Key facts
- The UK government has not responded to a legal petition alleging war crimes in Palestine between 1917 and 1948.
- The petition, submitted a year ago, details alleged unlawful conduct by Britain during its colonial rule.
- It calls for an official apology and reparations from the British government.
- The document was drafted by leading human rights barristers and academics.
- The petition is backed by 75 MPs, peers, and cultural figures.
The British government has not responded to a 400-page legal petition submitted a year ago by the Britain Owes Palestine campaign, which details alleged war crimes committed during the colonial era in Palestine between 1917 and 1948. The petition, drafted by prominent human rights barristers and academics, calls for an official apology and reparations for Britain's conduct.
The document was delivered to key government figures, including the prime minister and foreign secretary, on September 7, 2025. Its anniversary falls shortly before the one-year mark of the UK's formal recognition of the State of Palestine. The campaign argues that current actions in the West Bank and Gaza are a continuation of British colonial policies, citing the Balfour Declaration and the subsequent Nakba.
Supporters of the petition include 75 MPs, peers, and cultural figures. The campaign urges the government to issue a formal apology, stating it is a minimum requirement for Britain to play a constructive role in peace efforts and reconstruction in the region.