The Palestinian mission in the United Kingdom held a special ceremony on Monday in London, raising the Palestinian flag a day after Britain’s historic decision to officially recognize the State of Palestine.
The UK joined countries such as Australia and Canada in recognizing Palestinian statehood ahead of this week’s United Nations General Assembly meetings, where attention is expected to focus on the dramatic situation faced by the Palestinian people and the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Britain’s decision carries special symbolic weight due to its historical role in the establishment of the State of Israel after World War II. Following the announcement, Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission in the UK, stated that Britain has “corrected past mistakes by recognizing Palestine as a state with equal rights and sovereignty.”
He described the decision as a “delayed recognition” of the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, adding that “peace can only come when Palestine is free.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized on Sunday: “Today, to revive hope for peace for both Palestinians and Israelis and for a two-state solution, the United Kingdom officially recognizes the State of Palestine.” He further noted: “The man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching new depths. The relentless and escalating bombardment by the Israeli government against Gaza, the offensive of recent weeks, starvation, and destruction are completely intolerable.”
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains alarming. According to the Ministry of Health in Hamas-controlled Gaza, at least 64,905 people have been killed in Israeli strikes. Over 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems have been completely devastated. UN-supported food security experts have declared a “bread famine” in Gaza City.
