Britons protest against Balfour Declaration, creation of Israel
Demonstrators in the British capital of London have staged massive rally in front of the US embassy to demand the British government apologies for its support of Balfour Declaration which led to birth of Israel.
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The pro-Palestine activists marched from the US embassy towards Trafalgar Square in central London on Saturday.
They held signs reading “Free Palestine” and Justice for Palestine,” while they chanted “Free, Free Palestine” and “Occupation no more.”
There were several ultra-Orthodox Jews spotted marching in the crowd, presumably from anti-Zionist sects.
The protesters called the Balfour Declaration issued in 1917 during World War I a “historic crime” and expressed outrage at the suffering of Palestinians at the hands of Israel’s brutal regime.
They also condemned as an open insult the recent visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Britain for celebrating the 100th anniversary of the document.
The activists said they're determined to demand compensation and called on the UK to take responsibility for its role in the pain forced upon the Palestinian nation.
Palestinians have vehemently protested the UK government’s decision to mark the Balfour Declaration with pride, calling on London to apologize for the document and recognize a Palestinian state.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May marked the centenary of the Balfour Declaration along with Netanyahu during a banquet in London on Thursday.
Speaking at the Balfour centenary dinner in London, May said Britain was “proud of our pioneering role in the creation of the state of Israel.”
She also said Britain was proud “of the relationship we have built with Israel.”
The Balfour Declaration was a public announcement by the British government during World War I to support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" on Palestinian territories.
The declaration was named after British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, who penned the document.
Emboldened by the Balfour Declaration and the ensuing Western support, Israel captured huge swathes of Arab land in a war in 1948, and then proclaimed its existence.
In 1967, it proceeded to capture more Palestinian territory in another war. It then started propping up scores of settlements across that occupied territory in a move to gradually annex it.
Israel has defied all international condemnations of its settlement activities, including outright denunciation by the United Nations.
Palestinian officials announced Wednesday the launching of a social media campaign targeting British officials over the Balfour declaration celebrations.
The campaign titled "MakeItRight" aims to storm the twitter accounts of British Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Ministers Boris Johnson and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Pro-Palestine activists have launched a social media campaign under the hashtag #BalfourShame to raise awareness about the Balfour Declaration.
