London Hosts First Arab Diaspora Conference: “Loyalty to Friends of Palestine”

Watan-The first Arab Diaspora Conference concluded in London under the title “Loyalty to Friends of Palestine.” Attendees called for the formation of a powerful Arab lobbying group to influence UK policy in favor of the Palestinian cause and broader Arab issues.

The conference recommended the establishment of a unifying Arab institution that would serve as an umbrella for the entire diaspora, along with a supreme council to coordinate between associations. It also emphasized the need to engage second and third-generation Arabs in voluntary, student, and political activities to boost positive integration and civic participation.

Key initiatives proposed included launching an Arabic-language radio station dedicated to diaspora issues and converting widespread solidarity with Palestine into political action—particularly in Parliament—by leveraging the community’s electoral weight to elect Arab MPs. The conference also emphasized positive integration without assimilation.

Mohammed Amin, Editor-in-Chief of Arab London Platform, which organized the event, explained that the advisory council chose the conference theme to honor long-time allies of the Palestinian cause, including British doctors Dr. Graeme Groom and Dr. Victoria Rose, who volunteered in Gaza and were honored during the event.

In his opening speech, Amin noted that the Arab community in Britain faces major challenges—chief among them, Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has continued into its second year. He said it was a shocking testament to the failure of international law to stop mass killings, starvation, and destruction. He also pointed to rising right-wing political rhetoric, anti-migrant hostility, and the social, economic, and cultural challenges of integration.

Dr. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, urged reactivation of Arab diaspora unions and coordination between them, noting the significant Arab and Muslim presence in Britain as a powerful voting bloc. He highlighted a major shift in British public opinion in favor of Palestinian rights and attributed this change to the consistent efforts of the Arab diaspora and Palestinian allies.

Guest of honor Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative, stressed the critical role of Arab communities in the West in shaping the narrative. He praised the massive demonstrations across Western capitals, which he said morally shook the Israeli regime and exposed the brutality of the Zionist project. Barghouti called on the diaspora to unite, influence parliaments, and pressure Western governments to support Palestinian justice.

Despite the genocide in Gaza, Barghouti emphasized the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the urgent need to support their resilience both inside and outside Palestine, including intensified efforts to halt the war.

Sabah Al-Mukhtar, President of the Arab Lawyers Association and honorary president of the conference, expressed joy over the launch of the event. He stressed the need for the community to come together to face challenges, especially those related to preserving the identity of younger generations, and reiterated the diaspora’s central role in supporting Palestine.

Dr. Graeme Groom, the British doctor known for his documented footage of the Gaza massacre, spoke of the horrors he witnessed. He described the mission as one of the most important endeavors of his life. Dr. Victoria Rose sent a video message thanking the Arab community and reaffirming her support for the Palestinian cause.

In the presence of Ambassador Zomlot and Dr. Barghouti, the conference honored several distinguished pro-Palestinian figures, including:

• Dr. Graeme Groom

• Dr. Victoria Rose

• Dr. Myriam Francois, a British journalist and activist

• Professor Amin Al-Habayeb, Director of Product Innovation at Nottingham Trent University

• The late journalist Ayoub Arimi (award received by his wife)

• Ben Jamal, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

• International chess champion Jalal Shaheen

The Arab Diaspora Conference was founded in June 2023 in London by the Arab London Platform, bringing together intellectuals, journalists, writers, and academics from various Arab communities across the UK. It now includes representatives from most Arab diasporas in the country, acting as a unifying umbrella for their collective voice.