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Dozens of MPs are calling for the government to formally apologise for Britain’s actions during its administration of Palestine in the first part of the 20th century.
In September, the Britain Owes Palestine campaign group submitted a 400-page legal petition to the government, but has yet to receive a response.
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Leading British KCs Ben Emmerson and Danny Friedman wrote the substantial document, which provides details of what they say are unlawful actions and war crimes committed during the British occupation of the region between 1917 and 1948.
It says Britain unlawfully failed to recognise Arab self-determination, lacked proper legal authority for the Balfour Declaration and the subsequent mandate, and committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, arbitrary detention and mass home demolitions.
Alongside the petition, 45 MPs and peers from all parties signed an open letter calling on the British government to formally apologise, as they say the UK must confront its historical role and responsibility to support peace efforts today.
Palestine 1917-1948
In 1917, the Balfour Declaration was signed as the British pledged support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.
From 1920, the League of Nations (the precursor to the UN) formally granted Britain a mandate (known as the British Mandate for Palestine), which required them to facilitate Jewish immigration and self-governance in the territory – resulting in conflicting promises for both the Jewish people and Palestinians.
There were periodic violent uprisings, and in 1948, following the…
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