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Recent Articles
- UN Security Council hears a six-point basis for peace in Palestine/Israel
- ‘If UNRWA imploded tomorrow, there’d be no alternative’
- ‘Iron Wall’: How Israel is demographically re-engineering the West Bank
- Written evidence submitted to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee by the Balfour Project Charity (IPC0039)
- What should the UK do to help resolve the Palestine/Israel conflict?
- ‘Bomb the area, gas the tunnels’: Israel’s unbridled war on Gaza’s underground
- When captivity is the price of courage
- UNRWA and the Palestinian Refugees at a Crossroads with Dr Lex Takkenberg
- What to do when the US President advocates the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians?
- KS3-5 Lecture & Q&A
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Author Archives: Diana Safieh
The role of non-violent resistance for Palestinians in the light of the Gaza war with Jonathan Kuttab
14th November 2024 Jonathan Kuttab is a co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and co-founder of Nonviolence International. A well-known international human rights lawyer, Jonathan practices in the US, Palestine and Israel. He serves on the Board of … Continue reading
The UK abstained at the UN General Assembly on Palestine and Israel earlier this week – here is what the Government needs to do now
On 18 September the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to adopt a resolution which reaffirms the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 19 July 2024. The vote followed a debate concerning Israeli actions in occupied East … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Current Positions, Letters, News
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They’re building another wall
By Lara Bird-Leakey Three months ago, a small village in Area C called Um al-Khair suffered the worst demonstration of settler colonial violence and annexation in the West Bank since 7th October. Seemingly random settler violence ripped through the village … Continue reading
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What should the Government do now?
Richard Burden and Dr Phyllis Starkey, both former Labour MPs and both Balfour Project Trustees, set out eight targets for Keir Starmer’s Government to restore balance to UK policy. This entails more effective measures with regards to Israel and affirmation … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Britain's current role
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Understanding Hamas: Palestinian resistance from the PLO onwards with Helena Cobban
24th October 2024 Helena Cobban is a writer and researcher on international affairs who lives in Washington DC. In 1984, Cambridge U.P. published her seminal study The Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Three of her six other sole-authored books dealt with political … Continue reading
‘The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza’ followed by Q&A with Director Kavitha Chekuru
Watch film here Watch Q&A with director Kavitha Chekuru From air strikes to field executions, Fault Lines investigates the killings of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza and the role of the United States in the war. As Israel’s … Continue reading
Getting to the truth about Israel’s assault on West Bank towns, villages, refugee camps
By Richard Burden 2 Sept 2024 In June 2023, I visited a hospital in Nablus, in the Israel-occupied West Bank, a few hours after it had been surrounded by Israeli troops. The attacks that have been launched on West Bank … Continue reading
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How to prevent the erasure of Palestinians with Tamara El-Halawani & Dr Zahira Jaser
2nd October 2024 Tamara El-Halawani is a research assistant at the SOAS ICOP project and a recent MSc graduate in International Politics from SOAS University, London. She is currently completing a dissertation on ‘The Erasure of Palestinians on social media.’ Prior … Continue reading
A Palestinian woman vanishes — under British-era law
On 6 April this year (2024), amid steadily increasing Israeli aggression and oppression in the occupied Palestinian territory of the West Bank, Israeli security agents seized at gunpoint a 23-year-old Palestinian woman, Layan Nasir, taking her from her home in … Continue reading
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The US diplomatic strategy on Israel and Gaza is not working
By Daniel Levy US policies strengthen Benjamin Netanyahu – whose political preference in the short term is an open-ended war, not a deal. Kamala Harris should not continue this (This article appeared in The Guardian on 27 Aug 2024) The Biden … Continue reading
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The United Kingdom, Israel and Palestine: Recognition Q and A
Click here to download this as a Word document. Preamble Labour Party election manifesto, 2024 “Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Britain's current role, Current Positions
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Survivor’s guilt in the Palestinian diaspora
By Diana Safieh This article first appeared in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs of August/September 2024, pp. 20-2 ON 6 JUNE this year, at a Balfour Project conference in London, Palestinian political analyst Nour Odeh discussed the unique … Continue reading
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The struggle for freedom is longer and harder than we imagine
By Richard Sewell 2 August 2024 People must not avert their eyes from the conflict in the Holy Land, writes Richard Sewell in a personal reflection from Jerusalem In 1955, the Anglican priest and monk (and later bishop) Trevor Huddleston was recalled … Continue reading
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Reimagining Zionism: the leaders who opposed the creation of a Jewish state
A historian of the Middle East recalls the passionate Zionists who opposed such an entity as a distraction from the goal of ‘true Zionism’, which was to create a land where Arabs and Jews would flourish together. By JOHN MCHUGO … Continue reading
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Why the West created a new dictionary for Israel and Palestine
By Joseph Massad Wed 31 Jul 2024 Jewish Voice for Labour introduction Joseph Massad, professor of modern Arab politics and intellectual history at Columbia University, in New York City, looks at the conscious effort that goes into framing the way … Continue reading
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The Beijing Palestinian reconciliation agreement: an opportunity not to be missed
By Menachem Klein 31/07/2024 The Palestinian reconciliation agreement signed in Beijing on 22 July[1] did not attract much attention. It is easy to understand why. Many agreements like it have been signed between Fatah and Hamas since the 1980s and have … Continue reading
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Monitoring Progress on Balfour Project asks of our Labour Government
Successes so far: Summary We asked the Government, through David Lammy, the new Foreign Secretary to change its predecessor’s policy now in several ways, consistent with the comprehensive Action Points produced after our annual conference in June. The results so far are: … Continue reading
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‘I’m bored, so I shoot’: The Israeli army’s approval of free-for-all violence in Gaza
By Oren Ziv, July 8, 2024 Israeli soldiers describe the near-total absence of firing regulations in the Gaza war, with troops shooting as they please, setting homes ablaze and leaving corpses on the streets — all with their commanders’ permission In … Continue reading
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ICJ rules Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal; Balfour Project urges UK support
Today, the ICJ has delivered its Opinion: the 1967 Israeli occupation is unlawful. The Balfour Project supports this Opinion and calls on the British Government to do so. In 2022 the UN General Assembly asked the ICJ two questions: What … Continue reading
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A New Judaism?
Menachem Klein explores how Israel’s rule over the Palestinians has created a new form of the religion Originally published in Logos. A fundamental question: “Are we, Israelis, still Jews?”, asked the philosopher Ernest Simon in 1953.[1] What looks like a … Continue reading
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Israel and Palestine – A durable peace must be based on human rights & justice
30th July 2024 with Kristyan Benedict, Crisis Response Manager for Amnesty International UK Kristyan Benedict manages Amnesty International UK’s Crisis Response Programme, focusing on armed conflict, mass repression, and UK foreign policy. His work has involved working with and supporting activists … Continue reading
UK Election 2024: the parties reply on Gaza
In answer to the Balfour Project’s request to the four main Westminster parties for their positions on the Gaza situation and the wider crisis in Israel/Palestine, in particular the list of demands that emerged from our annual conference in London … Continue reading
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Israel’s settlers on the rampage in Masafer Yatta threaten to obliterate Umm al-Khair
The Balfour Project’s Lara Bird-Leakey reports on the latest settler raids in the South Hebron Hills and the imminent erasure of a Palestinian community “The worst day ever in Umm Al-Khair. The Israeli occupation forces are destroying people’s homes. So … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint
Tagged Palestine
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Become a Friend of the Balfour Project
Sign up to monthly donations of any amount to become a Friend of the Balfour Project. This helps with admin costs and planning our future, and entitles you to exclusive Friends meetings as well as discounted and free tickets to … Continue reading
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The Zionist lobby’s war on telling the truth about Palestine
LOBBYING FOR ZIONISM On both sides of the Atlantic By Ilan Pappe ONEWORLD ISBN 978-0-86154-402-8 £30, $40 US Review By Peter Oborne, 20 June, 2024 (First published by Middle East Eye) No review has yet been published of Professor Ilan … Continue reading
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What the Government must do to uphold equal rights
Vincent Fean May I draw your attention to a strong new economic document called Palestine Emerging. You will find it on a website:a website: www.palestine-emerging.org. It’s not a political document, but it is based on the assumption that there will … Continue reading
How young people bring about change
Kira Nygren, Adrian Kreutz, Lily Wood (Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellows), chaired by Matan Rosenstrauch (Fellowship Programme Coordinator) Kira Nygren – Settler Violence in Area C Adrian Kreutz – Israel Arms Suspension Lily Wood – Israel Arms Suspension, Recognise Palestine, … Continue reading
Imad Karam and Mohammed Ghalayini: Gaza testimony
Imad Karam I was born and brought up in Gaza. I’ve lived in Britain for the last 22 years. My whole family is in the north of Gaza today. More than 70 of my relatives have died. The latest one … Continue reading
Introductions
Adam Sutcliffe, Professor of History, King’s College London My research is on Jewish history and on Jewish/non-Jewish relations. I’ve written on the history of antisemitism. I’ve also written and edited a book on the history of philosemitism – the tradition … Continue reading
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Israeli authorities, Palestinian armed groups responsible for war crimes, grave violations of international law, UN Inquiry finds
The June-July 2024 report of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, primarily on Gaza and Southern Israel but also including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, finds that on 7 Oct last year, … Continue reading
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Church Times Letter to the Editor: Pensions Board and Palestinians
Letter to the Editor, Church Times, 7 June 2024 From the Rt Revd Michael Doe (Balfour Project Trustee), the Very Revd Nicholas Frayling (Chair of the Balfour Project Advisory Forum), and the Rt Revd John Pritchard (Balfour Project Patron) Sir, … Continue reading
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Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International
Transcript from our ‘Peace with Justice – how to get there’ Conference in London on 6th June 2024. Since October we have been plunged back to a future we don’t want, one we were all promised would never recur. The 1948 Universal … Continue reading
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Middle East Peace
The Times of London has published this letter from John Bond, a founding member of the Balfour Project and a member of the Balfour Project Advisory Forum. Sir, I disagree with the assertion in your leading article that any democratic government … Continue reading
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The challenges ahead, with Daniel Levy and Nour Odeh
Transcript from our ‘Peace with Justice – how to get there’ Conference in London on 6th June 2024. Daniel Levy Confusion reigns since President Biden gave his ceasefire speech on 31 May. The White House then issued a statement signed … Continue reading
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Gaza war ‘may be a curtain call’ for international order, Amnesty chief warns
Israel’s war on Gaza may be “a curtain call” for the post-World War Tw0 international rules-based order, Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard said on Thursday. “The gravity of the violations being committed, the fact that we are witnessing them … Continue reading
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Urge your candidate to commit for British recognition of Palestine NOW
Britain must recognise Palestine. It is a step towards upholding the Palestinian right of self-determination – a fundamental right under international law. Most UN member states have already recognised Palestine. Recognition cannot be dependent on negotiations, as the British Government … Continue reading
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CONFERENCE: Peace with Justice – how to get there
6 June 2024 at Bush House KCL and online Bush House, 30 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BG Download Conference Photographs Conference Summary Report Conference Action Plan Email Your MP on Recognition of Palestine Conference Highlights Reel Scroll to the bottom of … Continue reading
KS5 Source Analysis Masterclass
This KS5 source analysis masterclass empowers students with the tools – critical source analysis training – and informed historical knowledge, to decipher and interrogate historical narratives and representations of Palestine and Israel. The interactive masterclass fosters a more nuanced discourse … Continue reading
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What We Offer
Find the Balfour Project Mission statement here. Our workshops ‘Colonial Practices and Resistance in Mandatory Palestine 1922-1948’ Through unique access to a curated archive, this 90-minute source analysis masterclass empowers students to interrogate historical narratives and representations, fosters open conversation, … Continue reading
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An expose of Israel’s covert war on the ICC
Top Israeli Government and security officials have overseen a nine-year surveillance operation targeting the International Criminal Court and Palestinian rights groups to try to thwart a war crimes probe, reveals a joint investigation by +972, Local Call and The Guardian … Continue reading
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Like Ireland and more than 140 other countries, it is time the UK recognised the state of Palestine
Article in The Independent, 27 May 2024 For more than a century, Britain has shown scant respect for Palestinian rights, says our former envoy in Jerusalem, Sir Vincent Fean – we must now play our part in creating a framework … Continue reading
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Escaping Rafah: a Palestinian on the run
Sami abu Salem, fleeing south down Gaza with his family, pursued by the Israeli war machine—bombs, drones, rockets, snipers—finds himself in Rafah. He reports here to Mike Joseph, who is chronicling Sami’s plight for the Balfour Project.
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Balfour Project Action Points for UK Government
Peace with Justice – how to get there Email your MP on Recognition of Palestine 6 June Conference Tickets & Info Balfour Project Action Points for UK Government The Hamas attack of 7th October 2023 and the on-going Israeli destruction … Continue reading
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Balfour Project calls on Britain to back the International Criminal Court
The announcement by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan KC, that he has applied for arrest warrants against the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister as well as three Hamas leaders over the events of 7 October … Continue reading
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Email your MP to push for British recognition of Palestine NOW
Palestinian self-determination is key to the wellbeing of Palestinians – and of Israelis. The British Government has wasted 10 years and more, waiting for “the right time” to recognise the State of Palestine. Now is the time to recognise Palestine, … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy
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Queen Rania of Jordan: ‘What’s happening in Gaza today… is a war crime’
Special guest Queen Rania of Jordan discusses the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Israel-Hamas war in this exclusive one-on-one with The ReidOut on MSNBC. “What’s happening in Gaza today… is a war crime,” Queen Rania tells Joy Reid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDxe9JFsfzc&ab_channel=MSNBC
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Getting aid into Gaza with Mr Andrea De Domenico, Head of OCHA in the OPT
1st May 2024 Watch webinar Listen to audio/podcast Andrea De Domenico brings more than twenty years of experience in humanitarian assistance and emergency relief both in the field and in headquarters. Between 1998 and 2005 he has worked in Albania, … Continue reading
Israel’s Government is eliminating the Green Line – with money
Budget by budget, law by law: from forcing mobile phone companies to expand coverage in the occupied territories to laws that facilitate the transfer of public funds to settlements, Netanyahu’s far-right government is working towards de facto annexation By Tali … Continue reading
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Gaza A Story Of Love And War – with Mike Joseph and Sami Abu Salem
https://youtu.be/uApMOQxAJGc GAZA A Story of Love and War is on cinema release from August 14 2024 [Certificate 12A] In 2023, Balfour Project hosted the first season of Mike Joseph’s audio series, KEYS A Troubled Inheritance. Balfour Project now supports the … Continue reading