Over a Century After Creating Israel, the UK Finally Recognizes

Ohana Magazine – In 1917, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, which pledged support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour wrote the letter to Baron Lionel Walter Rothschild, a prominent Jewish leader in Britain. This declaration set the stage for the eventual establishment of Israel.

Zionist Lobbying Behind the Declaration

Zionist leaders Chaim Weizmann and Nahum Sokolow worked relentlessly in London to push the idea forward. Their lobbying efforts convinced Britain to make the declaration. Although the text included a clause promising not to harm the rights of non-Jewish communities in Palestine, the decision sparked lasting tension in the region.

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Rising Tensions and Britain’s Withdrawal

After the declaration, Jewish immigration to Palestine surged. This influx intensified clashes between Arab and Jewish communities. By April 1947, weary from World War II and eager to disengage from Middle Eastern affairs, Britain handed the Palestine issue to the United Nations for resolution.

UN Partition Plan and the Start of Conflict

The UN Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) presented two proposals. The majority plan supported two separate states with economic cooperation, while the minority plan proposed a single binational state with autonomy for both Jews and Arabs. Jewish leaders accepted the first plan, while Arab leaders rejected both. On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly approved the partition by a vote of 33 to 13, with 10 abstentions. This vote cleared the way for Israel’s creation but also fueled decades of conflict.

The UK Recognizes Palestine in 2025

On September 21, 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the UK officially recognized Palestine as a sovereign state. He made the statement at the United Nations, marking a dramatic shift in British foreign policy. For Palestinians, the recognition acknowledged their existence long before Israel’s establishment.

Updating Maps and Foreign Office Records

Following the recognition, the UK government revised its official maps and records. The Foreign Office changed the label from “Occupied Palestinian Territories” to “Palestine.” The updated maps identified Palestine as covering the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Foreign Office also added Palestine to its official list of states.

Palestine Establishes Embassy in London

Palestine soon opened an embassy in London. On September 22, 2025, officials inaugurated the building, which had previously served as a diplomatic mission. The new embassy symbolized not only diplomatic progress but also the UK’s acknowledgment of Palestinian sovereignty.

A Historic Reversal After a Century

For more than 100 years, Britain carried the reputation of enabling Israel’s creation while ignoring Palestinian statehood. By finally recognizing Palestine, the UK corrected part of its historical legacy. This move reshaped international diplomacy and offered Palestinians long-awaited global recognition of their sovereignty.