On the evening of October 12, I sat down in the back row of Younger Hall with my friend to hear the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zumlot, speak with students.
I wasn’t surprised to see the lecture hall packed. Students from all years, studying IR, History, and beyond, had turned up. Some had prior knowledge of the political and historical context surrounding his visit, while others were simply curious.
An ambassador’s role
If you’re not an IR student, you might be wondering about the significance of an ambassador, or why the presence of a Palestinian ambassador was particularly important. The UK only recognised Palestine as a state in September 2025, and Husam Zumlot, who had been leading the Palestinian diplomatic mission to the UK, became the official Ambassador in January this year. An ambassador represents the interests and voice of their country abroad, building relationships, speaking to the public and engaging with host governments. Ambassadors are often active on platforms such as X and Instagram, but it’s a rare opportunity to attend an event like this one.
A speech from the heart
The ambassador spoke without notes, delivering his remarks in a calm but passionate way. His speech and responses to questions were reflective and thoughtful, but also funny. The audience clearly enjoyed his references and jokes about St Andrews culture, and his appreciation for us as an audience made his message seem more personal. When speaking about Palestine’s history, he drew on his own life experience and emphasised the ties between the people and place of Palestine.
Notably, he praised the British and global publics for their response, while accusing Western governments of being slow and hesitant to act. The historical links between Britain and Palestine made the lack of government action all the more significant, and he welcomed the new government’s approach. However, recognition of Palestine by the UK and other governments had come too late and didn’t go far enough. His statement that “history did not begin on October 7” encapsulated perfectly the need for historical responsibility and awareness on this subject.
What struck me was how directly he spoke to us as the audience. His decision to speak without notes and his genuine delivery meant it didn’t seem like a rehearsed political speech. It also highlighted the vital role of ambassadors in building relationships rather than simply being mouthpieces for a foreign government. The ambassador encouraged students to keep speaking out, telling us not to let ourselves be censored as we are the ones who generate change. His message was relevant to every student, no matter their degree, views or post-graduation plans: that university is one of the few places we are lucky enough to hear from people like this, ask questions, debate and decide what to think for ourselves.
The importance of respect
It should be acknowledged that the event centred on one perspective, the Palestinian experience, specifically from a representative of state institutions rather than the entirety of the Palestinian people. But it was regardless significant for Palestinian voices to be heard in academic and official channels as a step to a more equal discourse. The overall tone of the event promoted open-mindedness and listening, and throughout the speeches, conversation with Carnegie and Q&A ,the hosts asked for a respectful environment. The questions asked by Carnegie, MENA and students were well chosen to expand the discussion into Palestinian democracy, the olive harvest and settler violence, and Palestine’s relationship to the international community.
My takeaways
From my perspective, the evening didn’t feel hostile or tense. Politics in general is becoming more polarised and it can be difficult to engage in debate for fear of saying the wrong thing, making a political statement, or feeling you don’t know enough to have a real opinion. That’s why the event was so important as a well-moderated discussion that educated and included the audience, without shying away from the ambassador’s message.
I was proud to think that I’m a student at a university where events like this can be organised and brought to life by the student community. Between deadlines and lectures, it’s easy to forget that there is valuable knowledge to be found outside tutorials and reading lists. We’re incredibly lucky to have the opportunity for events such as this that value freedom of speech and education, in an environment of relative peace and security.