Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot to speak at SNP conference

Palestine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom will give a speech to the SNP’s annual party conference this week. 

Husam Zomlot is expected to speak for around 25 minutes on the main conference floor. 

Last month, First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar attended a flag-raising ceremony with the ambassador at the Palestinian Mission in London to mark the UK’s recognition of the state of Palestine. 

Speaking on that day, Swinney said: “I have been clear that the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine should have been unconditional, but this decision goes some way towards acknowledging the UK’s solemn and historic responsibility towards all peoples of the region. 

“While this announcement is welcome news, this is just the first step towards establishing a two-state solution. 

“A two-state solution is the only option that can provide peace, prosperity, and security for both the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.” 

He also added that Hamas “must play no role in the future of the Palestinian state”. 

Last weekend, Swinney was heckled at a vigil for victims of the 7 October attacks when he spoke about the decision to recognise a Palestinian state. It followed a terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester in which two people died along with the attacker. 

The news of the Palestinian ambassador’s appearance at the conference follows news this morning that the first phase of the Gaza peace deal, brokered by Donald Trump, between Israel and Hamas has been agreed. 

The US president said that Israel has agreed to withdraw troops “an agreed-upon line” and all hostages “will probably be released on Monday”. 

Since the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 people, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported that over 67,000 people have been killed since the attacks.