Palestinian ambassador praises Burnham government for bringing Palestine's 'South Africa moment' closer

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot told a packed Arab ambassadors' reception at Labour's annual conference that Britain had 'shifted from words to action' on Israel. Zomlot singled out Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's 'leadership' and 'statesmanship', praising West Bank settlement sanctions and Palestine's formal recognition as 'historic'. Miliband had earlier told the conference that pro-Palestine protesters 'were right', drawing a standing ovation from delegates.

Zomlot told Arab ambassadors he no longer came with demands, but just two words: 'thank you'.

He invoked Nelson Mandela, saying apartheid ended when Britain finally aligned with its own people.