'Palestine House' in London is facing ongoing harassment and pressures

Entering the building, visitors find themselves in another world—real, not virtual—populated by people of diverse backgrounds and nationalities, all centred on Palestine.

In central London, the "Palestine House" was established about a year ago as a "cultural embassy" and "gathering hub" representing Palestinian identity. The house now faces a blockade seeking to strangle it.

The six-storey building in Holborn is hard to miss. It sits just two kilometres from Parliament and government offices and falls under the constituency of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. On its facade, a protest calls out Israeli crimes in Palestine. Silent but visible, the Palestinian flag glows on a banner that reads: "Stop the Genocide."

That banner is one source of the conflict. It was installed by Osama Qashoo, the house's founder, to greet nearly 250,000 visitors, he told Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the Arabic language sister publication of The New Arab.

He said the house is a social project with no political leanings except defending the Palestinian cause.

"Stop the Genocide" as a crime

Qashoo said Camden Council, which administratively oversees the house, insists on removing the banner, claiming it is a "criminal breach of the law".

Official correspondence reviewed by Al-Araby al-Jadeed claims the banner's illumination as the problem, in violation of urban planning rules designed to preserve the area's architectural character.

Angela Ryan, head of the council's planning department, told Al-Araby al-Jadeed the banner must be removed because it was not licensed.

She said the house could formally request a permit for a non-illuminated banner, but warned there was "no guarantee" it would be granted.

The issue remains unresolved.

Some visitors questioned the council's focus, noting that the neighbouring fast-food chain "Wasabi" also displays a banner brighter than the "Stop the Genocide" sign.

Tracy Duffy, a visitor, said, "Even protesting Israeli crimes in Palestine has become a crime!" She called on management to "fight to keep the banner at any cost."

Meanwhile, another visitor, Sanjay Raj, asked, "Why focus on the Palestine House?"

Physical pressure

Physical attacks are another form of pressure aimed at closing the house, which presents itself on social media as "a home for Palestinians and anyone who has suffered displacement, exile, or seeks community."

On 27 November 2025, Qashoo was repeatedly assaulted near the building. After one attack, he called the police, who recorded the incident and assured him they would investigate. He has heard nothing since, though the attack meets the criteria of a hate crime.

Police did not confirm an "open investigation".

Despite providing the incident's timing and Qashoo's name, a spokeswoman told Al-Araby al-Jadeed, "We could not locate an ongoing investigation based on the information provided."

Over the past six weeks, Qashoo and his brother suffered further assaults, seeing "no point in contacting the police because they do nothing."

Sunday surprises

Sundays hold a special place in the house.

The day begins with a Palestinian breakfast, including za'atar, olives, falafel, fava beans, labneh, baba ghanoush, tahini, flatbread, and tea.

Afterwards, Qashoo leads visitors on a tour of all six floors. Each floor tells a story of Palestine, allowing visitors to experience cities such as Jerusalem, Jenin, Tulkarm, Gaza, Ramallah, and Nablus. The top floor evokes the Palestinian desert.

Qashoo, drawing on his experience as a filmmaker and his knowledge of Palestinian history, geography, and society, stresses the importance of visiting Palestine to witness its reality.

Visitors are often surprised to learn, for example, that the Israeli army treats wounded Palestinians in Israeli hospitals at Palestinian Authority expense, calculated at tourist rates.

Qashoo said Israel collects roughly $100 million annually from Palestinian exports passing through Israel, enough to build many hospitals in the Palestinian territories, which he argues explains the army’s insistence on demolishing hospitals.

Visitors also hear about the destructive impact of British military and intelligence support to Israel on Palestinian society.

Qashoo demonstrates, with figures, Palestinians' potential to rebuild their economy without aid.

He said Palestinians ask Britain to stop supporting Israeli authorities and open markets to trade with Palestine instead of ignoring illegal trade with settlements, which Britain considers unlawful. Palestinians seek "trade, not aid".

Za'atar, olive oil, and dabke

The house differentiates between governments and people. It emphasises "respect for British societal values, including equality, freedom of speech, and cultural diversity."

This is exactly what successive British governments have proudly highlighted over the past decades, most recently the current government. In a tweet on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Starmer said, "Britain is a proud, tolerant, and diverse country," responding to businessman Sir Tim Ratcliffe's claim that "immigrants are taking over Britain."

