Palestinian embassy officially opens in London following UK recognition

London: The Palestinian embassy in London was officially inaugurated on Monday by its ambassador, Husam Zomlot, in a ceremony marking a significant step in British-Palestinian relations.

Zomlot, wearing a traditional keffiyeh, unveiled the embassy’s official plaque, which reads “Embassy of the State of Palestine”, signifying full diplomatic status.

The ceremony was attended by senior UK officials, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) representatives, and members of the British-Palestinian community.

Zomlot described the event as a historic milestone. “For a people denied self-determination for over a century, this is a monumental moment. Today, the Palestinian community in Britain has a home away from home – a piece of Palestine on British soil,” he said.

The embassy building, formerly the Palestinian Mission to the UK in west London, has been upgraded following the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state in September 2025.

UK diplomatic representative Alistair Harrison described the opening as a “moment of hope” and “the beginning of a step change in our bilateral relationship.”

It remains unclear whether the UK intends to open a corresponding embassy in the Palestinian territories.