Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, it had been reported, had planned to fly the Palestinian flag over Parliament. This is now known to be incorrect.

UPDATE – This story is now inaccurate. We have received confirmation from a spokesperson for the Speaker’s Office that the email advising that a flag will be flown was sent in error.

I was told that “A routine internal planning email was sent in error. We can confirm no meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador is scheduled to take place.”

It is also understood that the Speaker last met the Israeli ambassador at a Hanukkah event in Westminster Hall before Christmas. Before that, the Speaker had travelled with the Ambassador to meet the Israeli Speaker as part of the Israeli leg of his Middle East visit in November 2023.

An announcement has confirmed that the Commons Speaker will meet with Husam Said Zomlot after Prime Minister’s Questions.

While the Union Flag and Commons flag are flown from the Speaker’s flag poles in New Palace Yard, it has been revealed that this will be replaced by the Palestine flag during the visit.

Think tank Policy Exchange revealed the plans, describing them as “extremely odd”. Iain Mansfield, Director of Research at Policy Exchange, said:

“This is baffling behaviour by the Speaker. The UK does not recognise the state of Palestine. Should the Speaker be committing the entire House of Commons to such a controversial position on the current conflict? Is Speaker-led diplomacy really appropriate in this case? It is hardly impartial. Mr Speaker has serious questions to answer – not least from the many Parliamentarians who may not share his views.”
George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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22 COMMENTS

  1. Are the flags of the Countries of foreign visitors being flown the norm? If so then why not fly this one, for one presumes the Israeli flag would be flown in similar circumstances, if not however then this is indeed a strange decision and one that will only cause division. .

    • Yes is the answer. “The Speaker regularly meets with international dignitaries and visitors, a key component of his role in leading the UK’s parliamentary diplomacy. When these meetings take place at the House of Commons, the flag of their country will also be flown.”

      The argument above seems to revolve around us not recognising Palestine as a state. Its all rather pathetic, given we have pushed the two state solution since 1948.

      • The question though is who exactly is representing the ‘Palestinian State’? Fateh, for the time being, control the West Bank but Gaza is controlled by Hamas (arguably Israel as well now). Which of these should be represented at Parliament? Hamas are a terrorist group who were elected into office by the Gazan people, and then promptly murdered the opposition and have not held another election since. They have also rejected the two state solution and are only really interested in destroying Israel. Perhaps there should be a 3-state solution?

  2. Seems odd to me, but if it has been done for visiting diplomats before then I don’t really see an issue

    • We do it for countrys that we recognise not for areas we don’t just like when Corbyn brought in some people from the IRA we didn’t fly a flag for the IRA or had isis had anyone visit us I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t fly the ISIS flag

  3. If it is normal policy then fine, let’s face it most of the civilised world recognises the need for a 2 state solution.
    But if it isn’t then no, absolutely no.

  5. Has the Speaker lost his mind? Is he dumb to what the Palestinians endorse and their aim or is he just plain dumb? I think he is. The country doesn’t recognise Palestine. The Palestinians rejected a two state solution. Symbols are important and Hamas are the new Nazis. I expect more from the Speaker he is the Servant of the Commons not the Undertaker he should remember that.

    • I feel like an alien now in the country I grew up. Nothing makes sense anymore and wrong is right and right is wrong. As Kurt Vonnegut stated “A Sane person in an insane society must appear insane”. I think I must be insane…really I must be insane…

  8. Nice and simple only British flag on flag poles. Have a dedicated visitor pole that is only to be used in a certain set of occasions.
    One flag should not replace another. Only in addition too I would think.

      • All these situations that probably require 10 committee’s to agree on something normally have a simple solution.
        Glad the story is a fake. Hope it hasn’t spread too far as not all would be as good as this site to clarify that

  10. This is just normal diplomacy. Don’t know why accusations are flying against the speaker of the house on this matter.
    Nothing to see. Move on.

  11. the speakers flagpoles were put up in 2021, they are used to send a message of welcome lindsay said. 3 poles at ground level i suppose outside his office. politicians have to meet people they may not agree with.

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