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Palestinian ambassador hails Burnham government's Israel sanctions as 'South Africa moment' for Palestine

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Palestine Action protesters accosted Ed Miliband at a Pizza Express in Liverpool, where the Foreign Secretary was attending Labour's conference and won a standing ovation after telling delegates Britain's future "lies…
Palestine Action protesters accosted Ed Miliband at a Pizza Express in Liverpool, where the Foreign Secretary was attending Labour's conference and won a standing ovation after telling delegates Britain's future "lies…
Husam Zomlot (left), Ed Miliband (centre), and Forhad Hussain at Labour's Arab ambassadors' reception, where Zomlot scrapped his usual list of demands and told the audience Britain had delivered "Palestine's South…
Husam Zomlot (left), Ed Miliband (centre), and Forhad Hussain at Labour's Arab ambassadors' reception, where Zomlot scrapped his usual list of demands and told the audience Britain had delivered "Palestine's South…

Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot broke from the usual script at Labour's Arab ambassadors' reception Monday night, scrapping his customary list of demands to deliver just two words: "thank you." Zomlot told the audience he believed Britain was now delivering "Palestine's South Africa moment," comparing West Bank settlement sanctions to the international pressure that ended apartheid. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband had earlier told Labour's conference that pro-Palestine protesters "were right," drawing thunderous applause from delegates.

Zomlot singled out Miliband's 'leadership' and 'statesmanship,' praising recognition of Palestinian statehood as the moment Britain 'shifted from words to action.'

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy simultaneously vowed to the Jewish Labour Movement to fight 'with the last breath in my body' for members' right to voice any view on the conflict.

The conference was reportedly branded a 'non-stop Leftie love-in' by critics, with Burnham's government accused of betraying Britain by ignoring the Chief Rabbi's warning that sanctions leave Jewish Britons less safe.

MoreJewish NewsUK Palestinian ambassador: Burnham government is bringing our ‘South Africa moment’
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