25 signatures reached
To: The British Government
The British Government should apologise for its role in Palestine from 1917 to 1948
We urge the British Government to formally apologise for its unlawful actions in Palestine from 1917 to 1948.
Why is this important?
In September 2025, Britain Owes Palestine submitted a 400-page legal petition to the UK Government detailing evidence of unlawful acts and war crimes committed under British rule. It argues that the current situation in Palestine was, in many ways, “Made in Britain.”
The case centres on three claims:
- Unlawful Occupation: Britain acted unlawfully as an occupying power following the 1917 Balfour Declaration and the 1922 establishment of a ‘mandate’ that violated the Covenant of the League of Nations.
- Oppression and Inhumane Acts: To exert control over occupied Palestine, Britain perpetrated a widespread pattern of murder, persecution, torture and repression of Palestinians amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. During the Arab Rebellion (1936-1939), up to 528,000 Palestinians – around 38% of the population – passed through some form of detention.
- Abandonment and Partition: Britain’s withdrawal left Palestine destined to violent partition and decades of division, which over 30 years of occupation enabled to entrench, and which Britain remained responsible under international law to prevent.
The document was drafted by leading human rights barristers Ben Emmerson KC and Danny Friedman KC, with regional experts Professor John Quigley, Professor Avi Shlaim, and Assistant Professor Victor Kattan.
The lead petitioner is Palestinian philanthropist Munib Al Masri, who at age 13 was shot by British soldiers and witnessed repeated violence against his community. He is joined by 13 other petitioners from a range of backgrounds.
On 21 September 2025, the UK formally recognised the State of Palestine. However, recognition alone does not address Britain’s historical responsibility.
The Britain Owes Palestine campaign calls on the British Government to acknowledge and apologise for its actions between 1917 and 1948 in Palestine, which helped shape the situation today.
