‘Palestine House’ in London is facing ongoing harassment and pressures
An event held within Palestine House in London
Amer Sultan reports in The New Arab on 13 February 2026:
Entering the building, visitors find themselves in another world—real, not virtual—populated by people of diverse backgrounds and nationalities, all centred on Palestine.
In central London, the “Palestine House” was established about a year ago as a “cultural embassy” and “gathering hub” representing Palestinian identity. The house now faces a blockade seeking to strangle it.
The six-storey building in Holborn is hard to miss. It sits just two kilometres from Parliament and government offices and falls under the constituency of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. On its facade, a protest calls out Israeli crimes in Palestine. Silent but visible, the Palestinian flag glows on a banner that reads: “Stop the Genocide.”
That banner is one source of the conflict. It was installed by Osama Qashoo, the house’s founder, to greet nearly 250,000 visitors, he told Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the Arabic language sister publication of The New Arab. He said the house is a social project with no political leanings except defending the Palestinian cause.
“Stop the Genocide” as a crime
Qashoo said Camden Council, which administratively oversees the house, insists on removing the banner, claiming it is a “criminal breach of the law”.
Official correspondence reviewed by Al-Araby al-Jadeed claims the banner’s illumination as the problem, in violation of urban planning rules designed to preserve the area’s architectural character. Angela Ryan, head of the council’s planning department, told Al-Araby al-Jadeed the banner must be removed because it was not licensed. She said the house could formally request a permit for a non-illuminated banner, but warned there was “no guarantee” it would be granted.
The issue remains unresolved.
Some visitors questioned the council’s focus, noting that the neighbouring fast-food chain “Wasabi” also displays a banner brighter than the “Stop the Genocide” sign. Tracy Duffy, a visitor, said, “Even protesting Israeli crimes in Palestine has become a crime!” She called on management to “fight to keep the banner at any cost.” Meanwhile, another visitor, Sanjay Raj, asked, “Why focus on the Palestine House?”
Physical pressure