This virtual event features distinguished speakers who will critically examine the role of Britain and the West in the century-long conflict in Palestine / Israel and will explore paths to lasting peace.
Session 1 - Panelists and Topics
Policy of Deceit – Britain’s role in fomenting a century of conflict in Palestine
Dr Peter Shambrook
The Times Literary Supplement describes Peter Shambrook’s book Policy of Deceit (Oneworld Academic, 2023) as a ‘forensic, fair-minded’ exposure of ‘how the The Times Literary Supplement describes Peter Shambrook’s book Policy of Deceit (Oneworld Academic, 2023) as a ‘forensic, fair-minded’ exposure of ‘how the British government broke its promises to the people of Palestine.’
Dr Shambrook is British, holds a PhD in modern Middle Eastern history from Cambridge University, and has held several research positions including at Durham University and at the Centre for Lebanese Studies in Oxford. He is the historical consultant to The Balfour Project, and the author of French Imperialism in Syria, 1927–1936 (Ithaca Press, 1998). He lives in Durham.
How can Britain and the West better contribute to peace and justice between Israel and Palestine?
Sir Vincent Fean
Sir Vincent Fean is a retired British diplomat and former Ambassador. He served as High Commissioner to Malta (2002–06), Ambassador to Libya (2006–10), and Consul General, Jerusalem (de facto ambassador to the Occupied Palestinian Territories) from 2010 to 2014. After retirement he chaired the Balfour Project, which works to advance equal rights for all in Palestine/Israel. In recent years he has spoken and written extensively in the British media on how Britain could help towards a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
A path towards a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis
Dr. Alon Liel
Dr Alon Liel is a former director general of the Foreign Ministry of Israel and was also Israel's ambassador to South Africa. In 2014 he was an instigator of a campaign by Israeli academics and former diplomats to encourage European governments to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, and has since worked assiduously for this recognition as a step towards justice and peace between Israel and Palestine.
