The UK formally recognized Palestine in 2025 to protect the viability of a two-state solution and create a path towards lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. However, many would say the act is too little, and too late.
On April 19, Israel's Minister of Defense and Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, presided over a ceremony in an illegal settlement in the Occupied West Bank and said, "We are abolishing the disgrace of expulsion, killing the idea of the Palestinian state, and returning to the settlement of Sa-Nur."
Under international law, the settlements populated by Israeli Jews in the West Bank are illegal. But, that hasn't stopped Israel from grabbing more and more land in the West Bank, and Gaza.
Since Israeli military operations intensified in January 2025, Palestinian refugees have been systematically targeted resulting in a mass deportation from camps in the northern West Bank. Along with the outlawing of UNRWA, the humanitarian organization, 40,000 Palestinians have been forced from their homes, in the largest forced displacement witnessed in the West Bank since 1967.
The UK likes to portray their government as a liberal democracy, with religious freedom, and a deep respect for human rights. Yet, the UK blindly supports Israel, which has deprived 5 million Palestinians their basic human rights, and religious freedom.
Democracy does not condone occupation, and occupation cannot be defended legally.
In 2024, the International Court of Justice deemed the occupation of the West Bank was illegal, and called for the immediate end to occupation. But, the UK took no steps to sanction Israel in order to force change.
The U.S. is the biggest supporter of Israel, and even during the genocide in Gaza, the U.S. kept the cash and weapons flowing freely to Tel Aviv. The UK has traditionally been a loyal follower of every policy written in Washington. Critics have dubbed the UK a 'Lap Dog' of the U.S. London continues to support Israel regardless of their disdain of democracy and human rights.
Great Britain feels a historic guilt and shame over their role in the destruction of Palestine, and the formation of Israel. Similar to the collective guilt and shame the German people feel when looking back at the events of WW2 and the holocaust.
In 1948, at least 750,000 Palestinians were expelled by the British during the termination of their mandate.
Britain allowed for the founding of the State of Israel, despite Britain's responsibility to protect the population in the face of ethnic cleansing.
During the British Mandate of Palestine, the British assisted in massive immigration of European Jews, while promising the native Arab population their freedom and independence in exchange for fighting alongside the British and American forces to defeat Germany and Turkey in WW1.
The Arabs won the war in 1917, but got occupation by Britain and France as their reward. The Balfour Declaration in 1917 pledged to establish a national home for the Jewish people.
British Palestine was established in 1920 from that portion of the Ottoman Empire given to the British to manage after World War I.
In 1936, British Palestine was in chaos. After rising Jewish immigration and economic dominance, Arab Palestinians revolted against the British, attacking military installations.
In May 1948, Britain left Palestine and handed over authority enabling Zionist armed militias, which resulted in the Nakba, the term used to describe the expulsion of at least 750,000 Palestinians from their homes, and turning them into refugees.
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