Category Archives: Past

Souvenir Booklet from our Jerusalem Conference 2020

Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Britain's current role, Current Positions, News, Past | Comments Off on Souvenir Booklet from our Jerusalem Conference 2020

Sir Vincent Fean – How will the US Presidential Elections Affect the Israel/Palestine Conflict?

Talk given on 12 November 2020. Vincent Fean is a retired member of the British Diplomatic Service. His last post was Consul General, Jerusalem, from 2010 to 2014. Before that he was the UK Ambassador to Libya and also High … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Past, USA | Comments Off on Sir Vincent Fean – How will the US Presidential Elections Affect the Israel/Palestine Conflict?

Conference on Jerusalem – Closing Remarks & Statement

Closing Remarks and StatementHE Khaled Al-Duwaisan -Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UKSir Vincent Fean Click here to read the statement. Sir Vincent Fean: I now welcome His Excellency Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom for the last 27 years. … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Project viewpoint, Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Closing Remarks & Statement

Conference on Jerusalem – Session VI: Questions and Answers

Session VI: Questions and AnswersModerated by Ian BlackPanellists: Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Daniel Seidemann, Daniel Levy, Rula Salameh, Sir Vincent Fean Ian Black: A question from Andrew Wilkinson, Oxford University:  “Does the continued focus on the Balfour Declaration – which … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Session VI: Questions and Answers

Conference on Jerusalem – Session V: Britain’s Role in the Coming Years

Session V: Britain’s Role in the Coming YearsChair: Sir Vincent FeanKeynote Speaker: Rt Hon Alistair BurtPanellists: Julie Elliott MP (Labour), Tommy Sheppard MP (SNP), Rt Hon Baroness Lindsay Northover (LibDem) Sir Vincent Fean: We are going to talk about the … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Session V: Britain’s Role in the Coming Years

Conference on Jerusalem – Session IV: Contemporary Realities and Plans to Share the City

Session IV: Contemporary Realities and Plans to Share the CityChair: Dr Imad Karam (BP Trustee)Keynote Speaker: Daniel LevyPanellists: Ariel Caine, Rula Salameh, Yudith Oppenheimer Conference on Jerusalem Session IV: Contemporary Realities and Plans to Share the City Dr Imad Karam: … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Session IV: Contemporary Realities and Plans to Share the City

Conference on Jerusalem – Session III: Religion and Holy Sites

Session III: Religion and Holy SitesChair: Bishop Michael Doe (BP Executive Committee)Keynote Speaker: Daniel SeidemannPanellists: Imam Monawar Hussain, Bishop Christopher Chessun, Rabbi Jeremy Gordon Bishop Michael Doe: Good afternoon and welcome back to this Balfour Project Day Conference on Jerusalem: … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Session III: Religion and Holy Sites

Conference on Jerusalem – Session II: International Law and Human Rights

Session II: International Law and Human RightsChair: John McHugo (BP Trustee)Keynote Speaker: Baroness Helena Kennedy QCPanellists: Iain Scobbie, Daniel Seidemann & Victor Kattan John McHugo: Good morning, everyone. My name is John McHugo. I’m a trustee of the Balfour Project … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Session II: International Law and Human Rights

Conference on Jerusalem – Introduction & Session I: History

Introduction Welcome: Sir Vincent Fean (BP Chair of Trustees) Video Message from HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan Session I: History Chair: Andrew Whitley (BP Trustee) Keynote Speaker: Avi Shlaim Panellists:Menachem Klein, Mick Dumper, Salim Tamari Sir Vincent … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Conference on Jerusalem – Introduction & Session I: History

Jerusalem: from Past Divisions to a Shared Future?

Below you will find both audio and video recordings, as well as transcripts, of each session of our Online Conference on 27 October 2020. Click here for conference brochure. Click here to read the statement. IntroductionWelcome: Sir Vincent Fean (BP … Continue reading

Posted in Past | Comments Off on Jerusalem: from Past Divisions to a Shared Future?

Unseen question? Zionism and the Palestinians under the British Mandate

A live online talk given in October 2020. Ian Black: Thanks very much for inviting me to give this talk. It is based on the research for my book, Enemies and Neighbours: Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017, … Continue reading

Posted in Nakba, Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Unseen question? Zionism and the Palestinians under the British Mandate

Former Israeli Ambassador Dr. Alon Liel – Is the failed formal annexation attempt a regional turning point?

A talk given online in September 2020. Alon Liel is a courageous man. He dares to speak truth to power, and knows the cost of this in his own life. While calling for an end to occupation and for equal … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Former Israeli Ambassador Dr. Alon Liel – Is the failed formal annexation attempt a regional turning point?

