Selective memory is the answer. It is easy enough to understand why the British would prefer to forget that they needed the prior approval of Allies (the French, no less!). Initially, the British wanted the gratitude of the Jews for themselves. Later, when Zionism became a burden, they wanted the exclusive prerogative to downgrade the “national home” in any way they chose, without being second-guessed (by the Americans, of all people!). Even today, Britons ridden by imperial guilt over the Palestinians want the privilege to wallow in it alone. Britain, in this view, has a unique obligation to “set things right”—a remote echo of past imperial hubris.
The history’s all there, easy enough to read and understand for any marginally intelligent person interested in doing so. In many cases throughout the halls of power across the political vista, presumptuous policymakers prefer using this issue to leverage their own interests. The problem is, it all boils down to the same goddamned religious bullshyt roiling strife all over the planet, purveyed by craven power grabbers, eager to subjugate the masses for doing their selfish, greedy will.
Israel and the Palestinians are just pawns baited with religion in an irrelevant, centuries-old imperial chess game.
