I am apalled at Tom Gregg’s response below. I believe one of the best books written on this issue is the Lemon Tree. Last night it was heartening to hear Biden talk of a two State solution. I do understand the right of return. All over the world land has been taken from indigenous populations through conquest and military strength, and as recorded in the Lemon Tree this one is a very, very complex issue.

The effects of colonialism are horrendous and Israel and Palestine, like Pakistan and India, and the division of Africa into geographic rather than tribal regions, reflect it’s bloody and impossible heritage. Trump has excerbated this wound and it will take true states people in both Israel and Palestine to figure it out.

Below the words of Lord Balfour as he decided the fate of the Palestinians and established the State of Israel.

His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

This agreement stemmed from the Russian pogroms at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and used the power of the British colonial system and it’s military to return Jews to the land of their roots. It’s intent has not yet been fulfilled and the Palestinians had no say in the matter.

An old but sad story of British colonial policy, similar to the division of India into India and Pakistan by another British conservative nobleman, Lord Mountbatten, which took place in just five days.