Balfour Declaration at the heart of the assault on Al Aqsa; occupation of Palestine

(CHICAGO 11/01/2014) – In perhaps one of the biggest ironies ever, British parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly in October to recognize a Palestinian state, just two weeks shy of the 97th commemoration Great Britain’s Balfour Declaration.

While Zionism, with its inherent racists and imperialist policies, is behind the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people, it is the Balfour Declaration that was the catalyst for the Zionist enterprise that ate up Palestinian land and dispossessed two-thirds of its indigenous population to create the state of Israel.

 The Balfour Declaration, written by Lord Arthur Balfour on behalf of the British Zionist Federation on Nov. 2, 1917, effectively gave consent to Zionists to colonize Palestine. As a result, Zionist ethnic cleansing of Palestinians began, with the forcible eviction 750,000 people and the destruction of more than 500 villages.

“His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country," British Foreign Minister Arthur James Balfour wrote to Lord Rothschild on Nov. 2, 1917.

We know Great Britain had no right to give away land they did not own and which belonged to the Palestinians. But also troubling is that a major stipulation of the Balfour Declaration – that the civil and religious rights of the existing Palestinian community must be inviolate -- is today entirely ignored.

International and even American law protect religious freedom worldwide, including in Palestine. The payment of American foreign aid is often contingent upon recipient countries upholding human rights and the freedom to worship, except when it comes to Israel. So why do we see Israel shutting down Al Aqsa mosque with no ramifications from the United States?

We, as Americans, are in the unique position to affect change by demanding the US government hold Israel to the same standards it holds other countries that receive US foreign aid. As we commemorate the tragic date of Nov. 2, 1917, let us make a vow to bring pressure to bear upon our elected officials. We must demand the US ends aid to Israel. We must demand Congress holds Israel accountable for its oppression of the Palestinian people. Let us commemorate the 97th year since the Balfour Declaration by renewing our commitment to the just and noble cause of Palestine. We must demand: End the occupation now!