UK urged to act on colonial-era case after recognising Palestinian state

A legal petition alleges colonial-era war crimes by the UK in historical Palestine in 1917-48.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveUK urged to act on colonial-era war crimes case after recognising Palestinian state17 hours agoShareSaveTom BatemanState department correspondentShareSaveCentral Press/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesBritish soldiers escort a group of Arab prisoners from Jerusalem after a revolt against the British Mandate in Palestine. Photo: 26 October 1938Palestinians pursuing an apology from the UK over colonial-era war crimes allegations have urged the government to respond in light of its recognition this week of a state of Palestine.

The group submitted a 400-page legal petition to the Foreign Office earlier this month seeking an official apology and reparations from the UK.

They represent 13 families who say they were subjected to violence, exile or repression during the period known as the British Mandate in historical Palestine from 1917 until 1948.

Victor Kattan, who speaks for the petitioners, said the government had a responsibility to acknowledge what took place "to advance understanding and knowledge" about its past.

Speaking to the BBC during this week's UN conference in New York, he welcomed Britain's decision to recognise a Palestinian state - but argued it had not properly addressed the UK's historical conduct and legacy.