Palestinian embassy accuses UK government of failing to provide security after 'multiple' attacks

The Palestinian embassy in London has accused the UK government of failing to uphold its diplomatic obligations after a series of attacks on its building.

A spokesperson for the embassy said it has "requested multiple times that the UK government provide protection to the Embassy of the State of Palestine in the UK".

"We did not receive any proper security arrangements to protect our embassy and staff," the spokesperson told Middle East Eye.

"At this point, we kindly request the UK government fulfil its obligations under the Vienna Convention," they added.

According to the embassy, incidents targeting the building have become increasingly frequent and severe since Israel began its genocidal war on Gaza. 

Their concerns were further heightened after a group of pro-Israel supporters barricaded the front of the embassy, holding Israeli and Union Jack flags, and vandalising the embassy building by leaving stickers that read "I love the IDF [Israeli army]."

The spokesperson added that the embassy had made multiple requests with the Foreign Office and the London Metropolitan Police's Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Unit. 

"Over the past two years, we have endured multiple such attacks - smashed windows, paint thrown at our building - while our staff were inside," the spokesperson said, describing a pattern of intimidation that has left diplomats feeling unsafe, the spokesperson said.

"The only protection we've been offered is occasional police patrols, not a full security detail," they added.

Vienna Convention 

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, host states are required to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of diplomatic missions against intrusion, damage, or disruption. 

The embassy argues that the UK has consistently fallen short of that standard in comparison to other countries and comes after Britain recognised the State of Palestine in September. 

"Ultimately, we are calling on the UK government to conduct a full investigation and take proper protective measures," the spokesperson continued, urging authorities to treat the attacks with the seriousness they merit.

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Diplomats believe the repeated targeting of the building is not random but politically motivated. 

"We know what the endgame is here: they (pro-Israeli groups) are trying to deter us from continuing to fulfil our duties in representing our people and just cause in the UK," the embassy said.

The comments come amid heightened tensions in the UK surrounding Palestine solidarity activism, escalating protests, and increased scrutiny of Palestinian institutions. 

The embassy says the lack of robust security measures is putting staff at risk and impeding its operations.

A spokesperson for the London Metropolitan Police said it was made aware of the incident on Monday but noted that no incident was reported to the police and officers did not attend. 

"We take the security and safety of the diplomatic community extremely seriously," a police spokesperson told MEE. 

"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."