Britain’s recognition of Palestine is overshadowed by Israeli genocide
Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot speaks to the media outside the embassy of Palestine, formerly the Palestinian Mission to the UK in London, as Britain formally recognises Palestine as an independent state on 22 September 2025
Peter Oborne writes in Middle East Eye on 22 September 2025:
Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot faced a delicate balancing act as he spoke at Monday’s momentous ceremony marking British recognition of the Palestinian state. But he got the tone just about right.
Of course, recognition of statehood – though far too late – is welcome. But it comes against the background of remorseless Israeli war crimes and the slaughter of Palestinians. “Please join me as we raise the flag of Palestine with its colours representing our nation,” said Zomlot. “Black for our mourning, white for our hope, green for our land and red for the sacrifices of our people.”
The crowd, perhaps 1,000 strong, cheered as the flag was raised, and history was made.
But Zomlot called on his audience to remember “that this recognition comes at a time of unimaginable pain and suffering, as a genocide is being waged against us – a genocide that is still being denied and allowed to continue with impunity”.
As he spoke of genocide, I carefully studied the faces of the two senior members of the Starmer government present. Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer’s face slowly tightened into a rictus grin. The term genocide is not permitted in British government circles. Ministers would rather not be reminded of their Israeli allies’ daily slaughter in Gaza – the bodies rotting under the rubble, the starvation, the targeting of civilians. Health Secretary Wes Streeting looked rather unwell, as if Zomlot had forced him to take some unpleasant medicine.
Political discomfort
Cynics might connect Streeting’s presence at the Palestine Mission – today upgraded to embassy – in West London to the slender 589 majority in his Ilford North constituency.
Falconer was first to respond to Zomlot’s powerful, well-judged oration. He addressed the largely Palestinian crowd with the steady, unhurried, toneless cadences of a speak-your-weight machine. Terrified of saying the wrong thing. Even more terrified of saying the right thing. A minister afraid of his own voice. “Shame on you!” came a voice from the crowd. Falconer responded by decrying conditions in Gaza. A woman on my right shouted out, “Stop arming Israel.”
I spotted Alf Dubs, the child refugee who escaped to Britain before World War II on the Kindertransport, among the crowd. The former Labour MP, now 93, has long campaigned for a Palestinian state. It was profoundly moving to witness the old campaigner in action.