Palestinian Flag Hoisted in London After UK Recognition of Statehood
The Palestinian Mission in London has officially raised its flag following the United Kingdom’s historic decision to recognize Palestine as a state.
The ceremony, held on September 22 in Hammersmith, West London, marked the transformation of the Palestinian Mission into what will now become the Embassy of the State of Palestine.
Ambassador Husam Zomlot led the flag-raising event, calling the move “long overdue” and a powerful act of justice.
In his remarks, Zomlot invoked the legacy of the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which paved the way for the creation of Israel, and said the recognition helped address Britain’s historic responsibility toward the Palestinian people.
He stressed, however, that the decision comes at a moment of deep suffering for Palestinians, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continuing violence in the occupied West Bank.
During the ceremony, a plaque bearing the inscription “The Embassy of the State of Palestine” was unveiled, though officials noted that full legal and administrative steps to upgrade the mission’s status will be completed in the coming weeks.
Diplomats, community members, and supporters attended the event, which was described as both symbolic and significant in international diplomacy.
The UK formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state on September 21, joining a growing list of countries, including Australia, Canada, and Portugal, that have taken similar steps this year.
Britain’s move represents a sharp policy shift, granting Palestine the right to full diplomatic representation under international law.
Supporters of the recognition hailed it as a historic correction of past injustices and a sign of hope for peace. Critics, however, warned that it could complicate negotiations with Israel and argued that recognition alone would not resolve the realities of conflict on the ground.
For many Palestinians, the raising of their flag over London was seen as more than symbolic—it was a visible sign that their decades-long struggle for statehood is gaining broader legitimacy on the world stage.
