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Palestinians stage Balfour protests across the West Bank

Demonstrations in Hebron, Ramallah and Jerusalem on centenary of British Foreign Secretary's declaration

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Thousands of Palestinians have marched in demonstrations across the West Bank to protest against the Balfour declaration on its centenary.

Up to 3,000 people marched from central Ramallah to the city’s British Consulate waving black flags and banners.

Demonstrations also took place in Hebron, where one placard read: “Balfour declaration: a promise from those who do not own to those who are not entitled.”

Another banner superimposed a red handprint upon the images of Balfour and UK Prime Minister Theresa May under the words “No pride in colonialism”.

Rawada Odeh, a demonstrator in Jerusalem, told AP she was protesting because the declaration had neglected the fact that there was a “Palestinian population here in our land.”

The West Bank demonstrations came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited London for a private dinner to mark the centenary.

Earlier on Thursday he held talks with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, where she reiterated Britain’s support for a two-state solution but praised the Balfour declaration.

“The Prime Minister said the UK is proud of the role that we played in the creation of the state of Israel and we mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration today with pride and respect,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

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