Recorded live at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this episode of Palestine Matters explores the historic role of Britain in shaping the Israel–Palestine conflict - and what responsibility Britain carries today.
Host: Diana Safieh, Britain Palestine Project Guests:
Sir Vincent Fean – Former British Consul-General in Jerusalem (2010–2014), former Ambassador to Libya, and BPP trustee.
William Dalrymple – Historian and bestselling author, widely known for his work on empires and their legacies.
👉 Together, they examine:
How Britain’s policies during and after WWI laid the foundations of today’s conflict.
The Balfour Declaration and its lasting consequences.
Britain’s violent suppression of the Arab Revolt (1936–39), including the use of torture and collective punishment.
The failure of Britain’s Mandate to protect Palestinians or prepare them for independence.
The Nakba of 1947–48 and Britain’s responsibility in creating the refugee crisis.
Why British education neglects empire and Palestine, and the consequences of public ignorance.
How international law defines the occupation and why recognition of Palestine must be more than symbolic.
Concrete measures Britain and allies should take now: ending arms sales, sanctions, and trade restrictions with settlements.
✨ The conversation also touches on cultural and historical context — from shared sacred traditions in pre-Mandate Palestine to new historical research on Gaza and the deep continuity of the Palestinian people.
📣 Special Announcement: We are delighted to welcome William Dalrymple as a new patron of the Britain Palestine Project.
🎧 Palestine Matters is available on all podcast platforms, on YouTube, and via our website. Just search Britain Palestine Project.