Britain Palestine Project: Theory of Change
Britain Palestine Project – Strategic Objectives:
The organisation will:
1. Engage UK policymakers to ensure that foreign policy decisions uphold international law, equal rights, and commitments to a just peace in Israel/Palestine.
2. Embed principles of international law and human rights in the national conversation about Israel/Palestine, to emphasise legal obligations and support accountability.
3. Advance public understanding of the historical and contemporary dimensions of the Israel/Palestine issue through educational programmes and resources, highlighting Britain’s role and responsibility.
To achieve these objectives, it will: Build a robust, adaptive organisation that can deliver on its mission.
Background
As of 13th March, the Balfour Project became the Britain Palestine Project.
At this crucial moment in the history of the Middle East, as we witness attempts to eliminate international law from international relations, we believe this is the right time for our charity to evolve. After thorough discussions and valuable advice from our stakeholders, we have decided that from 13 March we will be known as the Britain Palestine Project (BPP).
This was no easy decision. Since the charity was formed eight years ago, the Balfour Project name has become widely recognised and, I hope, respected both in the UK, where our advocacy and educational work is focused, and elsewhere. But greater public awareness brought with it controversy. Some people assumed – wrongly – that the name implied we were apologists for the 1917 Balfour Declaration, when Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour promised the Zionist movement British support for a Jewish homeland in the Ottoman territory of Palestine. Now is not the time to be operating with a name that requires explanation.
In reality, our charity stands for something very different. We demand redress for the historic injustices done to the Palestinian people during the period of British imperial rule and subsequently, after Britain abandoned Palestine in 1948. At the same time, we endorse Britain’s recognition of the State of Israel in 1950.
Our charity deplores the many grave human rights violations inflicted on Palestinians, not least the continued illegal Occupation of 1967 denying their right to self-determination, and now the brutal onslaught on Gaza. We also acknowledge the right of Israelis to live in peace and security within the pre-June 1967 boundaries of their state. Security and peace must be a two-way street. Our approach will remain evidence based, historically informed and rooted in upholding international law.
What distinguishes the Britain Palestine Project is our emphasis on British responsibility and with it the duty to compensate for past mistakes by leading efforts to achieve a just and peaceful resolution, commensurate with Britain’s current positions as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council and self-declared upholder of international law world-wide. We aim to make Britain’s historic responsibility and contemporary role in the region a permanent part of our national conversation.
With your support, the Britain Palestine Project will work tirelessly to advance the cause of a just peace with equal rights for both peoples.
Peace with justice, security and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis
Mission Statement
The Britain Palestine Project was created by British citizens to highlight Britain’s record in Palestine before, during, and after the Mandate, effectively from 1840 to 1948, to the present day. Through education and advocacy, we work to advance equal rights for all in Palestine/Israel regardless of race or creed and achieve greater public awareness of Britain’s current and historic responsibilities in Palestine/Israel. We seek to persuade the British Parliament and Government to demand that the rule of law and fundamental human rights, including the right to self-determination and the implementation of international law, are upheld in Israel/Palestine.
The Britain Palestine Project asks the Government and people of the United Kingdom to:
- Acknowledge Britain’s historical role in shaping 20th and 21st century Palestine/Israel, particularly in light of the Balfour Declaration and the policies of the British Mandate;
- Support Palestinians and Israelis in building a peaceful future based on equal rights, justice and security for all;
- Work for British Government recognition of the State of Palestine.
One of the important issues that the Project aims to promote is the impact and significance of recognition. While the British Government recognised the State of Israel in 1950, Palestinians remain stateless, exiled, refugees or second-class citizens within Israel. We urge the Government to immediately recognise the State of Palestine as a step towards equality and an end to the occupation. Recognition of a Palestinian state would substantially improve the Palestinian position in international forums by enhancing its bargaining strengths and status. Advocacy of a Palestinian state does not mean that the Balfour Project takes a position on final status for the Palestine/Israel question.
Please click here for more information on the Project’s founding, mission and position on key issues.
Britain Palestine Project is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
Charity number SC047090