Symbolic but divided: Arab Parliament pushes for Palestine with limited influence

Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Mohammed Ahmed Al Yamahi, reiterated the body's official support for Arab causes, particularly the Palestinian issue, which he described as “the foremost concern of the Arab world,” during a coordination meeting of the Arab Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent.

The gathering was held ahead of the 150th IPU Assembly, hosted by Uzbekistan from 5 to 9 April 2025, with the goal of harmonising Arab positions on agenda items, emergency proposals, and nominations for vacant posts on the IPU Executive Committee and other bodies.

In his remarks, Al Yamahi underlined that the Arab Parliament’s participation reflects strengthening ties with the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, especially following a cooperation agreement signed in February during the seventh Arab Parliament conference. He expressed a commitment to leveraging parliamentary diplomacy to advance the collective interests of Arab populations.

However, observers note that the Arab Parliament’s influence on regional or international decision-making remains limited. 

While it symbolically represents member states of the Arab League, it lacks binding legislative power, and its members are frequently divided, especially on sensitive political topics such as Palestine.

Despite official declarations of support, Arab unity on the Palestinian issue remains fractured, with varying levels of political will, rhetoric, and diplomatic engagement among member states. 

Some governments have normalised relations with Israel, while others maintain strong opposition, leading to inconsistencies in parliamentary positions and strategies.

The Arab Parliament is a legislative body affiliated with the League of Arab States, established to foster inter-Arab cooperation, coordination, and shared legislative perspectives. 

Based in Cairo, it includes representatives from each member state of the Arab League, although its role is largely consultative. 

It seeks to influence policy by issuing recommendations and resolutions but has no enforcement authority over national legislatures or governments.

As the 150th IPU Assembly opens in Tashkent, the Arab Parliament’s participation underscores both its diplomatic aspirations and the continuing challenge of translating symbolic gestures into concrete influence on the world stage.