Overview
- A Jan 5 ceremony in Hammersmith marked the transition from the Palestinian Mission to the Embassy of Palestine, with Ambassador Husam Zomlot unveiling the plaque.
- Zomlot called the opening a day of hope and framed it as a step toward self-determination and statehood.
- UK diplomatic representative Alistair Harrison described the event as a moment of hope and the beginning of a step change in bilateral relations.
- The premises have served as Palestinian diplomatic headquarters for more than 30 years, and the upgrade formalizes full diplomatic privileges in the UK.
- The UK foreign ministry did not say whether Britain will open an embassy in the Palestinian territories, as the move takes place during a fragile Gaza ceasefire reported since October.