British celebrities urge government to apologize for UK’s role in Palestine during Mandate era
LONDON: Dozens of British celebrities, including singer Paloma Faith and actor Juliet Stevenson, have signed an open letter urging the UK government to formally apologize for its actions in Palestine during the Mandate period between 1917 and 1948.
The letter was released on May 15, Nakba Day, which commemorates the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and land in 1948. It calls on the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, to acknowledge what campaigners describe as the UK’s “direct responsibility” for historic injustices in Palestine.
Other signatories include comedian Alexei Sayle, actor Billy Howle, writer Robert Macfarlane and businessman Dale Vince.
Their appeal supports a 400-page legal petition that was submitted to the British government in September 2025 by the Britain Owes Palestine campaign. It was drafted by human rights lawyers Ben Emmerson and Danny Friedman, alongside academic researchers.
