Britain Palestine Project

Renowned historian Professor Avi Shlaim examines Britain's historic role in Palestine, the legacy of the Balfour Declaration, and the continuing impact of British policy on Palestinian self-determination.

Tracing the roots of the conflict through the late Ottoman period, the British Mandate and the creation of Israel, Shlaim argues that Britain played a central role in shaping the political conditions that led to the dispossession of Palestinians and continues to bear responsibility for the consequences today.

The talk explores:

• Britain's role in supporting the Zionist movement during the Mandate period.

• The significance and legacy of the 1917 Balfour Declaration.

• The suppression of Palestinian political representation and resistance under British rule.

• The Palestinian Revolt of 1936–39 and its long-term consequences.

• The Nakba of 1948 as part of a broader historical process rather than a single event.

• The work of the Britain Owes Palestine campaign and its efforts to seek acknowledgement, accountability and reparations from the British government.

• Britain's contemporary political, military and diplomatic relationship with Israel.

• The destruction of civilian, educational and cultural infrastructure in Gaza.

• Ongoing debates around international law, accountability and the recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Professor Shlaim reflects on more than a century of British involvement in Palestine and argues that meaningful recognition of Palestinian rights requires more than symbolic gestures. He contends that acknowledgement of historical responsibility must be accompanied by practical political action and a commitment to accountability.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Professor Avi Shlaim is Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford and one of Israel's leading "New Historians". His groundbreaking research on the Arab-Israeli conflict, Zionism, British policy in Palestine and the creation of Israel has challenged many established historical narratives. He is the author of numerous influential works, including The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World, Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew and Genocide in Gaza: Israel's Long War on Palestine.

Historian, author and Britain Palestine Project patron William Dalrymple opens the Recognition is the Beginning conference with a sweeping exploration of Palestinian history, identity and Britain’s historic role in the region.

Drawing on archaeology, genetics, historical records and personal testimony, Dalrymple challenges narratives that deny Palestinian continuity and traces the story of Palestine from the Bronze Age to the present day. Beginning with the story of the village of Isdud (modern-day Ashdod), he examines how communities endured for millennia before being displaced during the Nakba of 1948.

The keynote explores:

• The historical continuity of Palestinian communities over more than 3,000 years.

• Archaeological and genetic evidence linking modern Palestinians to ancient Levantine populations.

• The shared ancestral heritage of Palestinians and many Israeli Jews.

• The origins and enduring history of the name “Palestine” from the Bronze Age to today.

• Palestine’s role as a centre of trade, culture, religion and scholarship throughout antiquity and the medieval world.

• The impact of the Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate on Palestinian self-determination.

• Britain’s historic and contemporary responsibilities regarding Palestine.

• Why recognition of Palestine is only a starting point and must be accompanied by meaningful action.

Dalrymple argues that understanding the depth of Palestinian history is essential to understanding the present crisis and to building a future based on justice, accountability and equal rights. He concludes by reflecting on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the importance of transforming recognition into practical support for Palestinian self-determination.

This keynote was recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

William Dalrymple is an award-winning historian, broadcaster and bestselling author whose books include The Anarchy, The Last Mughal, White Mughals and From the Holy Mountain. He is co-host of the hugely popular Empire podcast and a patron of the Britain Palestine Project. His current research focuses on the history of Palestine from the Neolithic period to the Nakba.

H.E. Mr Manar Dabbas, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Kingdom, reflects on developments since the UK's recognition of the State of Palestine and examines the wider regional implications of the ongoing conflict.

Ambassador Dabbas discusses the humanitarian situation in Gaza, growing pressures in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the importance of pursuing a just and lasting peace based on international law, accountability and a viable two-state solution.

The session explores:

• The significance of UK recognition of the State of Palestine and the diplomatic efforts that helped secure it.

• Conditions in Gaza following the ceasefire and the challenges facing reconstruction and recovery.

• The impact of prolonged conflict on Palestinian children, education and future prospects.

• Settlement expansion, land confiscation and violence in the occupied West Bank.

• The E1 settlement plan and its implications for the viability of a future Palestinian state.

• Economic pressures facing Palestinian institutions and governance structures.

• The situation in Jerusalem, including concerns relating to Muslim and Christian holy sites.

• The role of international law and recent international legal developments.

• Jordan's longstanding commitment to a negotiated peace and regional stability.

• The challenges facing the two-state solution and the broader consequences for the Middle East.

Ambassador Dabbas argues that lasting peace requires addressing the underlying causes of conflict, including occupation, displacement and the erosion of prospects for Palestinian statehood. He contends that regional stability and Israeli security are ultimately dependent upon achieving a just political settlement accepted by both peoples.

