Palestine Opens Embassy in London After UK Recognition

Palestine has officially opened its embassy in London, marking a major diplomatic milestone following the United Kingdom’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine in September.

The inauguration was led by Husam Zomlot, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the United Kingdom, who unveiled the embassy’s official plaque during a ceremony attended by senior British officials, diplomats, and members of the Palestinian community.

The new designation replaces the former title “Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom” with “Embassy of the State of Palestine,” reflecting the embassy’s full diplomatic status and the completion of all required official and protocol arrangements between both sides.

Speaking on behalf of Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people, Ambassador Zomlot said the opening of the embassy is the result of more than a century of persistent Palestinian struggle for freedom and self-determination.

He described the embassy as a symbol of hope and resilience, stressing that peace is not only possible but inevitable when it is built on justice, dignity, and equality. Zomlot said the move represents international recognition of the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to sovereignty and equality among nations.

The ambassador emphasized that the embassy stands as proof that Palestinian identity cannot be erased and that Palestinian presence cannot be denied, calling the moment a historic turning point for a people who have been deprived of their right to self-determination for over a century.

Zomlot also noted that the Palestinian community in Britain now has a second home and a tangible piece of Palestine on British soil, reinforcing ties between the diaspora and their homeland.

Reaffirming Palestine’s political position, the ambassador renewed his country’s commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace based on international law, ending the Israeli occupation, and securing the rights of Palestinian refugees.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps at the Royal Court, senior officials from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, members of the diplomatic corps in Britain, and leaders and representatives of the Palestinian community.