John McHugo on Why Britain has a Special Responsibility to the Palestinian People Today

A talk given online on 30th June 2020. John McHugo is a trustee of the Balfour Project and a board member of CAABU, The Council for Arab British Understanding. This paper is the edited text of a Balfour Project talk … Continue reading

Posted in Britain's current role, Mandate Period, Past | Comments Off on John McHugo on Why Britain has a Special Responsibility to the Palestinian People Today

Evaluating the Balfour Declaration: Breaking the Deadlock in the Middle East

On Saturday May 18th 2013, the Balfour Project held a one day conference at The Stripe, University of Winchester exploring the different legacies of the Balfour Declaration and how a greater understanding of history can contribute to justice and peace … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Historical, Past | Comments Off on Evaluating the Balfour Declaration: Breaking the Deadlock in the Middle East

Tim Llewellyn on The Crafting of the News: the British media and the Israel-Palestine Question

A talk given online in August 2020. Tim Llewellyn: Hello, everyone. I want to start by saying two basic things to plan out, to map out my thesis, if you like, about the British media coverage, particularly the broadcasting media … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Tim Llewellyn on The Crafting of the News: the British media and the Israel-Palestine Question

Toppling Balfour, a talk by Sarah Helm

A live online talk given in July 2020 Welcome everyone. Sarah Helm was a staff correspondent for The Sunday Times and a foreign correspondent for The Independent and she’s written two books, most recently, If This is a Woman about … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings, Zionism Debate | Comments Off on Toppling Balfour, a talk by Sarah Helm

Navigating Isolation Through Music – A PalMusic Online Event with Sir Vincent Fean – 26th July 2020

Posted in Past | Comments Off on Navigating Isolation Through Music – A PalMusic Online Event with Sir Vincent Fean – 26th July 2020

Vincent Fean on Illegal Settlements and UNRWA

Q&A Session with Sir Vincent Fean, Chair of the Balfour Project Vincent Fean: It’s a pleasure to be with you. I think it’s important for us to address questions raised by participants at the 2 April talk. We will try … Continue reading

Posted in Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Vincent Fean on Illegal Settlements and UNRWA

Screening with Q&A – Britain in Palestine: 1917-1948

3pm UK time, Thursday 7th May 2020 Click here to register. 

Posted in Past | Comments Off on Screening with Q&A – Britain in Palestine: 1917-1948

Palestine/Israel: Britain’s role, then and now

Online talk by Sir Vincent Fean, Balfour Project, 2 April 2020 Read the transcript below: Vincent: A welcome to all. Thank you all for joining the Balfour Project today. I think it’s important to have this discussion to keep the … Continue reading

Posted in McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, Past, Recordings | Comments Off on Palestine/Israel: Britain’s role, then and now

Tragedy in Gaza: Britain’s legacy Scotland’s role

Conference Edinburgh March 2019 Gaza, under Israeli military occupation since 1967, is home to two million Palestinians. Most are there because in 1948, when Britain abandoned its Mandate for Palestine, Gaza gave refuge to Palestinians forced to flee from the … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Tragedy in Gaza: Britain’s legacy Scotland’s role

‘The news from Gaza: dispelling myths and telling the truth’

The Glasgow Balfour Project event. March 14, 2019. ( Held at the Sir Charles Wilson Building, Glasgow University, 7.30pm-9.30pm Thursday March 14, 2019) Hala Safadi, a film-maker from Gaza, made the essential point: “The truth is always censored for the … Continue reading

Posted in Past | Comments Off on ‘The news from Gaza: dispelling myths and telling the truth’

Conferences in Glasgow and Edinburgh

 March 14th and 17th 2019 On March 14th at  300 people at Glasgow University heard former British and Israeli diplomats and distinguished journalists speak on ‘The news from Gaza: dispelling myths and telling the truth’.  The following Sunday at Edinburgh University … Continue reading

Posted in Mandate Period, Past, Pre-Balfour Declaration | Comments Off on Conferences in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Britain Palestine Israel – 70 years on

Donate A  20-page booklet is now available containing the speeches at the conference of the Balfour Project in partnership with King’s College London (see below). The booklet also includes the Balfour Centenary Declaration, which has now been signed by 141 … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Mandate Period, Past, Post-Mandate Period, Pre-Balfour Declaration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Britain Palestine Israel – 70 years on

Mahatma Gandhi and the Wounds of History: Palestine, India and the British Empire in the 20th century

Professor Rajmohan Gandhi,   Committee Room 14,  in the House of Commons, London,  18th April 2017     The British Parliament does not often hear an Asian perspective on the Middle East. The very term ‘Middle East’ is Europe-centred; in India … Continue reading

Posted in Past | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Mahatma Gandhi and the Wounds of History: Palestine, India and the British Empire in the 20th century

