Palestine Festival Marks 20th Year in London with Major Fundraising for Gaza
The twentieth edition of the Palestine Festival brought hundreds of people to Byron Hall in Harrow, northwest London, on Saturday, 22 November 2025. Organised annually by the Palestinian Forum in Britain since 2003, the festival once again highlighted the community’s determination to keep the Palestinian story alive—even from thousands of miles away.
In his keynote address, the Forum’s President Zaher Birawi said this year’s festival stands as “a testament to the resilience of the Palestinian people”, sending a clear message from the heart of London to besieged Gaza that the Palestinian narrative lives on despite every attempt to suppress it.
Birawi described the Israeli assault on Gaza as “a deliberate and systematic act of genocide targeting children, women and civilian infrastructure”, urging that Israeli leaders be held to account as war criminals rather than granted impunity.
He also paid tribute to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, emphasising their continued role in resisting the occupation and sustaining the struggle for liberation.
Speaking after the event, the Forum’s Vice-President Adnan Hmidan said this year’s gathering aimed “to reaffirm our continued solidarity with the people of Gaza, where the genocide has not ceased, and to stand united against settlement expansion in the West Bank and Jerusalem, discrimination against Palestinians inside historic Palestine, and attempts to erase Palestinian identity in the diaspora.”
He added: “Our rights do not expire. The elders may pass on, but the young do not forget.”
The programme featured contributions from a range of speakers addressing humanitarian work, international solidarity and the lived experiences of Palestinians. Among them were Dr Mohammed Tahir, Denise Gough, Leanne Mohammed, Ahmed Alnaouq, Zeinab Kamal, Faris Amer, Lina Khattab and Kieran Andrieu, each offering perspectives on relief efforts, political advocacy and the responsibility of diaspora communities to preserve Palestinian memory.
Honouring Voices of Courage and Accountability
A central segment of the festival recognised individuals and organisations whose work has been pivotal in supporting Gaza and defending Palestinian rights. Those honoured included:
- Dr Mohammed Tahir, the Iraqi–British neurosurgeon who has carried out over 300 complex operations in Gaza under bombardment.
- Dr James Smith, whose medical missions to the Strip in 2024 exposed him to the destruction of its health sector.
- Stephen Kapos, a Holocaust survivor whose moral clarity has challenged attempts to use Holocaust memory to justify violence in Gaza.
- Andrea Gibson, the Plaid Cymru councillor who led Cardiff Council to divest from companies complicit in Israeli war crimes.
- Chris Kunzler, a prominent digital advocate whose social media influence has brought Palestinian voices to younger audiences.
- Aaron “Air” White and Kieran Andrieu, participants in the Global Sumud Freedom Flotilla who were detained by Israeli forces while attempting to break the naval blockade.
Music, Heritage and a Vibrant Cultural Showcase
Culture took centre stage throughout the evening. A standout performance came from the London Arab Orchestra, led by Palestinian–British composer Basel Saleh, whose arrangements wove together classical orchestral sound with traditional Palestinian motifs—drawing a warm and enthusiastic response.
The festival also featured:
- Dabke performances by Al-Fursan Troupe
- A political rap set by Lowkey
- National songs and interactive activities for children
- Authentic dishes prepared by Ayyam Zaman Restaurant
- Fresh kunafa crafted on-site by Chef Samer, who travelled from Jordan for the occasion
Guests were also treated to a striking artwork by Palestinian painter Salim Assi, who travelled from Denmark with a piece depicting the map of Gaza intertwined with the figure of Handala. The artwork sold for more than $8,000 in a live auction—a figure that organisers say would have climbed further had time permitted.
Turning Solidarity into Impact: $50,000 Raised for Gaza
Alongside the cultural programme, the festival hosted a major fundraising effort, collecting more than $50,000 for orphan sponsorships in Gaza and the Winter Relief Campaign.
The generosity reflected a broad base of support—from the Arab and Muslim community in the UK to British allies increasingly engaged with the Palestinian cause.
Attendees travelled from across the country, reaffirming the festival’s role as a unifying space for connection, advocacy and community action.
From London to Edinburgh: The Momentum Continues
Twenty years on, the Palestine Festival remains one of Europe’s most significant Palestinian community events—bringing together culture, art, testimony and humanitarian action in a way that sustains identity across generations.
The gathering closed with a renewed commitment to Gaza and to continuing advocacy efforts.
The Palestinian Forum announced that the celebrations will move next to Scotland, where Edinburgh will host the Edinburgh Palestine Festival on Sunday, 23 November 2025 at Portobello Town Hall, under the theme “United for Gaza”.
London Palestine Festival 2025 – In Images
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