The colonial legacy

The British connection and the colonial foundation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

The British Mandate in Palestine (1920–1948) was a pivotal period, shaped by geopolitical ambitions, colonial policies, and the growing conflict between Zionists and Palestinians. While Britain claimed to be preparing Palestine for independence, its policies instead deepened divisions, sowing tensions that still echo today. This pattern of colonial influence, which left unresolved conflicts and open wounds, can be seen in many other regions where colonial powers withdrew without addressing the underlying issues.

The consequences
The 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which Britain expressed support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, became the foundation for the British Mandate. It reflected British imperial interests rather than the democratic aspirations of the people living in Palestine, as Britain sought to secure a strategic foothold in the Middle East. While the declaration included a clause stipulating that "nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and…