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When states face international terrorism, their response almost automatically lies in the area of foreign policy. As such, actors in foreign policy making play a key, yet understudied role in this process. In this paper, I will therefore analyse West German foreign policy responses to Palestinian terrorism in the 1970s, which evolved from technical to diplomatic measures. The focus will be on the role of diplomats, not least on their sustained and expanding efforts to negotiate with representatives of violent Palestinian organisations after terror attacks affecting West Germany. This paper thereby shows the potential of a more actor focused counterterrorism research agenda. Moreover, from a methodological standpoint it also illustrates how archival material can help to uncover the internal dynamics and complexities of governmental decision-making when it comes to counterterrorism.