Palestine Company Search Guide 2026: How to Verify a Palestinian Business

TL;DR. The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of National Economy (MoNE) maintains the Companies Registrar for the State of Palestine. This registry is functional in the West Bank under Palestinian Authority administration. Gaza has been under separate administration (Hamas) since 2007 and the humanitarian catastrophe of 2023-2025 has severely disrupted any registry function there. Foreign buyers can access West Bank company data through local legal counsel or business agents in Ramallah. The Palestinian Authority is not subject to complete US or EU sanctions. US OFAC designates Hamas as a Specially Designated Terrorist organization; Gaza-based entities require careful screening.

Political and geographic context

The State of Palestine is recognized by over 140 UN member states and is an observer state at the UN since 2012. For company registry purposes, the relevant authority is divided:

West Bank: Under the 1993-1995 Oslo Accords, the Palestinian Authority (PA) administers Areas A and B of the West Bank. The PA’s Ministry of National Economy (MoNE) operates the Companies Registrar covering West Bank companies. This system is functional, though with material capacity constraints.

Gaza Strip: Gaza has been governed by Hamas since 2007. The PA’s registry authority does not effectively extend to Gaza. From October 2023, the Israeli military campaign in Gaza following the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 has caused catastrophic humanitarian and infrastructural damage. Any Gaza-based company registry function that existed is severely disrupted. [VERIFY: current status of business registration infrastructure in Gaza as of 2026]

This guide primarily covers West Bank-registered companies under PA administration. Gaza-based entities require separate analysis.

What is the Companies Registrar?

The Companies Registrar (مسجل الشركات) operates under the Ministry of National Economy (MoNE) of the Palestinian Authority. The MoNE is at economy.pna.ps. Company registration in Palestine is governed by the Jordanian Companies Law No. 12 of 1964 as modified by PA legislation, a legacy of Jordanian administration of the West Bank pre-1967.

The Companies Registrar registers:

• Limited liability companies (شركة ذات مسؤولية محدودة)
• Public shareholding companies (شركة مساهمة عامة)
• General and limited partnerships
• Branches of foreign companies
• Non-profit organizations engaged in commercial activities

Online access and practical barriers

The MoNE portal provides limited online services. A company search function exists but is in Arabic and requires familiarity with the system and, for some functions, local PA credentials. [VERIFY: current functionality of economy.pna.ps online search as of 2026]

Foreign buyers typically access West Bank company records through:

• Local Palestinian law firms in Ramallah, Nablus, or Bethlehem: The most reliable route for certified company extracts. Palestinian Bar Association member firms can obtain certified registry extracts and provide English translations.
• Palestinian British Business Council and PalTrade (paltrade.org): PalTrade maintains business directories and counterparty identification support.
• Commercial Registrar office in Ramallah: Physical office where certified extracts can be requested. In-person or agent-based process.

Key identifier: company registration number

Palestinian companies are assigned a registration number by the Companies Registrar at the time of incorporation. This number is the primary identifier for registry searches. Collect the company registration number from any Palestinian counterparty before initiating verification.

Currency and banking context

Palestinian businesses operate primarily in Israeli New Shekel (ILS/NIS). The Palestinian Authority does not have its own currency. Banking is conducted through a combination of PA-licensed banks, Israeli banks, and Jordanian banks with West Bank branches. The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) regulates the banking sector. Wire transfers to and from Palestinian entities are processed through Israeli correspondent banking networks or Jordanian bank channels, depending on the counterparty’s banking arrangements.

Sanctions and AML context

OFAC. Hamas is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under US law. Transactions benefiting Hamas or Hamas-controlled entities are prohibited for US persons. Palestinian entities in Gaza require careful screening for Hamas nexus. West Bank entities are not presumptively sanctioned. OFAC designates specific individuals related to Hamas separately on the SDN list.

EU and UK. The EU and UK designate Hamas and affiliated individuals under their respective terrorist financing frameworks. West Bank companies registered under the Palestinian Authority are not subject to PA-level complete sanctions.

Practical consequence. Palestinian Authority-registered companies in the West Bank are not presumptively sanctioned. Standard SDN/SDGT screening applies. Hamas nexus is the primary sanctions risk; geographic origin (Gaza) is a heightened risk indicator requiring enhanced scrutiny.

FATF and APG. Palestine is not a FATF member. AML/CFT oversight in the West Bank is conducted by the Palestinian Financial Follow-Up Unit (FFMS) under the PMA. [VERIFY: current FATF/APG assessment status of Palestinian Authority AML/CFT framework]

Practical tips for foreign compliance buyers

• West Bank vs. Gaza: treat as different risk environments. A company registered and operating in the West Bank under PA administration is a materially different risk profile from any Gaza-based entity. Verify the physical location and operational base of any Palestinian counterparty.
• Gaza entities require enhanced scrutiny. Given Hamas governance, the post-2023 conflict environment, and OFAC SDGT designations, any Gaza-based entity requires escalation and qualified legal review before any engagement.
• Engage Ramallah-based counsel. Certified company extracts require local presence. Palestinian law firms in Ramallah are the standard route for international due diligence buyers.
• Israeli correspondent banking. Palestinian wire transfers typically route through Israeli correspondent banks. This means US and EU financial institution sanctions compliance obligations apply to Israeli banks processing Palestinian transactions. This affects turnaround times and the documentation requirements for PA-origin payments.
• Screen key individuals. In addition to entity-level screening, screen key directors and beneficial owners of Palestinian entities against OFAC SDN, EU Consolidated List, and UN lists.

FAQ

Can I access the Palestinian company registry online?

Limited online search is available at the MoNE portal in Arabic. For certified documents, local legal counsel or an agent in Ramallah is required.

Are Palestinian companies subject to US sanctions?

Palestinian companies registered under the Palestinian Authority are not presumptively sanctioned. Hamas-designated entities and individuals are on the OFAC SDN list. Standard screening applies. Gaza-based entities require enhanced scrutiny for Hamas nexus.

What currency do Palestinian companies use?

Israeli New Shekel (ILS/NIS). Palestinian companies do not use a separate national currency.

What is the legal basis for company registration in the West Bank?

Company registration in the West Bank is governed primarily by the Jordanian Companies Law No. 12 of 1964 as modified by Palestinian Authority legislation, and administered by the PA Ministry of National Economy Companies Registrar.

Last verified: May 2026. Sources: Palestinian Authority Ministry of National Economy (economy.pna.ps); OFAC Hamas designation (ofac.treasury.gov); PalTrade (paltrade.org); Palestinian Monetary Authority (pma.ps). [VERIFY:] flags indicate fields requiring verification against current operational status, particularly for Gaza.