Returning to the conference theme, Recognition is the Beginning, he emphasises that recognition must be accompanied by greater awareness, accountability and practical action if it is to contribute to a durable peace.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

H.E. Mr Manar Dabbas is the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Kingdom. Throughout his diplomatic career he has worked extensively on regional affairs, international cooperation and Middle East peace efforts. Jordan has played a longstanding role in supporting a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for international law, regional stability and a two-state solution based on mutual recognition, peace and security.

H.E. Dr Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, reflects on the significance of UK recognition of the State of Palestine while arguing that recognition must be followed by meaningful action to uphold international law and Palestinian self-determination.

Drawing on his recent visit to the occupied Palestinian territory, Ambassador Zomlot describes the realities facing Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, outlines the diplomatic progress achieved in recent years, and sets out what he believes governments must do to turn recognition into lasting change.

In this session, Ambassador Zomlot discusses:

• Current developments in the occupied West Bank, including settlement expansion, displacement and annexation.

• The continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and its impact on Palestinian families and communities.

• The history of Palestinian diplomacy and international efforts to achieve a just peace.

• The significance of UK recognition of Palestine and its historical context.

• Growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood and changing global public opinion.

• The role of civil society, human rights organisations and international solidarity movements.

• The importance of accountability, international law and multilateral institutions.

• Practical measures governments can take to support Palestinian rights and uphold legal obligations.

Ambassador Zomlot argues that the Palestinian cause has become part of a wider global movement for justice, equality and human rights, and suggests that growing international support presents an opportunity to advance meaningful political change.

While welcoming recognition as an important milestone, he emphasises that recognition alone is insufficient without concrete steps to enforce international law, address humanitarian needs and create the conditions for Palestinian freedom and self-determination.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

H.E. Dr Husam Zomlot is the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and one of Palestine's most prominent diplomats. He has previously served as Head of the Palestine Liberation Organization Mission to the United States and as Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Palestinian leadership. A leading advocate for Palestinian rights, diplomacy and international engagement, he works extensively with governments, civil society organisations and international institutions to advance Palestinian self-determination and a just and lasting peace.

Andrew Whitley sets out the urgent political and humanitarian context behind Recognition is the Beginning and challenges attendees to consider what practical action is now required from both government and civil society.

Reflecting on developments in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Whitley argues that recognition of Palestinian statehood must be accompanied by concrete policies that uphold international law, human rights and Palestinian self-determination.

In this session, Andrew Whitley discusses:

• The deteriorating situation facing Palestinians in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

• The threat posed by annexation, settlement expansion and efforts to make a Palestinian state unviable.

• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the international response to it.

• The Britain Palestine Project's approach of combining history, education and advocacy to promote informed public engagement.

• The launch of the Britain Palestine Project's Statement of Principles and its relevance to UK policy.

• The importance of applying international law consistently across conflicts and regions.

• The significance of the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the occupation of Palestine.

• Calls for greater transparency and action from the British government regarding its legal obligations under international law.

Whitley urges participants not only to deepen their understanding of the issues discussed throughout the conference, but also to use their own networks, communities and elected representatives to press for meaningful political action.

The address also introduces the conference programme and highlights the contributions of leading historians, diplomats, academics, journalists and advocates who would speak throughout the day.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Andrew Whitley is Chair of the Britain Palestine Project and a former senior United Nations official with extensive experience across the Middle East. He previously served as Director of the Representative Office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in New York and has worked for decades on issues relating to Palestinian rights, humanitarian affairs, diplomacy and international development. Through his leadership of the Britain Palestine Project, he advocates for informed public debate, accountability and a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

In the opening address of the Britain Palestine Project's annual conference, Professor Adam Sutcliffe reflects on the importance of public debate, informed discussion and meaningful action in response to the ongoing crisis in Palestine.

Introducing the conference theme, Recognition is the Beginning, Professor Sutcliffe argues that recognition must extend beyond diplomacy to encompass a deeper understanding of Palestinian realities, historical context and the responsibilities of governments and citizens alike.

In this opening session, Professor Sutcliffe discusses:

• Why public debate remains essential in confronting injustice and humanitarian suffering.

• The significance of Palestinian recognition and recent diplomatic developments in the United Kingdom.

• The wider meaning of recognition beyond formal statehood and diplomatic status.

• The need to acknowledge the human consequences of the war in Gaza and ongoing pressures facing Palestinians in the West Bank.

• The importance of understanding the historical and political factors that have contributed to the current situation.

• Britain's role and responsibility in relation to Palestine.

• The challenges facing public discourse on Palestine and the need to defend open discussion and informed engagement.

• Turning knowledge and understanding into practical action and advocacy.

