Palestinian embassy in London opens in 'historic moment'

The Embassy of the state of Palestine has officially opened in the UK, marking what the Palestinian ambassador to London hailed as a "historic moment".

Speaking at the inauguration in Hammersmith, west London, on Monday, Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, said the embassy's establishment "marked a profound milestone in the British-Palestinian relations". It comes after the UK officially recognised Palestine as an independent state back in September, against the backdrop of Israel's two-year war against Hamas militants in Gaza which saw tens of thousands killed.

"We gather today to mark a historic moment, the inauguration of the embassy of the state of Palestine to the United Kingdom - with full diplomatic status and privileges, a symbol of our people's inalienable right for sovereign statehood and equality among nations," Mr Zomlot said. "For generations of Palestinians in Gaza, in the occupied West Bank including east Jerusalem, in refugee camps and across the diaspora this embassy represents proof that our identity cannot be denied, our presence cannot be erased and our lives cannot be devalued." "For a people denied self determination for over a century, this is a monumental moment." Read more:Israel suspends 37 aid organisations from operating in Gaza'Working on this film gave me panic attacks' - Watch In recognising Palestine as a state, the UK did so based on 1967 borders to be finalised as part of future negotiations.

The UK also acknowledged "all legal rights and obligations of statehood" for Palestine. Following the unveiling of the new embassy's plaque, Alistair Harrison, marshal of the diplomatic corps, echoed Mr Zamlot's comments, saying the embassy's opening was a "historic moment for Palestine".

He said it was a "very important moment in the relationship between our two countries.