UK Officially Recognizes Palestine, Raises Flag at London Embassy

The United Kingdom has officially recognized the State of Palestine, upgrading the Palestinian Mission in London to an embassy, marked by a flag-raising ceremony attended by diplomats, British parliamentarians, and officials such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Scottish First Minister John Swinney. Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot hailed the recognition as a historic and long-overdue step toward Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution, highlighting the significance of the event in the same city where the Balfour Declaration was issued over a century ago. The UK government views this move as a clear declaration of intent to support peace efforts in the Middle East, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the recognition, warning it rewards terrorism and reaffirming Israel's settlement policies. The ceremony featured the raising of the Palestinian flag, symbolizing mourning, hope, land, and sacrifice, and the unveiling of a plaque for the new embassy, signaling the formal establishment of diplomatic relations. This recognition aligns the UK with other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Portugal, which have recently acknowledged Palestinian statehood in an effort to revive the peace process.