(MENAFN) As the world marks 108 years since the Balfour Declaration, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s continued expansion in the occupied West Bank have reignited debates over the colonial roots of the Palestinian tragedy.

The Balfour Declaration, issued in 1917 by Britain’s foreign secretary Arthur James Balfour, pledged support for “a national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, laying the foundation for decades of displacement and conflict. Over a century later, the struggle over land, sovereignty, and justice remains unresolved.

In Bahrain, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reiterated his country’s position on stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis. Speaking at the 21st Manama Dialogue 2025 during a panel on “The Future of Global Security Governance,” Safadi emphasized that “the immediate priority is to ensure full adherence to the Gaza ceasefire and to address the war’s devastating humanitarian consequences.”

His statements reflect Jordan’s ongoing efforts to uphold international law, maintain regional stability, and facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza, particularly as renewed Israeli violations of the truce raise international concern.

Political analyst Amer Sabaileh described the current period as “a defining moment” for the region, urging leaders to move beyond outdated frameworks. In remarks to The Jordan Times, he stressed, “Many changes have occurred recently, and it’s time to stop viewing the future through the lens of the past. We need new approaches that respond to current realities rather than repeating what was required a century ago.”

Echoing this view, political and military analyst Nidal Abu Zeid argued that events in Gaza and the West Bank are interconnected, framing Israel’s actions as “a continuation of a historic colonial model deeply rooted in Zionist ideology.” He explained, “The Israeli occupation operates under a traditional colonial framework built on three principles, the enemy of necessity, the absence of lasting peace, and the perpetuation of war.” Abu Zeid added that through operations in Gaza, settlement expansion in the West Bank, and control over the Jordan Valley and southern Lebanon, Israel continues a systematic colonial project justified by political and religious narratives.

The Balfour Declaration itself ignored the rights of the Arab population in Palestine, a promise made “by those who did not own to those who did not deserve,” setting off a century-long conflict that reshaped the region’s political landscape. Today, Palestinians see the blockade, displacement, and destruction in Gaza as a continuation of that original injustice. What began as a diplomatic letter has grown into a modern humanitarian catastrophe, denying Palestinians their right to statehood and peace.

Jordan continues to play a pivotal role in humanitarian coordination for Gaza, supporting UN relief efforts and advocating for a political horizon that guarantees a viable Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This anniversary of the Balfour Declaration underscores the ongoing struggle and the need for new approaches to achieve justice, stability, and a lasting resolution in the region.

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