THE Palestinian ambassador to Britain offered a message of hope as he addressed Unison’s conference today.

Dr Husam Zamlot opened the international section of the conference agenda by slamming the British government for failing to recognise the state of Palestine and giving away Palestinian land without consultation.

“Whether or not Britain recognises a Palestinian state — Palestine will be free,” he said.

Dr Zamlot said such refusal was one of the roots of the current Israeli onslaught against the Palestinians — not just the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7.

Dr Zamlot said: “Since October 7 more than 38,000 people have been murdered — more than 70 per cent women and children.

“Thousands more lay under the rubble and many more are likely to die from disease and famine.”

He told the conference that “killing on an industrial level had been normalised,” but “hope is still alive. 

“Hope is in the courageous doctors and nurses who continue to perform medical miracles.”

He saw hope as more nations have recognised the state of Palestine, such as Ireland, Norway, Slovenia and Spain.

“The eyes of the world had been opened with massive demonstrations across the world,” he said.

“Not just in big cities but in places such as Bournemouth, which held the biggest demonstration in its history.”

Dr Zamlot said there was also hope from the student encampments.

“These are not kids, they are leaders. We should stop calling them students, they are now teachers,” he said. 

“Despite media complicity and attempts to stifle free speech the eyes of the world will be diverted no longer.”

Dr Zamlot went on to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

He added: “We need to press ahead with the equal application of international law and we need an end to the occupation.”

Moving a successful motion on Palestine, Scottish delegate Tony Slaven reminded delegates that these were all issues that had long been on the union’s agenda.

He said: “We need an incoming Labour government to be bold in demanding Israel take part in peace talks and if they don’t, we should demand boycott, divestment and sanctions measures.”

Liz Wheatley for the NEC said: “Every penny the United States and British governments spend on arms could be spent on our hospitals and other public services.”

North West delegate Glen Williams called for the union to stop using hotels and conference centres that were associated with Israel and the arms trade.