British policy towards Israel and Palestine has zigzagged since the First World War

Since the endorsement of a Jewish homeland by the British government in 1917, British policy towards Israel and Palestine has undergone numerous shifts. The Balfour Declaration marked a crucial moment in this history, with Labour and the left generally supporting the idea of a Jewish state. However, geopolitical considerations, particularly concerning the Suez Canal, influenced British policy. The closure of the canal by Egypt in 1967 and the subsequent oil crisis further reshaped British interests in the region. This changing dynamic has impacted the British perception of Israel and Palestine, with the left becoming more critical of Israel over time.