Palestinians are requesting an official apology from the UK regarding allegations of war crimes during the colonial era as the UK recently recognized a state of Palestine. A legal petition, comprising 400 pages, was submitted to the Foreign Office earlier this month, representing 13 families who claim they experienced violence, exile, or repression during the British Mandate in historical Palestine, which lasted from 1917 to 1948.
Victor Kattan, a spokesperson for the petitioners, emphasized the UK government’s responsibility to acknowledge past actions to foster understanding of its historical conduct. While he welcomed the UK’s recognition of a Palestinian state during a UN conference in New York, he argued that this recognition did not adequately address the legacy of British rule. Kattan pointed out that the British administration denied self-governance to the Palestinian community and empowered a high commissioner whose actions led to significant repercussions for the local population.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not confirmed if ministers are aware of the legal petition but indicated that Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy would inquire into the matter. The petition outlines allegations of abuses by British forces during the increasing violence leading up to 1948, which it asserts amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Reports from a 2022 BBC review detailed various alleged abuses, including arbitrary killings, destruction of villages, and the use of civilians as human shields. The UK Ministry of Defence had stated it was aware of historical allegations and promised a thorough review of any evidence provided.
The historical context includes Britain’s involvement in Palestine during World War One, the promise of a Jewish homeland in the 1917 Balfour Declaration, and subsequent violent conflicts between Arabs and Jews, notably during the Arab Revolt from 1936 to 1939, which had significant casualties. The petitioners’ appeal builds on previous UK acknowledgments of colonial-era misconduct and follows the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by several countries.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3yepedj57o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss