Battle against Britain’s 1917 Balfour Declaration High on Palestinian Agenda

The Balfour Declaration was issued in 1917 and since that time has been a basic pillar of Israel’s historical narrative as an early historical marker in the quest to build a Jewish state. But 100 years later, the venerable document is being assailed as a cause for the “displacement of the Palestinian nation.” The declaration said that the British government favored the establishment of a Jewish state in the area under its control. It favored creation of an Arab state in the area as well. Now, however, a movement has arisen that would like to see the Balfour Declaration revoked – but will settle for a formal apology by the British government. The Ma’an news agency reported on Thursday that a petition asking for that apology has amassed 11,000 names so far. Ma’an cites the official website of the British government as saying a formal response must be issued in response to a petition of 10,000, and if the organizers can reach 100,000 signatures, a debate in Parliament must be scheduled. It’s the second petition attempt: last year’s fell short at about 2,000 names.