All Commonwealth summit communiqués from the late 1960s through to the mid-1990s maintained a focus on the Palestinian conflict and highlighted approaches which could lead to its just resolution. Whilst pressure peaked in the late 1970s and 1980s, the most significant issue – potential Palestinian membership – only arose in 1997. A decision was deferred and Palestine has not been mentioned in summit communiqués since. This continued silence has dovetailed with a diminished summit and supporting Commonwealth Secretariat. Nevertheless, the Commonwealth can and should re-engage by providing a realistic roadmap (including Secretariat support) for Palestinian membership which benchmarks internal standards but is not dependent on Israeli or similar factors outside the Palestinian Authority’s direct control.