The Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom has demanded urgent security improvements after masked activists targeted his country's embassy in London, an incident he describes as a clear violation of international diplomatic law.
Incident at the Hammersmith Embassy
Ambassador Husam Zomlot issued a call for 'comprehensive protection' following a demonstration last Saturday. A group of individuals, their faces covered, gathered at the entrance to the Palestinian embassy in Hammersmith, west London. They were seen waving Israeli flags and Union Jacks.
Security camera footage showed the building had been defaced with provocative stickers. These included messages such as 'I love the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]', 'Anti-Zionism is racism', and a design featuring the Star of David superimposed on the Union Jack with the text: 'We are not Jews trembling at the knees.'
A 'Flagrant Breach' of Diplomatic Law
The embassy formally condemned the event as 'a flagrant breach of diplomatic laws and customs and the rules of international law'. Ambassador Zomlot stated that the mission has requested immediate action from British authorities.
'We have formally requested the British authorities to provide immediate and comprehensive protection for the embassy and our personnel from such attacks,' Zomlot said. 'We call on them to investigate this incident fully and hold those responsible accountable.'
He added a defiant message to the perpetrators: 'To those responsible, we clearly say your actions will not deter us. We will continue to advance Palestine-UK relations and defend the rights and lives of the Palestinian people.'
History of Threats and Planned Further Action
This is not an isolated incident. Staff reported that in 2023, when the mission held a lower diplomatic status, there were four separate attacks within weeks, including acts of vandalism and death threats. Officials at the time labelled the lack of diplomatic protection as 'inexplicable and unacceptable'.
The embassy's profile was raised after Britain's recognition of the Palestinian state, with a formal flag-raising ceremony held on 22 September. Despite this enhanced status, security arrangements have reportedly not been upgraded.
Concerns are now heightened as another demonstration was advertised for the following Friday. A Facebook post promoting the event read: 'A hardcore group of Zionists have decided it’s time for direct action to challenge the haters and give them a taste of their own medicine.' The post called for an end to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorism, groups which the Palestinian Authority has no affiliation with.
Security Disparities and Legal Obligations
The incident highlights disparities in security provision for diplomatic missions in London. While some embassies, like Israel's, benefit from enhanced protection from specialist police officers, the Palestinian embassy currently falls into a category with no permanent police presence.
This is despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East following the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. It is understood that Palestinian missions in other nations, including France, receive permanent security details.
Under Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the host state has a 'special duty' to protect mission premises from 'any intrusion or damage' and to prevent any disturbance of its peace or dignity.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson responded, stating: 'We take the security and safety of the diplomatic community extremely seriously. Security arrangements at diplomatic premises... are based on an assessment of risk and are constantly reviewed.'
