Palestine Embassy Opens in Hammersmith

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Ceremony held to mark full diplomatic status for the mission

The Palestinian flag raised above the new embassy. Picture: Palestine Embassy in UK

September 25, 2025

In a historic shift in British foreign policy, the UK government formally recognised the State of Palestine this week, prompting the transformation of the Palestinian Mission in Hammersmith into a full embassy. The move, announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, aligns Britain with countries including Canada, Australia, and France in a coordinated diplomatic gesture aimed at reviving prospects for a two-state solution.

The embassy is located in a quiet cul-de-sac off King Street in Hammersmith. The site has housed the Palestinian Mission since the 1970s, serving as a representative office without formal diplomatic status. With the UK’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, the building now holds the designation of an official embassy.

On Monday (22 September), hundreds gathered outside the building to witness the raising of the Palestinian flag. Attendees included MPs from across the political spectrum, ambassadors from over 60 countries, and campaigners, many of them British Palestinians. The ceremony featured speeches, music, and traditional baklava, with Ambassador Husam Zomlot and Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer leading the proceedings.

Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick, who has long advocated for Palestinian rights, described the event as “a remarkable day.” He added, “Better late than never. More than 100 years after the Balfour Declaration promised equal rights over the historic lands to Arabs and Jews, 75 years after Britain recognised the State of Israel and ten years after the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly for recognition.

“Recognition gives hope at a time when it seemed lost, but it is only one step on the road to a free and sovereign Palestine.”

Left: Andy Slaughter MP. Right: Ambassador Husam Zomlot

Mr Slaughter also praised local authorities for their role in facilitating the event, thanking Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the Metropolitan Police for managing logistics and security.

Ambassador Zomlot, who has led the Palestinian Mission since 2018, called the embassy’s inauguration “a historic moment” and held up a plaque reading “Embassy of the State of Palestine,” noting that it would soon be formally affixed to the building pending legal formalities.

The UK’s recognition comes amid escalating violence in Gaza and increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions and settlement expansions. While the move has been welcomed by many as a long-overdue correction of historical imbalances, critics argue it lacks enforceable conditions and may not influence Israeli policy. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the decision “absolutely disastrous,” while some pro-Palestinian voices view it as symbolic but insufficient.

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