Political negotiations are an integral part of the conflict between adversaries during periods of war and peace. At the time of the Crusader invasion of the Levant during the first crusade, many rounds of negotiations took place between the invading Crusaders and the Muslims who owned the land. These negotiations resulted in alliances, treaties and surrender of cities and fortresses. The negotiations reflect the weakness experienced by the Muslims. The most famous of these negotiations took place with the Fatimids and the princes of the Seljuk Shami cities. The most important negotiations focused on Antioch and Jerusalem.

The Crusaders spread panic and committed massacres and worked to spread the division among the Muslims to divide each of them separately and weaken their front. The Muslims also failed to defend their cities and strongholds and followed the policies of zeal and proximity to the Crusaders to prevent their evil. They also proceeded to provide them with supplies and guides. In their initiative to request the alliance with the Crusaders against the Seljuks, but the Crusaders betrayed them and broke their covenant with them.