Professor Sutcliffe emphasises that while conferences alone cannot bring about political change, they play a vital role in fostering understanding, challenging complacency and helping participants identify practical ways to contribute to a more just future.

The address also highlights the importance of academic freedom, civil discourse and institutional support for open discussion of Palestine and the wider Middle East.

Recorded at the Britain Palestine Project annual conference, Recognition is the Beginning, held at the Greenwood Theatre, London, on 2 June 2026.

Professor Adam Sutcliffe is Professor of European History at King's College London and Chair of the Britain Palestine Project. A leading scholar of intellectual, religious and cultural history, he has chaired the project's annual conferences and has been a longstanding advocate for informed public engagement on issues relating to Palestine, Israel, international law and human rights.

with Andrew Whitley and Sir Vincent Fean

On Nakba Day, Britain Palestine Project Chair Andrew Whitley and Trustee Sir Vincent Fean return for the second episode of The Situation Report - an unscripted conversation examining the rapidly changing realities in Palestine/Israel and Britain’s response to them.

Recorded against the backdrop of Nakba Day, this episode explores the deepening crisis in the occupied Palestinian territories, the accelerating annexation of the West Bank, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and the growing political consequences of the war both internationally and here in the UK.

Andrew and Vincent discuss the proposed E1 settlement expansion east of Jerusalem, why many diplomats have long viewed it as a “red line”, and what practical measures Britain and its allies could take in response. They examine the ongoing displacement of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley and around Bethlehem, the transfer of occupation powers from military to civilian authorities, and the broader implications for the future of a Palestinian state.

The conversation also turns to Gaza: the collapse of meaningful international momentum towards a ceasefire or political settlement, worsening humanitarian conditions, restrictions on journalists and aid agencies, and concerns surrounding detainee treatment and international law.

Finally, they reflect on how Gaza has reshaped British political discourse - from public protest movements and electoral politics to debates around antisemitism, civil liberties, and the importance of rejecting false binaries between defending Jewish communities and standing up for Palestinian rights.

This is a candid, wide-ranging discussion rooted in diplomacy, international law, historical responsibility, and the urgent political questions of the present moment.

From the Nakba to Camp David is the “sequel” to our short film Britain in Palestine, continuing the story through the defining decades that shaped the conflict we see today.Drawing on archival footage and historical testimony, the film traces the period from the Nakba of 1948 through to the Camp David Accords — exploring displacement, war, diplomacy, and the political decisions that continue to resonate today. The film is directed by Gillian Mosely, whose previous work includes The Tinderbox and Planet Israel.

How did a state founded in the shadow of catastrophe arrive at this moment of profound crisis?

In this urgent and deeply reflective conversation, historian and genocide scholar Professor Omer Bartov joins the Britain Palestine Project to examine the political, moral, and historical trajectory of Israel from its founding to the present day.

Drawing on decades of research into nationalism, war, memory, and mass violence, Bartov explores the ideological foundations of the Israeli state, the long-term consequences of occupation, and the growing international debate around human rights, apartheid, and genocide. He also reflects on the changing role of Holocaust memory in Israeli political culture, the collapse of the peace process, and the dangers posed by rising extremism and dehumanisation.

This episode asks difficult but essential questions: What went wrong? Could it have been different? And what might accountability, justice, and coexistence look like now?

Professor Omer Bartov is an Israeli-American scholar and Dean’s Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University. He has written extensively on war crimes, interethnic relations, nationalism, and genocide.

His books include:

• Anatomy of a Genocide: The Life and Death of a Town Called Buczacz (National Jewish Book Award winner)

• Genocide, the Holocaust and Israel-Palestine: First-Person History in Times of Crisis

• Israel: What Went Wrong? (2026)

His essays and commentary have appeared widely in international media and academic publications.

• The founding ideals of Israel and how they evolved

• Occupation, militarisation, and political radicalisation

• Holocaust memory and national identity

• Gaza and the international legal debate

• The collapse of the Oslo peace process

• Zionism, democracy, and ethnonationalism

• The role of the international community

• Prospects for justice, equality, and peace

About the SpeakerTopics Discussed

With Dr. Asma Sharabati, Deputy Mayor of Hebron

What does daily life look like in one of the most contested and tightly controlled cities in the West Bank?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we’re joined by Dr. Asma Sharabati, Deputy Mayor of Hebron, who offers a rare, ground-level perspective on governing a city under extraordinary pressure. Drawing on her experience in municipal leadership and social sciences, Dr. Sharabati explores how urban life is shaped not just by physical constraints, but by psychological, social, and temporal control.

This is not just a conversation about infrastructure - it’s about what it means to live, plan, and survive in a city where even time itself is unpredictable.