British Palestinians are facing an escalating climate of hostility and self-censorship as they grapple with the fallout from Israel’s war in Gaza, according to Sara Husseini, director of the British Palestinian Committee. Many report feeling unable to openly express their identity or solidarity with Palestine—whether through wearing Palestinian symbols, displaying Arabic jewelry, or even discussing the ongoing genocide—fearing punishment or backlash in workplaces and public spaces.
The tension comes ahead of Saturday’s national march in London marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of at least 700,000 Palestinians during Israel’s creation. Husseini describes a growing sense of isolation among Palestinians in the UK, who feel treated as suspects rather than victims of mass suffering. “Cruelty is the word I would use, particularly for colleagues who are from Gaza or have family there, knowing these atrocities are being inflicted on their loved ones day in, day out,” she said. “And then being effectively told: not only are we not going to acknowledge that this is happening to you, we’re going to disbelieve you, interrogate you, stop you from speaking about it, and if you do speak, we’re going to paint you as the problem.”
Husseini, whose father is Palestinian from Jerusalem and mother is English from Leicestershire, has spent decades advocating for Palestinian rights, including advisory work for the Palestine Liberation Organisation during the failed peace process. She characterizes the past two and a half years as “the darkest chapter in Palestinian history since 1948,” marked by daily reports of massacres, starvation, and torture in Gaza.
Despite the trauma, Husseini highlights the resilience of British solidarity. Mass pro-Palestine marches—attended by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people from all backgrounds—have become a lifeline for many. “We feel a great deal of solidarity from the British public,” she said. “What we’ve seen is hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people of conscience from all walks of life and all backgrounds who have marched, signed petitions, written to their MPs and protested our government’s complicity in Israeli war crimes.”
A recent UNRWA dispatch underscored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reporting that 111 Palestinians—including at least 18 children and seven women—were killed by Israeli forces in April alone. The agency also warned of worsening conditions in emergency tents, where disease-carrying rodents have led to a surge in skin infections. An estimated 700 Palestinians who fled Gaza to the UK have required specialist nutritional support due to prolonged starvation, compounding the psychological trauma that Husseini warns “will seep down through generations.”
The march coincides with rising calls from some Jewish groups and politicians for tighter restrictions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Husseini rejects the framing of these protests as “hate marches,” arguing they are instead a response to “the most hateful acts possible: war and genocide.” She noted that the protests include 13 organized Jewish blocs, all united in opposition to the killing of children and forced starvation of civilians. “It’s to undermine the hundreds and thousands of people who are turning up on the street,” she said. “It’s to distract from the government’s complicity in these crimes.”
While the UK formally recognized a Palestinian state last year, Husseini expressed frustration with what she described as performative engagement from political leaders. She cited Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to a Cardiff mosque after his controversial 2023 interview, where he appeared to defend Israel’s right to withhold power and water from Gaza. “This is part of stirring up communal tensions and a wider culture-wars mentality that frames it as Muslims against Jews,” she said. “That framing is just not right.”
Husseini also addressed the media’s portrayal of Palestinian identity as suspicious or extremist, calling it part of a broader effort to “erase and invisibilise Palestinians.” She linked this dehumanization to historical patterns, noting that it is “a prerequisite for genocide.” Yet she remains hopeful, drawing parallels to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. “Our freedom is ultimately inevitable,” she said.
Frequently Asked Questions
[Question 1]
Why are Palestinians in the UK afraid to wear symbols like keffiyehs or discuss Gaza?
Sara Husseini, director of the British Palestinian Committee, has documented cases of Palestinians being silenced or punished for wearing Palestinian symbols, such as keffiyehs or watermelon pins, or for speaking about the genocide in Gaza. Many report feeling gaslit and isolated, with colleagues across sectors fearing backlash for expressing solidarity.
[Question 2]
What is the significance of the Nakba march in London?
The march commemorates the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of at least 700,000 Palestinians during Israel’s creation. It serves as both a historical reminder and a platform for current activism, particularly as Palestinians in the UK face growing hostility for advocating against Israel’s war in Gaza.
[Question 3]
How has the British government responded to the crisis in Gaza?
While the UK formally recognized a Palestinian state last year, Palestinians in Britain have criticized the government’s stance as insufficient. Engagement often appears performative, such as photo opportunities, while political leaders like Prime Minister Keir Starmer have faced backlash for statements perceived as supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza.
As protests continue and tensions rise, how can solidarity be translated into lasting change for Palestinians in the UK—and beyond?
