Arab Community Conference in London: From Humanitarian Aid to Political Influence
The “Arab London” platform in Britain organized the Arab Community Conference on Sunday, June 29, 2025. The inaugural session, held under the theme “Loyalty to Palestine’s Friends” in London, aimed to unify the community and build an influential presence that goes beyond charitable work toward organized and impactful political action on the Palestinian cause. The conference was opened by Mohamed Amin, Editor-in-Chief of Arab London, who emphasized the complex challenges facing the community—from the rise of far-right extremism to the repercussions of the Gaza aggression and integration issues—stressing the need for coordinated efforts and a unified vision to activate the potential of Arabs in Britain.
During the opening session, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Hossam Zamlout, highlighted that around £1 billion in donations from Arab and Muslim communities in Britain is directed annually to humanitarian work, while less than 1% goes to strategic efforts. He stated: “We are bleeding and need bandages, but it is not enough to merely treat the wounds. We must eliminate the causes of bleeding at their roots.” Zamlout added that Palestinian communities abroad have donated over $4 billion to support Palestinian causes, making them among the most generous communities worldwide relative to their size, yet contributions to so-called “strategic work” do not exceed $45 million annually—equivalent to just $3 per person per year.
Strategic work refers to efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation, achieving liberation, and alleviating suffering, primarily through the battle of narrative, which seeks to reclaim and protect the Palestinian narrative from distortion, as carried out by media platforms like Arab London. Legal avenues are also crucial, as activists emphasize that international law supports the Palestinian cause, but it has often been weaponized to shut down Palestinian institutions under weak legal pretexts, despite the presence of highly skilled Palestinian legal experts capable of turning the situation around.
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, stressed the importance of the “narrative battle” in the West, noting that massive demonstrations in London and other European cities have “exposed the occupation.” He called on the community to harness this popular momentum to achieve tangible political influence within parliaments. Chris Doyle, Executive Director of the British-Arab Understanding Council, noted that Arabs in Britain have made significant progress since the 1990s, with prominent figures of Arab origin reaching influential positions, such as MP Layla Moran and Financial Times editor Rola Khalaf, but urged that this progress be leveraged to build meaningful political influence.
Palestinian-British writer and physician Ghada Karmi warned against reducing the conflict to the Israeli occupation alone, arguing that the problem is broader and involves an international system that allows crimes to go unpunished. She urged the community to understand the structure of Western societies and engage strategically, without compromising identity. Similarly, Sabah Al-Mukhtar, honorary president of the conference and former president of the Arab Lawyers Association, emphasized preserving the identity of new generations, advocating for balanced integration that combines societal engagement with cultural belonging through effective educational and cultural initiatives.
British doctor Graeme Groom, who volunteered in Gaza, shared his testimony about the massacres he documented, stating that the experience changed his life entirely and calling for continued international pressure to stop the war. A recorded message from Dr. Victoria Rose, who worked alongside him, thanked the community for honoring her and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause. Journalist and activist Dalal Jebril urged participants to move beyond personal differences and focus on common goals, stating: “Despite the complexities of the political scene, hope remains when we unite under one message: action before words, and the public interest above individual ambitions.”
Honors and Recommendations
The conference concluded by honoring a number of Arab and British figures supporting Palestine, including Drs. Groom and Rose, journalist Miriam Franco, Professor Amin Al-Habaybeh, activist Bin Jamal, athlete Jalal Shaheen, and the late Moroccan journalist Ayoub Al-Rimi.
The final recommendations of the conference included establishing a unified Arab institution and a high council to coordinate community efforts, forming a strong Arab lobby within British politics, supporting younger generations through student and volunteer initiatives, launching an independent Arabic radio station addressing community concerns, and crafting an effective electoral strategy reflecting the growing voting power of Arabs in Britain.
The Arab Community Conference was established in June 2023 by the Arab London platform and includes representatives from various Arab communities across the UK, aiming to unify efforts and strengthen Arabs’ political and cultural influence in British society.