world.

Qidweh explained that adhering to international humanitarian law, represented by the Fourth Geneva Convention, The Hague Regulations and Security Council resolutions is the best weapon.

Speaking about young Palestinians planning to become diplomats in the future, Qidweh said that efficiency and decent work are the most important skills that they need to learn, along with good listening skills, the technical aspects of speaking and writing, and diplomatic engagement.

Khatib said that this lecture is one in a series of diplomatic lectures specialized in strategic communication and organized by the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute. He said that the university pays special attention to strategic communications and is seeking to harmonize local and international communications out of a belief in the need to develop the Palestinian message.  He also announced that the university, through the Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute, will soon start offering a specialized diploma in strategic communication.

Qidweh served as representative of Palestine to the United Nations from 1986 to 2003, and then as minister of foreign affairs in April 2003 until 2005. Currently, Qidweh is chairman of the board of trustees of the Arafat Foundation.