Palestinian Authority Chief Demands £2 Trillion In Reparations From Britain
- 24.09.2025, 15:58
This was right after London recognized Palestine.
Britain, which a few days ago along with a number of other states recognized the Palestinian state, is facing a response it never expected.
President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas, citing international law, is demanding compensation from the country for land and alleged injustices committed during British rule. At issue is two trillion pounds sterling, writes The Winnipeg Sun.
This sum, equivalent to the size of the entire British economy, is based on Britain's historical record of ruling Palestine from 1917 to 1948.
The UK ruled Palestine during this period, publishing the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which promised the Jewish population a homeland, causing tensions with the Arab population.
As reported by The Sunday Guardian, the demand has already split British politics, sparking a violent reaction. Shadow Home Secretary Robert Jenrick called it "anti-historical nonsense" and promised that no taxpayer funds would be used.
The leader of the UK Reform party, Nigel Farage, said the recognition was a mistake, while some Labour MPs repeated previous arguments in favor of reparations.
The British government had previously argued that the recognition was symbolic and did not entail any financial obligations.
Lawyers said the likelihood of successfully obtaining reparations was extremely low. They cited sovereign immunity, a long statute of limitations and lack of direct causation as barriers to bringing such claims.
Analysts note, however, that the claim retains political significance because it turns a symbolic gesture into leverage.
The Palestinian Authority has made clear it will use the recognition as a basis for further political and financial claims.
The U.K. experience has already highlighted the risks, and questions remain as to whether Canada will face a similar Analysts emphasize that the issue is not so much whether reparations will succeed in court, but rather the expectation of the legitimacy of such claims. Once this expectation takes root, it could change the political debate and fuel discontent among allied countries.