Palestinian Family Confronts UK Government Over Historic Grievances

A Palestinian delegation, led by two generations of the Al Masri family, delivered a legal petition to Downing Street on March 15, 2024, demanding accountability from the British government for historical actions in Palestine. The petition calls for recognition of the alleged crimes committed during the British Mandate from 1917 to 1948, which the petitioners assert laid the groundwork for the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Munib Al Masri, 91, recalls a traumatic experience from his youth when he was shot by British forces while protesting near his home in Nablus, then part of the British Mandate of Palestine. “I was shouting ‘down with Balfour’,” he said, referencing the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which promised support for a Jewish homeland in the region. Fast forward to 2011, and his grandson, also named Munib Al Masri, was similarly shot during a peaceful demonstration on the Lebanese border, an incident that left him wheelchair-bound.

“It was an unarmed protest,” the younger Al Masri recalled. “We didn’t try to cross the border or anything. But I was shot. Others were shot. Some were killed that day.” His statement underscores the enduring impact of conflict on Palestinian lives, as he expressed a desire for justice and reconciliation while acknowledging the ongoing suffering of his people.

The petition, supported by 14 other Palestinians and drafted by human rights lawyers, argues that the British Mandate constituted an illegal occupation. The document asserts that Britain violated the human rights of Palestinians during its administration and exacerbated regional divisions through its withdrawal. The petitioners contend that the current conflict was “made in Britain” and insist on an official apology and reparations as part of their newly launched campaign, Britain Owes Palestine.

Arriving at Downing Street shortly before their scheduled presentation at 15:00, the Al Masris were joined by prominent figures including Avi Shlaim, an Iraqi-born Israeli historian, and Victor Kattan, a legal academic and pro-Palestine activist. The scene was poignant: a 91-year-old man presenting his identity documents to a British security officer at the entrance, symbolizing the weight of history.

As they approached the iconic black door of Number 10, Munib Al Masri Jr. maneuvered his wheelchair with determination, while his grandfather stood unaided to present the 400-page petition. Kattan knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet street, announcing their arrival and request for justice. An official accepted the petition, briefly posing for photographs before disappearing inside.

“The Balfour Declaration was the worst thing ever written,” the elder Al Masri stated emphatically. “It was not ethical, it was not legal, and every word in it was not right.” Despite the adversities he faced, his grandson expressed optimism about the significance of the moment: “I am very proud to be here with my grandfather. I am hopeful that, soon, Palestine will get its day.”

Should the British government choose to ignore the petition, the delegation’s advisers have indicated that legal action may follow. The Al Masri family’s efforts highlight the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice within the broader context of Palestinian rights and historical grievances against colonial legacies.