Terms of Reference (TOR)
1. Background
For decades, Saudi Arabia has engaged in the Palestinian Territories and with Palestinian stakeholders on multiple levels: In general, the kingdom presents itself as a diplomatic player by promoting initiatives for the creation of a Palestinian state such as the Fahd Plan in the 1980s or the Arab Peace Initiative (API) initiated by late King Abdullah in 2002. The kingdom further contributed significant financial assistance to the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority (PA) but also reduced such aid in recent years due to growing frustration and discontent with the PA. Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the support for the Palestinians has further decreased as the kingdom has readjusted its aid policies and focused more on national development and socio-economic transformation. Furthermore, ongoing talks with the US and Israel on potential normalization with Israel resulted in a more pragmatic and less ideological approach on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
2. Objective
Against this backdrop, KAS is looking for a researcher to draft a paper addressing the main dimensions and key drivers for Saudi Arabia’s engagement with Palestine. This should include but not be limited to the following issues:
- Historical aspect of Saudi-Palestinian relations
- Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts and political relations with the Palestinians
- Development and humanitarian aid as well as economic ties and cooperation
- Religious aspects of the Saudi-Palestinian relationship
- Scenarios for Saudi engagement in a post-war reality
3. Scope of Work
The deliverable of this project is a policy and research paper amounting to 15 – 20 manuscript pages by the end of December 2024.
4. Target Group: The target group includes scholars, experts, students, policymakers, diplomats, researchers, and individuals interested in Saudi and Palestinian policy affairs.
5. Submission of Proposals
Interested authors should submit their research paper proposal by October 31st, 2024, to simon.engelkes@kas.de. The proposal does not have to be longer than one page.