Gerald Oberman distorts the historical roots of the current Middle East conflict (Letters, August 15).

The map of the Middle East was redrawn at the end of the First World War. Iraq and Transjordan (Jordan) came under a British mandate, with Lebanon and Syria under a French mandate.

Prior to British occupation in 1917, Palestine was an independent state comprised of Muslims, Christians and Jews, all Arabic-speaking, and an integral part of Turkey.

Everyone enjoyed equal civil and political rights with the Turks and Palestine was already well inhabited and cultivated.

In 1917, the British government's Balfour Declaration favoured the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people, to be achieved without consultation with the indigenous people.

US president Wilson was the only one to stand up for the principle of consultation at Versailles, so the Balfour Declaration was upheld and Palestine and the Jewish home were regarded as colonial under a British mandate. In 1948, the state of Israel was established by the United Nations.

It was set up on a colonial basis but, as Britain was losing her empire, this caused difficulties.

The holocaust was a European crime and to ease the guilt the Palestinians have been dispossessed.

The size of Arab lands is irrelevant and an unnecessary argument.

We need an honest approach to overcome the misdeeds of the past.

Let us remember our youth.

  • Margaret Ashley, Waldegrave Road, Brighton