During conflict, fostering a sense of belonging can counterpose displacement. This six-floor hub in Central London provides a place to do just that.
Located in High Holborn, Palestine House is a lively cultural hub. The entrance, adorned with a flashing sign that reads, ‘Stop The Genocide’, is hard to miss. What lies beyond, however, is a little-known haven.
This is part of its allure, says founder Osama Qashoo, “it gives you that bit of privacy, but also the loudness of public.”
Built and designed by Palestinians, the architecture emulates an authentic Palestinian cafe. As you enter, a large key hangs from the atrium – a symbol of the right to return home.
Ascending a tiled staircase, warm with yellow-washed walls, more powerful reminders of its namesake.
Opening its doors in mid-2024, this building is the result of a seventeen-year vision by Osama Qashoo. Forced to leave Palestine due to his resistance against occupation, Qashoo settled in the UK where he worked in film, activism and business.
First, he opened Hiba, a Palestinian-Lebanese restaurant chain beneath what is now Palestine House. Qashoo’s vision, with both Hiba and Palestine House, was to create a cultural space in London where he could be himself and share that feeling with other refugees, regardless of nationality.
On Sundays, the building comes alive for brunch. Following a medley of multilingual conversations, visitors sit at long, communal tables adorned with red, green and white geometric cloth.
Children run between chairs, and trays of traditional food arrive, including labneh, falafel, eggs, pickled vegetables, hummus, warm pita, and a freshly steeped pot of black tea.
“Sometimes you come here to dance, to work, to sing, to learn Arabic, to fight, to have a debate, to have a concert, to have whatever,” says Qashoo as he stands in front of this week’s brunch guests.
Hosting up to three events a day, accommodating 180 people at a time, Palestine House is designed to be a “chameleon”. Events range from tatreez workshops and coworking to educational talks, brunch, film screenings, and live performances.
The variety allows guests to spend a full day experiencing different parts of the community.
Known as ‘PalHouse’ on Instagram, the importance of this community hub lies in its emphasis on in-person connection.
Qashoo explains that in a “cloud-based” world dominated by online interaction, meaningful change requires physical spaces; “if we create venues and projects that are ground-based, and the cloud based projects rain on it, then it can grow some beautiful projects and greeneries.”
The intention to enable collaborative projects resonates deeply with its community members, “when I walked into Palestine House, it reminded me of home — it felt like the warm hug I have been longing for,” says Sara, a volunteer at Palestine House.
As a Lebanese woman now living in London, she feels a sense of shared grief and resilience with her Palestinian neighbours.
In this way, PalHouse has become a refuge for those missing home, “this space is not just for Palestinians — it is for anyone who shares similar values, struggles, or experiences of displacement.”
Nami traveled from California and discovered Palestine House by chance while searching online for community spaces. She saved it for her trip to London and immediately signed up for the tatreez workshop, and then later the Sunday brunch.
Throughout brunch, she was intent on finishing her tatreez project to give as a thank you to the teacher before she left.
“This place serves as a safe space for all who want to learn more about Palestine and the Palestinian cause. Through the sharing of culture, art, and food, people of all walks can come and learn more context and gain more insight about the people who are affected by war,” Nami explains.
During brunch, a man named John leans over to Nami to ask what she’s working on. He has travelled from Bristol to London with his family to attend the brunch at Palestine House.
John’s wife is Palestinian and he emphasises the importance of sharing and celebrating Palestinian culture with their children. This holiday, they replaced gifts with the shared brunch.
Beyond its cultural impact in London, Palestine House has created over sixteen projects on the ground in Gaza including water and meal distribution, and setting up family medical clinics. PalHouse is a link between the Palestinian diaspora and their homeland, emphasising the importance of engagement.
“We can launch a beacon, a minaret of light, from London … and show people in America and across the world that these things can be done,” says Qashoo. The hope is that in demonstrating the ways in which this is possible, other countries will be inspired to do the same.
Qashoo finishes with words of inspiration, “If we can’t go to Palestine, we’re gonna create a little bit of resemblance to Palestine.” He believes that through song, style, art, and community, Palestine House can make the world a better place.
In the midst of the attempts to erase Palestinian culture, a tangible space dedicated to preservation is more important than ever.
All images courtesy of Rasha Kotaiche.