Palestine’s ambassador calls for better security after masked men target London embassy

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK has called for “comprehensive protection” after his embassy was targeted by masked men waving Israeli flags and union jacks.Husam Zomlot made the call after the group posed at the entrance to the embassy, in Hammersmith, west London, last Saturday. The building was defaced with stickers such as “I love the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]”, according to images captured by security cameras.The embassy had its flag-raising ceremony on 22 September after Britain’s recognition of the Palestinian state. The building had before then served as the Palestinian mission to the UK. Despite the change of status, which has given it a higher profile, there has been no change in security arrangements and there are fears for the safety of staff.Zomlot said: ‘To those responsible, we clearly say your actions will not deter us. We will continue to advance Palestine-UK relations.’ Photograph: PalMissionUK/XAnother demonstration was planned for Friday with a Facebook post stating: “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. Bring your union jack and Israeli flags and your megaphones.”Zomlot said: “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.“We have formally requested the British authorities to provide immediate and comprehensive protection for the embassy and our personnel from such attacks. We call on them to investigate this incident fully and hold those responsible accountable for this incident and other incidents.”In 2023, when it was still the Palestinian mission, staff reported four attacks in a matter of weeks, including vandalism. They also said there had been death threats. The officials said the failure to provide diplomatic protection had been “inexplicable and unacceptable”.According to pictures posted by the embassy, further stickers left by the group last Saturday included “Anti-Zionism is racism” and one with the star of David superimposed over the union jack with the slogan: “We are not Jews trembling at the knees.”The building was defaced with stickers such as ‘I love the IDF’, the embassy said, and produced images captured by security cameras last Saturday. Photograph: PalMissionUK/XUnder article 22 of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, a host state is “under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity”.The embassy described last Saturday’s incident as “a flagrant breach of diplomatic laws and customs and the rules of international law”.skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionThe embassy described last Saturday’s incident as ‘a flagrant breach of diplomatic laws and customs and the rules of international law’. Photograph: PalMissionUK/XThe post advertising Friday’s demonstration said: “We’re calling for an end to Hamas and PIJ [Palestinian Islamic Jihad] terrorism once and for all.” The Palestinian Authority has nothing to do with either group.It is understood that Palestinian diplomatic missions in other countries, including France, have permanent security and in some cases close protection for the ambassador.Embassies and ambassadors in London have different levels of protection according to the perceived risk they face. Many have no police presence but some, such as the Israeli embassy, have enhanced protection from specialist officers. The Palestinian embassy falls into the first category, despite Middle East tensions continuing after the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.A Metropolitan police spokesperson said: “We take the security and safety of the diplomatic community extremely seriously. Security arrangements at diplomatic premises, overseen by the Met’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, are based on an assessment of risk and are constantly reviewed.”