Reclaiming the lost Jewish voices of the Balfour Declaration, by Robert Cohen

This article was part of Robert Cohen’s talk  at the Balfour Project conference,’How will we mark the centenary of the Balfour Declaration’ in Southwark Cathedral on November 5th 2016:   A leading British Rabbi has written: “Zionism and Zionistic activities not … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Past, Zionism Debate | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Reclaiming the lost Jewish voices of the Balfour Declaration, by Robert Cohen

Balfour Declaration Centenary, 2017: towards constructive commemoration

‘I never knew that ……’ Liverpool Hope University 1st October 2016. The use of round tables in the Eden Arbour Room at Liverpool Hope University facilitated a welcome and a warmth to the buzz of conversation as participants in the … Continue reading

Posted in Past | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Balfour Declaration Centenary, 2017: towards constructive commemoration

‘Britain in Palestine’ shown in UK Parliament

Parliamentarians from all four of Britain’s main political parties sponsored a showing of ‘Britain in Palestine, 1917-1948’ in The Attlee Suite – one of the main conference suites in the British Parliament. The audience of 130 watched the documentary, which … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Past, Pre-Balfour Declaration | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Britain in Palestine’ shown in UK Parliament

Britain made the mess and should help sort it out

Scores of people squeezed into Sarum College, Salisbury, to hear from experts on the Balfour Declaration of 1917 which gave British support to a home for Jews in historical Palestine. The Very Reverend Nicholas Frayling said the declaration was the … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Past | Comments Off on Britain made the mess and should help sort it out

Britain and Palestine: past history & future role

Held at St Chad’s College Durham 31st October 2015 Summary Report Seventy people from places as far apart as Omagh, Norwich, Somerset, Inverness, Salisbury and Edinburgh, spent Saturday 31st October in Durham reflecting on Britain’s responsibilities, past and present, for … Continue reading

Posted in Events, McMahon-Hussein Correspondence, Past | Comments Off on Britain and Palestine: past history & future role

Talk by Sir Vincent Fean, recently retired UK Consul General in Jerusalem, at the Balfour Project annual conference

St Chad’s College, Durham University, 31 October 2015 ‘I believe there is a constructive role for the UK in bringing about a just peace. It is good to look back in order to look forward. The Balfour Declaration helped bring … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past | Tagged , | Comments Off on Talk by Sir Vincent Fean, recently retired UK Consul General in Jerusalem, at the Balfour Project annual conference

Thatcham Festival, The role of Britain in Palestine?

What has been the historic role of Britain that has led to the present day tragic situation in Israel/Palestine? This was the theme engaged with by a very mixed group of over seventy people as part of the Thatcham Festival. … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past | Comments Off on Thatcham Festival, The role of Britain in Palestine?

‘Britain should be more active in helping resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict’

Commemorating the 97th Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration Report of Balfour Project conference, Britain in Palestine 1917-1948 in St John’s College, Oxford, Oct 30th 2014. A common theme from speakers at the Balfour Project’s annual event was that Britain’s history … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Britain should be more active in helping resolve Israeli-Palestinian conflict’

“Are we trapped by our own narratives?” by Tony Klug

Tony Klug, speaking at the Balfour Project conference in October 2013 spoke stirringly to the question “Are we trapped by our own narratives?” He began by demonstrating that everyone becomes a player in this seemingly intractable conflict, where what passes … Continue reading

Posted in Past | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on “Are we trapped by our own narratives?” by Tony Klug

Healing the Wounds of History: Looking at the Balfour Declaration with New Eyes

Second annual Balfour Project conference to mark the 96th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration October 30th 2013

Posted in Events, Past | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Healing the Wounds of History: Looking at the Balfour Declaration with New Eyes

Evaluating the Balfour Declaration: Breaking the Deadlock in the Middle East

A one day conference exploring the different legacies of the Balfour Declaration and how a greater understanding of history can contribute to justice and peace in the Middle East today was held in Winchester University on May 18th 2013. Over … Continue reading

Posted in Balfour Declaration, Events, Past | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Evaluating the Balfour Declaration: Breaking the Deadlock in the Middle East

The Theology of the Land

The Promised Land – From the Nile to the Euphrates? I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Zionism, Evangelicals and Christian Zionism, Events, Past | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Theology of the Land

Britain in Palestine, Broken Promises

Broken promises: Britain in Palestine A one-day conference on the British responsibility for conflict between Israelis and Palestinians took place at the Quaker Meeting House in Edinburgh on Friday 2nd November. A full house included people of Christian, Muslim and … Continue reading

Posted in Events, Past | Comments Off on Britain in Palestine, Broken Promises