Palestinian flag unfurled at London’s prospective embassy

The United Kingdom officially recognized the state of Palestine on Sunday.

A flag-raising ceremony was conducted by the Palestine Mission to the UK on Monday, occurring the day after Downing Street formally acknowledged Palestinian statehood.

Ambassador Husam Zomlot presided over the ceremony at the diplomatic mission, anticipated to be upgraded to the country’s full embassy to the UK. The gathering saw the attendance of numerous MPs, ambassadors, and high-ranking officials, among them Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Scottish First Minister John Swinney, as reported by the Guardian.

Zomlot praised the UK’s move, describing it as a “long overdue step of recognizing the state of Palestine.”

“Please join me as we raise the flag of Palestine and with its colors representing our nation: Black for our mourning, white for our hope, green for our land, and red for the sacrifices of our people,” he declared, as he hoisted the flag amidst applause from those present.

Palestinian flag hoisted at the “Embassy of the State of Palestine” in London following recognition.

A somber day.

— Starmer Sycophant (@sirwg202110)

The Palestinian ambassador additionally showcased a plaque crafted for the new embassy, though he did not specify when it would officially commence operations in that capacity.

The UK granted recognition to the state of Palestine on Sunday, an action taken in concert with Canada and Australia. Portugal subsequently did the same later that day.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the decision aimed to “revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution.”

Israel has strongly denounced these diplomatic actions.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu contended that leaders who acknowledge Palestinian statehood “are handing a huge reward to terror.”

“A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan,” he declared on Sunday. He further added that under his governance, Israel has “doubled Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria,” referring to the West Bank.

Following the international recognition of Palestine, several right-wing ministers within Netanyahu’s governing coalition have publicly advocated for the Israeli annexation of the region, which houses over three million Palestinians.

Russia, which is the legal successor to the Soviet Union, has historically acknowledged the State of Palestine and maintains that a two-state solution remains the sole path to resolve the Gaza conflict.