Qashoo said, "We are here for the community." He pointed to house principles published online: "We welcome everyone, from London and around the world, and provide an environment where each individual feels valued and respected."

The house is open to all social, cultural, and artistic activities. It provides space for young people to explore business projects, network, and build friendships. It encourages marriage and childbearing to preserve identity, offering free use of the wedding hall for couples with at least one Palestinian partner. Courses in the Arabic language and Palestinian arts, including embroidery and dabke, are also hosted.

The house launched the "Gaza Cola" project, with sales exceeding six million bottles, still growing in the Gulf.

The building is filled with images of Palestinian suffering, especially in Gaza, historical maps of Palestine, and depictions of planned occupation and displacement. Its ground-floor restaurant displays images of dead children, destroyed homes, and Palestinian resilience, accompanied by Arabic and Palestinian music.

Protesters sometimes gather outside, waving Palestinian flags.

Hate messages

House staff, mostly young international volunteers, said the project's growing popularity has not been welcomed by some neighbours and supporters of Israel.

They regularly receive hate messages calling them "terrorists", "bloodsuckers," "racists," and "anti-Semites," with threats of killing. Staff rarely report these incidents, believing "no one will act because we are Palestinian or pro-Palestine."

Qashoo added that the goal is to "exhaust us psychologically, financially, and mentally until we despair."

Other harassment includes cutting the electricity. A large generator now powers the building after the local electricity company disconnected service, citing unpaid bills from a previous tenant. The council opposed using the generator without prior approval.

In a letter to the House, reviewed by Al-Araby al-Jadeed, the council said the generator constituted "unauthorised development and a breach of (urban) planning rules."

The objection cited "the potential negative impact on building occupants and nearby businesses due to noise and smoke."

In a call with Al-Araby al-Jadeed, Angela Ryan confirmed the council "received a complaint about the generator" but declined to disclose the complainant's name.

The council gave the Palestine House until 20 February to remove the generator, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action.

Qashoo, however, insists he has received no complaint. He said removing the generator would halt all activity in the building.

"I have found no solution so far," he added. "We have exhausted every means to restore electricity, but they have trapped us in a cycle that drains our energy, time, and resources."

Intimidation through litigation

The House was advised to hire a lawyer, but Qashoo asked, "Where would I get the funds to hire lawyers?"

He contrasted their limited resources with the UK Lawyers for Israel group, located metres away, which openly aims to "create a supportive climate in the UK for Israel" by challenging narratives critical of Israel.

The organisation's website says one of its ways to support Israel in the UK is by "providing legal assistance, advice, and campaigns to counter attempts to undermine Israel, Israeli organisations, Israelis, or supporters of Israel, or to attack or delegitimise them."

One of the group's most troubling strategies for the Palestine House and its growing UK supporters is exploiting legal loopholes to file baseless lawsuits against opponents, deterring protests.

Rights organisations have filed complaints with the UK Solicitors Regulation Authority, alleging the group sends "vexatious, legally unfounded letters" to intimidate Palestine supporters.

While the organisation has denied the allegations, the investigation has been ongoing since August, amid concerns that the group operates through law firms outside the authority's oversight.

The Charity Commission is also investigating a related charity accused of issuing "legal threats to charities and individuals" in violation of the law.

"Like living under occupation"

Across High Holborn, the Israeli Hajaj Holding bought a multi-use building for £52 million ($71 million) in 2021. The company focuses on assets in Germany and London, aiming to increase its value through management improvements and development rights.

The Palestine House could have used the building commercially to earn millions, but chose to defend its identity despite the siege imposed on it. Qashoo described the challenges as "occupational harassment aimed at expelling us… It feels like we are under occupation, not in London."

"The system does not welcome our presence here," he said, and urged accountability from both Britons and non-Britons.

"This system oppresses us simply because we express our identity in a supposedly multicultural society," he added.

Qashoo also pledged to uphold the motto, "Your voice should be loud and proud" for all Palestinians.

How to help

The house's main request is for people to visit and join as members. Qashoo stressed it is open to all ideas except alcohol, and providing a platform for Israel.

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari.