-
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
-
Join our mailing list
-
Category Archives: Current Positions
Toppling Balfour, a talk by Sarah Helm
A live online talk given in July 2020 Welcome everyone. Sarah Helm was a staff correspondent for The Sunday Times and a foreign correspondent for The Independent and she’s written two books, most recently, If This is a Woman about … Continue reading
Posted in Past, Recordings, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on Toppling Balfour, a talk by Sarah Helm
European countries need to recognise the Palestinian state before it’s too late
By Sam Bahour, The Guardian, 12 July 2020 In January, when the Trump administration formally unveiled its long-awaited peace plan for the Israel-Palestine conflict – known as the “deal of the century” – not a Palestinian was in sight, nor … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, News, Recognition
Comments Off on European countries need to recognise the Palestinian state before it’s too late
Over 40 British rabbis write to the UK Israeli embassy opposing annexation
By Alleks Phillips, first published in The Jewish Chronicle, 9 July 2020 Over 40 British rabbis – including former Liberal senior rabbi Danny Rich and outgoing Reform senior rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner – have written to the Israeli embassy in London … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, Current Positions, Letters, News
Comments Off on Over 40 British rabbis write to the UK Israeli embassy opposing annexation
A case for equality in Israel and Palestine
One State? An alternative, authentic Jewish voice By Peter Beinart, Published in on Jewish Currents 7th July 2020. WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A JEW—not just a Jew in name, but a Jew in good standing—today? In Haredi circles, being a real … Continue reading
Posted in News, Recognition, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on A case for equality in Israel and Palestine
Andrew Whitley on The UN, Britain and Palestine/Israel – 1947 to Present Day
A talk given online in June 2020. Andrew Whitley: My thanks to so many of you for taking the trouble today to attend this online talk from the Balfour Project, I hope you will find it stimulating and thought-provoking. It … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Events, Post-Mandate Period, Recognition, Recordings
Comments Off on Andrew Whitley on The UN, Britain and Palestine/Israel – 1947 to Present Day
PM Johnson’s appeal to Israel over annexation
By Andrew Whitley, Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Balfour Project Prime Minister Boris Johnson today published a last-minute appeal to Israel not to proceed with the Netanyahu government’s plans to annex parts of the occupied West … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, Current Positions, News
Comments Off on PM Johnson’s appeal to Israel over annexation
Hidden History of the Balfour Declaration
Washington Report, November 2005, pages 44-50 Special Report by John Cornelius IN THIS article the author relates what he believes to be the true story of how the British government came to issue what has come to be known as … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Declaration, Historical, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on Hidden History of the Balfour Declaration
Joint letter by 1,080 parliamentarians from 25 European countries to European governments and leaders against Israeli annexation of West Bank
23 June 2020 We, parliamentarians from across Europe committed to a rules-based globalorder, share serious concerns about President Trump’s plan for theIsraeli-Palestinian conflict and the imminent prospect of Israeli annexation ofWest Bank territory. We are deeply worried about the precedent … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, News
Comments Off on Joint letter by 1,080 parliamentarians from 25 European countries to European governments and leaders against Israeli annexation of West Bank
By recognising Palestine, Britain can help right the wrongs of the Balfour declaration
By Avi Shlaim This is the full text of a truncated version of Avi Shlaim’s article in The Guardian. The Guardian had edited out the references to Winston Churchill and the Israeli Policy Working Group. The wave of anti-racist protest … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Declaration, Historical, Mandate Period, News, Post-Mandate Period, Recognition
Comments Off on By recognising Palestine, Britain can help right the wrongs of the Balfour declaration
Peel Commission Report 1937
League of Nations 30 November 1937 C.495.M.336.1937.VI.Geneva, November 30th, 1937. LEAGUE OF NATIONS MANDATES P A L E S T I N E ——– REPORT of the PALESTINE ROYAL COMMISSION presented by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to … Continue reading
Posted in Key Documents, Peel Commission Report 1937, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on Peel Commission Report 1937
Church leaders across the globe express deep concern over Israeli plan to annex parts of West Bank
By World Council of Churches, 17 June 2020 Church leaders from across the world are expressing their grave concern over the government of Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. Archbishop Justin Welby and Cardinal Vincent Nichols … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, News
Comments Off on Church leaders across the globe express deep concern over Israeli plan to annex parts of West Bank
Letter to The Telegraph opposing Israeli annexation, 13 June 2020
Opposing the Israeli government’s land grab SIR – From July 1 Israel’s prime minister is set on annexing Palestinian West Bank territory to become part of “Greater Israel”. Annexing the Jordan Valley leaves an enclave around Jericho – a bantustan … Continue reading
Nakba: The forgotten 19th century origins of the Palestinian catastrophe
By Joseph Massad in Middle East Eye The Nakba, Palestinians’ loss of their lands and homes, arguably began in the 1880s with the arrival of the first Zionist Jewish colonists, who evicted Palestinians from land the colonists had purchased from … Continue reading
Posted in Nakba, News, Recognition, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on Nakba: The forgotten 19th century origins of the Palestinian catastrophe
‘Boris Johnson must stand up against an annexation of the West Bank’ – Christian Aid
By William Bell, Head of Middle East, Christian Aid UK and Ireland Last June, an 82-year-old Palestinian refugee called Fayza in Lebanon’s Nahr el-Bared camp wept as she told me: “Palestine is in our bones – it is not something … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, News
Comments Off on ‘Boris Johnson must stand up against an annexation of the West Bank’ – Christian Aid
‘Uncertainty still about West Bank annexation’ – Guardian report
By Oliver Holmes in Jerusalem Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the time is ripe for his country to permanently seize Palestinian territory by annexing swathes of the West Bank. With a US “vision for peace” blueprint largely backing up his expansionist … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, Current Positions, News
Comments Off on ‘Uncertainty still about West Bank annexation’ – Guardian report
We Cannot Justify Israel’s West Bank Annexation – by 40 signatories in Haaretz
In an unprecedented letter to Israel’s UK ambassador, prominent British Jews warn that annexation ‘poses an existential threat to the traditions of Zionism in Britain, and to Israel as we know it’ The following letter was sent by leading members … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, Letters, News, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on We Cannot Justify Israel’s West Bank Annexation – by 40 signatories in Haaretz
A British Palestinian Perspective: Welcome to the Palestine archipelago
by Ahmad Samih Khalidi Trump’s so called “deal of the century” is an assault on the Palestinian narrative even before it is an assault on their rights. Perhaps, the most extraordinary aspect of the Trump plan dubbed the “deal of … Continue reading
Boris Johnson has to stand up to Netanyahu’s annexation plans – for the sake of the Palestinians and peace – by Donald Macintyre
Published in the Independent 30 May 2020 Whatever Boris Johnson’s troubles, he can always comfort himself that unlike the prime minister of a British ally 3,000 miles away, he’s not running the country while simultaneously being tried on corruption charges. But … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, News
Comments Off on Boris Johnson has to stand up to Netanyahu’s annexation plans – for the sake of the Palestinians and peace – by Donald Macintyre
Now is the time for true negotiations, not annexation
By Alistair Burt Courtesy of Arab News Three notable interventions from UK sources this week gave an indication that the country’s long relationship with and support for the state of Israel is imminently facing its greatest ever test. Almost 130 … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, News
Comments Off on Now is the time for true negotiations, not annexation
Palestine/Israel, the FCO and No 10 – briefing by Sir Jeremy Greenstock
Retired Foreign Office Political Director Sir Jeremy Greenstock talked recently with the Balfour Project Peace Advocacy Fellows about British policy on Palestine/Israel, and answered questions about British Government recognition of Palestine, which he supports, and Israeli annexation plans – which … Continue reading
Posted in Recognition, Recordings
Comments Off on Palestine/Israel, the FCO and No 10 – briefing by Sir Jeremy Greenstock
Israeli Ex-Ambassador to South Africa raises the Apartheid question
By Alon Liel Published in the Palestine-Israel Journal The “Deal of the Century,” which was publicly released in January 2020, changes the reality of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even if the plan itself is never implemented. The likelihood that a future Israeli … Continue reading
Posted in News
Comments Off on Israeli Ex-Ambassador to South Africa raises the Apartheid question
Podcast: Vincent Fean on the ICC, Trade Agreements and Umbrella Organisations
Diana Safieh: A question from Sara Apps, is there an opportunity to unlock the blockage on the ICC application? What best can we do to help? Vincent Fean: Palestine joined the International Criminal Court in 2015 after the UN General … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Britain's current role, Recordings
Comments Off on Podcast: Vincent Fean on the ICC, Trade Agreements and Umbrella Organisations
Podcast: Vincent Fean on Israeli Annexation and International Law
Q&A Session with Sir Vincent Fean, Chair of the Balfour Project Vincent Fean: It’s a pleasure to be with you. I think it’s important for us to address questions raised by participants at the 2 April talk. We will try … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Current Positions, Recordings
Comments Off on Podcast: Vincent Fean on Israeli Annexation and International Law
Letter to Boris Johnson on Israeli annexation 1 May 2020
Click here to read the Guardian article.
Posted in Britain's current role, Letters, News, Recognition
Comments Off on Letter to Boris Johnson on Israeli annexation 1 May 2020
Vincent Fean on Annexation, International Law and Recognition
Q&A Session with Sir Vincent Fean, Chair of the Balfour Project Vincent Fean: It’s a pleasure to be with you. I think it’s important for us to address questions raised by participants at the 2 April talk. We will try … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Recordings
Comments Off on Vincent Fean on Annexation, International Law and Recognition
Prioritising peace and cooperation in the Middle East in the midst of COVID-19
Statement by Ambassador James Roscoe, acting UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on Middle East Peace Process Published 23 April 2020 Mr President, as others have said this morning, COVID-19 is a global crisis … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, Letters, News
Comments Off on Prioritising peace and cooperation in the Middle East in the midst of COVID-19
Balfour Project: writing to your MP about Britain and Palestine/Israel
Here is a template for your letter to your constituency MP. Please amend as you see fit, adding your address, to show the MP that you are a constituent. You can copy and paste the draft into a letter or … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Current Positions, Letters, News
Comments Off on Balfour Project: writing to your MP about Britain and Palestine/Israel
Letter from Claudia Beamish MSP to Dominic Raab MP
This is a letter from Claudia Beamish MSP Member of the Scottish Parliament for South Scotland, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State.
Posted in Britain's current role, Current Positions, Letters, News
Comments Off on Letter from Claudia Beamish MSP to Dominic Raab MP
Letter from Lisa Nandy MP to Dominic Raab MP
This is a letter from Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to the Rt Hon Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State
UK Government affirms its position that Israel’s annexation plans of occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law
In a response to a letter to the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab from Caabu Chair Rt Hon David Jones MP, the Foreign Office and DFID Minister responsible to the Middle East, Rt Hon James Cleverly MP has affired the UK … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, News
Comments Off on UK Government affirms its position that Israel’s annexation plans of occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law
Thoughts on Nabil Fahmy’s suggestions for Palestinian policy
Click here to read Nabil Fahmy’s The “Deal” of the Century? Nabil Fahmy writes: ‘The Trump plan imposes Israeli security and economic control over a self-autonomous Palestinian entity’ Below are Sir Vincent Fean’s thoughts on Fahmy’s suggestions. Dr Nabil Fahmy, … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, Balfour Project viewpoint, News, USA
Comments Off on Thoughts on Nabil Fahmy’s suggestions for Palestinian policy
‘Annexation would close door on Israeli-Palestinian talks’
UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov spoke as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White Party heads are at odds over whether the next government would impose sovereignty over West Bank settlements. By TOVAH LAZAROFF MARCH 31, 2020 10:20 West Bank … Continue reading
Posted in Annexation, News
Comments Off on ‘Annexation would close door on Israeli-Palestinian talks’
The Hundred Years’ War On Palestine A history of settler colonial conquest and resistance
By Rashid Khalidi Profile Books £25.00 Book review Review by Tim Llewellyn In the midst of Jerusalem’s Old City, on the cusp of the Muslim and Jewish quarters, reposes the Khalidi family library, an archive of scriptures, literature and letters … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Declaration, Book Reviews, Mandate Period, Post-Mandate Period, Pre-Balfour Declaration, Resources, Zionism Debate
Comments Off on The Hundred Years’ War On Palestine A history of settler colonial conquest and resistance
A welcome move
As concerned citizens of Israel, we welcome the publication of the UN database of companies doing business with Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. The settlements deprive Palestinians of their basic freedoms and block their economic development. They sabotage the … Continue reading
Posted in Letters
Tagged Israel, Settlements, UN database of companies
Comments Off on A welcome move
Where Is the World for the Palestinians?
By El Hassan bin Talal AMMAN – It should come as no surprise that US’s proposed peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians bears all the hallmarks of a real-estate transaction. This supposed “Deal of the Century” certainly embodies none … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions
Tagged Palestine, Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Trumps Plan
Comments Off on Where Is the World for the Palestinians?
Balfour Project Denounces President Trump’s Proposal which will only perpetuate the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; calls upon the British Government to take immediate remedial action to uphold a genuine two-state solution.
There’s a strong parallel between the Balfour Declaration and the Trump Vision. In both of the two historical circumstances -and the Trump plan is historical – a foreign state arrogated to itself the right to bestow to one people territory … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint
Comments Off on Balfour Project Denounces President Trump’s Proposal which will only perpetuate the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; calls upon the British Government to take immediate remedial action to uphold a genuine two-state solution.
A Statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem on the “Deal of the Century”
After a thorough consideration of the United States of America’s Middle East peace plan, also known as, the “Deal of the Century”,and after reviewing the reactions of all concerned parties on the matter, we, Patriarchs and Heads of the Holy … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, Letters
Comments Off on A Statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem on the “Deal of the Century”
As prominent Israelis dedicated to peace, we oppose Trump’s apartheid plan
Published in a letter to the Independent 30 January 2020 As Israelis dedicated to a peaceful future for our country and for our Palestinian neighbours, we state our principled opposition to the Trump administration’s plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, Letters
Tagged Apartheid, Israel, Palestine, Trumps Plan
Comments Off on As prominent Israelis dedicated to peace, we oppose Trump’s apartheid plan
Remarks by HRH The Prince of Wales at a reception in Bethlehem
24 January 2020 Throughout my life, I have tried, in whatever very small way I can, to foster greater understanding between people of different faiths, to heal divisions and to remind people of so much that we share in common … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, Current Positions
Tagged Bethlehem, Prince of Wales
Comments Off on Remarks by HRH The Prince of Wales at a reception in Bethlehem
You are right, Prime Minister: Israel needs a Palestinian State. We should recognise it, now: Open Letter to Boris Johnson from Sir Vincent Fean
Dear Prime Minister, This month HRH Prince Charles visits Israel and Palestine together for the first time, invited by Presidents Rivlin and Abbas. He will undertake engagements on your behalf in both countries. This is historic, and welcome. For more … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint
Tagged Palestine, Recognition
Comments Off on You are right, Prime Minister: Israel needs a Palestinian State. We should recognise it, now: Open Letter to Boris Johnson from Sir Vincent Fean
The time is right to recognise Palestine
Text of letter published in The Times, January 20th 2020 THE TIME IS RIGHT TO RECOGNISE PALESTINESir, Today Britain attends her last EU foreign affairs council. On the agenda is the Middle East peace process, which must address recognition of … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, Current Positions, Letters
Tagged Palestine, Recognition, Times letter
Comments Off on The time is right to recognise Palestine
Holy Land Coordination 2020
We must not ignore the voice of people in the Holy Land Every year we come to encounter and hear the people of the Holy Land. We are inspired by their enduring resilience and faith in a worsening situation. In … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role
Tagged Catholic Bishops, Gaza, Holy Land
Comments Off on Holy Land Coordination 2020
The status of West Bank settlements under international law.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cannot rewrite international law. By John McHugo , Balfour Project Trustee and International Lawyer Following the comments by the US Secretary of State on Monday, we have felt it necessary to clarify the legal … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role
Tagged International Law, Settlements
Comments Off on The status of West Bank settlements under international law.
Let’s not pretend Washington ever really tried to stop Israeli settlements
Aaron David Miller and Daniel Kurtzer, The Washington Post Published 6:19 am EST, Friday, November 22, 2019 By most accounts, the Trump administration’s decision to treat Israel’s settlement enterprise as a legal endeavor is a retreat by the United States from … Continue reading
Posted in Current Positions, News
Tagged International Law, Israel, Settlements, United States
Comments Off on Let’s not pretend Washington ever really tried to stop Israeli settlements
Book Review: The Balfour Declaration – Empire, the Mandate and Resistance in Palestine by Bernard Regan
by John McHugo In The Balfour Declaration: Empire, The Mandate and Resistance in Palestine, Bernard Regan shows us what Britain did (and what Britain thought it was doing) by issuing the Balfour Declaration, by incorporating it into the League of … Continue reading
Posted in Balfour Declaration, Book Reviews, Mandate Period, McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, Pre-Balfour Declaration, Zionism Debate
Tagged Balfour Declaration, Mandate
Comments Off on Book Review: The Balfour Declaration – Empire, the Mandate and Resistance in Palestine by Bernard Regan
Book Review: Legacy of Empire – Britain, Zionism and the Creation of Israel by Gardner Thompson
By Tim Llewellyn, Oct 10th 2019 “…[T]he Mandate has proved to be unworkable in practice…[and] the obligations undertaken by the two communities in Palestine have been shown to be irreconcilable.” (Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews, Mandate Period, Pre-Balfour Declaration, Zionism Debate
Tagged Balfour Declaration, British Mandate
Comments Off on Book Review: Legacy of Empire – Britain, Zionism and the Creation of Israel by Gardner Thompson
Scottish Parliament endorses Balfour Project Call to Action Sept 3rd 2019
Claudia Beamish MSP (Labour) introduced a members’ business debate on motion S5M-16637, “Towards an independent Palestinian state: a Scottish proposal” calling for action leading to an independent Palestinian state and acknowledging Britain’s historical responsibilities in what was to become Israel … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role, Current Positions, McMahon-Hussein Correspondence
Comments Off on Scottish Parliament endorses Balfour Project Call to Action Sept 3rd 2019
Israel’s election, Palestine, and Britain’s best response: Equal Rights
This article was first published on the Conservative Middle East Council website Analysis 23 September 2019 Sir Vincent Fean KCVO Sir Vincent Fean is Chair of Trustees of the Balfour Project. Between 2010-14, Sir Vincent was British Consul-General in Jerusalem. … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role
Comments Off on Israel’s election, Palestine, and Britain’s best response: Equal Rights
115 British Parliamentarians demand British Prime Minister act robustly to any Israeli annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory
115 British Parliamentarians demand British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson act robustly to any Israeli annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory. In the letter, sent from the Britain-Palestine All-Party Parliamentary Group, the Parliamentarians insisted that the British Government and its partners in … Continue reading
Posted in Britain's current role
Comments Off on 115 British Parliamentarians demand British Prime Minister act robustly to any Israeli annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory