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(New profile: Scottish charity SC047090 (formerly Balfour Project) – OSCR, 2024-25 accounts, Hansard) |
(v2: relabel source labels ('partisan' → movement-side)) |
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| area_served = United Kingdom (advocacy on Israel/Palestine) | | area_served = United Kingdom (advocacy on Israel/Palestine) | ||
| revenue = £205,861 (year to 2025-07-31) | | revenue = £205,861 (year to 2025-07-31) | ||
| + | | key_people = [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] (chair, per website); [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|Andrew Whitley]] (chair, per 2024-25 accounts) | ||
| website = https://www.britainpalestineproject.org | | website = https://www.britainpalestineproject.org | ||
| logo = [[File:Balfour_Declaration_1917_letter.jpg|200px]] | | logo = [[File:Balfour_Declaration_1917_letter.jpg|200px]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
| − | '''[[Britain Palestine Project]]''' is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered on 12 January 2017. It was called the '''Balfour Project''' until 19 February 2025, according to the register.<ref name="OSCR_REG">[[Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator]], [https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC047090 Britain Palestine Project (SC047090)] ''Scottish Charity Register'', retrieved 20 October 2026.</ref> Its 2024-25 report says it works "to highlight Britain's record in Palestine before, during, and after the Mandate" and to "build a national movement for justice for Palestinians". The report also describes a vision of "Lasting peace with justice, security and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis alike".<ref name="ACC">[[Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator]], [https://oscr-docs.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/annual-report-and-financial-statements-2024-to-2025-0147GKMYNLD3EVQ5VGDNG3NBGKB6ELSAIB.pdf Britain Palestine Project: Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements, year ended 31 July 2025] (PDF, filed with OSCR), retrieved 20 October 2026.</ref> The charity sets out its aims in its own ( | + | '''[[Britain Palestine Project]]''' is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered on 12 January 2017. It was called the '''Balfour Project''' until 19 February 2025, according to the register.<ref name="OSCR_REG">[[Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator]], [https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC047090 Britain Palestine Project (SC047090)] ''Scottish Charity Register'', retrieved 20 October 2026.</ref> Its 2024-25 report says it works "to highlight Britain's record in Palestine before, during, and after the Mandate" and to "build a national movement for justice for Palestinians". The report also describes a vision of "Lasting peace with justice, security and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis alike".<ref name="ACC">[[Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator]], [https://oscr-docs.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/annual-report-and-financial-statements-2024-to-2025-0147GKMYNLD3EVQ5VGDNG3NBGKB6ELSAIB.pdf Britain Palestine Project: Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements, year ended 31 July 2025] (PDF, filed with OSCR), retrieved 20 October 2026.</ref> The charity sets out its aims in its own (Britain Palestine Project-side) terms; this page reports those statements together with the register and accounts. |
| + | |||
| + | According to the charity's website, [[Roger Spooner (scientist)|Roger Spooner]] co-founded the Balfour Project in 2011 with his wife, [[Monica Spooner]], who was its first chair.<ref name="WEBT">Britain Palestine Project, [https://www.britainpalestineproject.org/trustees Trustees] ''Britain Palestine Project'' (Britain Palestine Project-side), retrieved 21 October 2026.</ref> The SCIO was registered in 2017.<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> | ||
== Objects and activities == | == Objects and activities == | ||
| − | The registered object reads: "By a process of education, to advance public understanding of Britain's role in the Middle East in the twentieth century, and thereby to seek to advance reconciliation in Israel and Palestine". Its purposes are "the advancement of education" and "the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation".<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> | + | The registered object reads: "By a process of education, to advance public understanding of Britain's role in the Middle East in the twentieth century, and thereby to seek to advance reconciliation in Israel and Palestine". Its purposes are "the advancement of education" and "the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation".<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> Under "What the charity is set up to do and how it does this", the register entry says: "We do this by researching and explaining Britain's historical and current role in Israel/Palestine, promoting informed public discussion, and encouraging policy that upholds international law, equal rights and a just peace. Our activities include public education, publications, events, advocacy, and engagement with policymakers, academics, civil society and the wider public." Main operating location: City of Edinburgh. Beneficiaries: "No specific group, or for the benefit of the community".<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> |
| + | |||
| + | The constitution was adopted on 12 January 2017 and revised on 31 January 2018, 1 July 2019, 4 May 2021, 29 March 2024 and 19 June 2025. The name change was made by constitutional amendment in December 2024. In June 2025, clause 18 was changed so that trustees' three-year terms run from formal appointment, and clause 19 was changed to cut the compulsory break after three consecutive terms from two years to one. The report says that "Exceptionally during this period the board had more than 12 members and the relevant clause in the constitution was amended to allow for this."<ref name="ACC" /> At the 2025 Strategy Day the trustees adopted a "Theory of Change" framework with four workstreams: "Advocacy and Law, History and Education, Delivery, and Communications".<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
The 2024-25 report lists the charity's asks of the UK Government. They include: "Acknowledge Britain's historical role in shaping 20th and 21st century Palestine/Israel"; "Support Palestinians and Israelis in building a peaceful future based on equal rights, justice and security for all"; and "Work for British Government recognition of the State of Palestine. (The UK recognised Palestine in September 2025)".<ref name="ACC" /> For 2025-26 the trustees made "advocacy aimed at achieving concrete changes in UK Government policy" the "primary strategic priority".<ref name="ACC" /> | The 2024-25 report lists the charity's asks of the UK Government. They include: "Acknowledge Britain's historical role in shaping 20th and 21st century Palestine/Israel"; "Support Palestinians and Israelis in building a peaceful future based on equal rights, justice and security for all"; and "Work for British Government recognition of the State of Palestine. (The UK recognised Palestine in September 2025)".<ref name="ACC" /> For 2025-26 the trustees made "advocacy aimed at achieving concrete changes in UK Government policy" the "primary strategic priority".<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| Line 37: | Line 42: | ||
! Trustee !! Appointed !! Chair !! Other | ! Trustee !! Appointed !! Chair !! Other | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Andrew Whitley ( | + | | [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|Andrew Whitley]] || 2018 (website) || Chair (accounts); chair from 1 June 2022 (website) || Retired senior [[United Nations]] official; founded GeoPolitical Advisory Services (2017); "seven years in Israel and Palestine"; former [[BBC]] and ''Financial Times'' journalist (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Phyllis Starkey ( | + | | [[Phyllis Starkey (born 1947)|Phyllis Starkey]] || || || Vice-chair; former MP; "Phyllis Margaret Starkey" on OSCR; Labour MP 1997–2010 (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Frances Guy]] || || || Secretary; former ambassador | + | | [[Frances Guy]] || || || Secretary; former ambassador; ambassador to Yemen (2001–04) and Lebanon (2006–11); CEO of Scotland's International Development Alliance (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Timothy Mattar]] || || || Treasurer; chartered accountant, at Investcorp 1995–2024 (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Imad Karam ( | + | | [[Imad Karam (born 1976)|Imad Karam]] || || || Dr; Executive Director of Initiatives of Change International (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Nicolas Pelham]] || || || Middle East correspondent of ''[[The Economist]]''; formerly with the [[International Crisis Group]] (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Michael Scott-Baumann]] || || || History teacher and author; "has worked in the Jordan Valley under the auspices of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions" (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Roger Spooner ( | + | | [[Roger Spooner (scientist)|Roger Spooner]] || || || Professor, OBE; co-founder (2011); chaired British-Arab Exchanges for 12 years (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Vincent Fean]] || || Chair until 1 June 2022 (website) || Sir; former consul-general in Jerusalem (2010–14); earlier ambassador to Libya (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Baron Frankal]] || || || Chief Executive of the [[Portland Trust]] (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Richard Burden]] || || || Former MP | + | | [[Richard Burden]] || || || Former MP; Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield 1992–2019 (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Salma Duncan]] || 2025-12-05 || || Barrister, managing partner of Anaraa Law (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Tim Livesey ( | + | | [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] || || Chair (website) || OSCR only; former UK diplomat, chief of staff to [[Ed Miliband]], chief executive of Embrace the Middle East; ecumenical accompanier on the West Bank (website) |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[ | + | | [[Zizette Darkazally]] || || || OSCR only (listed twice) |
|} | |} | ||
| − | The accounts name [[Andrew Whitley ( | + | The accounts name [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|A Whitley]] as chair. The charity's website now names [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] as chair, and Livesey also appears on the OSCR list.<ref name="OSCR_REG" /><ref name="WEB">[https://www.britainpalestineproject.org/ Britain Palestine Project website] (trustees and patrons pages), retrieved 20 October 2026.</ref> [[Zizette Darkazally]] appears twice on OSCR.<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> The details added to the table come from the charity's trustees page.<ref name="WEBT" /> Darkazally is not on that page.<ref name="WEBT" /> |
| + | |||
| + | The report says that no trustee was paid. Trustees' expenses were £3,269 for seven trustees in 2024-25, against £3,112 for four trustees in the 18 months to July 2024.<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| − | '''Patrons''' (2024-25 report): [[Tom Brake]]; [[Christopher Chessun (bishop)|Christopher Chessun]], Bishop of Southwark; [[James Curry (bishop)|James Curry]]; [[William Dalrymple (historian)|William Dalrymple]]; [[Peter Hain]]; [[Patricia Morris (politician)|Baroness Morris of Bolton]]; [[John Pritchard (bishop)|John Pritchard]]; [[Danny Rich (rabbi)|Rabbi Danny Rich]]; [[Jon Snow (journalist)|Jon Snow]]; [[ | + | '''Patrons''' (2024-25 report): [[Tom Brake]]; [[Christopher Chessun (bishop)|Christopher Chessun]], Bishop of Southwark; [[James Curry (bishop)|James Curry]]; [[William Dalrymple (historian)|William Dalrymple]]; [[Peter Hain]]; [[Patricia Morris (politician)|Baroness Morris of Bolton]]; [[John Pritchard (bishop)|John Pritchard]]; [[Danny Rich (rabbi)|Rabbi Danny Rich]]; [[Jon Snow (journalist)|Jon Snow]]; [[Monica Spooner]], described as co-founder; [[Nicholas Soames|Lord Soames of Fletching]]; [[Sayeeda Warsi]]; and [[Philippa Whitford]].<ref name="ACC" /> |
=== Historical trustees === | === Historical trustees === | ||
| − | [[ | + | Chairs, according to the charity's website: [[Monica Spooner]] (first chair); [[Vincent Fean|Sir Vincent Fean]], until 1 June 2022; [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|Andrew Whitley]], from 1 June 2022; and [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] (current).<ref name="WEBT" /> |
| + | |||
| + | [[Martha Scott-Cracknell|M Scott-Cracknell]] and [[Michael Doe (bishop)|Revd Dr M Doe]] are shown as having resigned on 5 December 2025, and [[Salma Duncan|S Duncan]] as appointed that day.<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | === People: trustees, officers and staff === | ||
| + | This table brings together everyone named as running the charity in the sources found: the 2013 website (Steering Group and Advisers), the reports for 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25, the charity's trustees and team pages (current and archived) and the Scottish Charity Register. The reports for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2020-21 are not published by OSCR or on the charity's website, so trustees who served only between 2017 and 2019, or only in 2020-21, may be missing. Before June 2019 the Advisory Forum was called the Steering Group, and the 2019-20 report says that "Hitherto the Trustees have been drawn from the Advisory Forum/Steering Group".<ref name="P_AR1920" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| + | |+ People who run or have run the Balfour Project / Britain Palestine Project | ||
| + | ! Name !! Status !! Role(s) !! From !! To !! Source | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|Andrew Whitley]] || Current || Trustee; chair from 1 June 2022 || 2018 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 || – || <ref name="P_WB2023T">Balfour Project, [https://web.archive.org/web/20230515151937/https://balfourproject.org/trustees/ Trustees] ''Balfour Project'' (Balfour Project-side), archived by the [[Internet Archive]] on 15 May 2023, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_AR1920">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BP-Trustee-Report-Annual-Accounts-2020.pdf Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements, 1st February 2019 – 31st January 2020] (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_AR2122">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/BP-Annual-Report-Accounts-2021-22.pdf Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statement, 1 February 2021 – 31 January 2022] (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_AR2223">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BP-Annual-Report-Accounts-2023.pdf Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statement, 1 February 2022 – 31 January 2023] (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] || Current || Trustee; chair (website) || not stated || – || <ref name="OSCR_REG" /><ref name="P_WHO">Britain Palestine Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/who-we-are/ Who we are] ''Britain Palestine Project'' (Britain Palestine Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Phyllis Starkey (born 1947)|Phyllis Starkey]] || Current || Trustee; vice chair || 1 June 2022 || – || <ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_AR2324">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Balfour-Project-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statement-2023-2024-.pdf Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements, 1st February 2023 to 31st July 2024] (Balfour Project-side), signed 12 April 2025, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Timothy Mattar]] || Current || Treasurer || June 2024 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Frances Guy]] || Current || Trustee; secretary (2024-25) || September 2023 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /><ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Roger Spooner (scientist)|Roger Spooner]] || Current || Co-founder (2011); Steering Group (2013); trustee || 2011 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 || – || <ref name="WEBT" /><ref name="P_WB2013">Balfour Project, [https://web.archive.org/web/20130801162749/http://www.balfourproject.org/about-2/ About] ''The Balfour Project'' (Balfour Project-side), archived by the [[Internet Archive]] on 1 August 2013, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Vincent Fean]] || Current || Trustee; chair until 1 June 2022; then vice chair (2022-23) || by 2019-20 (chair); second term from 4 May 2021 || – || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_WB2023T" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Imad Karam (born 1976)|Imad Karam]] || Current || Steering Group (2013); trustee || by 2013; second term from 4 May 2021 || – || <ref name="P_WB2013" /><ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Richard Burden]] || Current || Trustee || 7 December 2021 || – || <ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_WB2022PT">Balfour Project, [https://web.archive.org/web/20220405120926/https://balfourproject.org/patrons-trustees/ Patrons & Trustees] ''Balfour Project'' (Balfour Project-side), archived by the [[Internet Archive]] on 5 April 2022, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Baron Frankal]] || Current || Trustee || June 2024 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Nicolas Pelham]] || Current || Trustee || June 2024 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Michael Scott-Baumann]] || Current || Trustee || June 2024 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Salma Duncan]] || Current || Trustee || 5 December 2025 || – || <ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Zizette Darkazally]] || Current || Trustee (OSCR only) || not stated || – || <ref name="OSCR_REG" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Monica Spooner]] || Former || Co-founder (2011); first chair; Steering Group (2013); trustee; now patron || 2011 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 || December 2023 || <ref name="WEBT" /><ref name="P_WB2013" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Martha Scott-Cracknell]] || Former || Peace Advocacy Fellow (2020-21); Programmes Assistant, then Programmes Officer, from 1 August 2021; EXCO; trustee || 1 August 2021 (staff); June 2024 (trustee) || 5 December 2025 || <ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_WB2022TEAM">Balfour Project, [https://web.archive.org/web/20220818015124/https://balfourproject.org/team/ Team] ''Balfour Project'' (Balfour Project-side), archived by the [[Internet Archive]] on 18 August 2022, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_AR2324" /><ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Michael Doe (bishop)|Michael Doe]] || Former || Trustee; maintained risk register (2022-23); secretary || 23 March 2022 || 5 December 2025 || <ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_WB2023T" /><ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Nicholas Frayling]] || Former || Trustee; now chair of the Advisory Forum || by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 || December 2023 || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /><ref name="P_WHO" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[John McHugo (born 1951)|John McHugo]] || Former || Trustee; supervised the Peace Advocacy Fellowships || by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 || June 2024 || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Peter Shambrook]] || Former || Adviser (2013); trustee; historical consultant || by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 || June 2024 || <ref name="P_WB2013" /><ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Alison Waugh (trustee, Britain Palestine Project)|Alison Waugh]] || Former || Trustee; treasurer || by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 || June 2024 || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Sandra Hamrouni]] || Former || Trustee || June 2023 || September 2024 || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Peter Riddell (peace activist)|Peter Riddell]] || Former || Steering Group (2013); trustee ("Peter J Riddell") || by 2013 || between the 2019-20 and 2021-22 reports || <ref name="P_WB2013" /><ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Magan Singodia]] || Former || Trustee; secretary || by 2019-20 || 2022 AGM ("retiring as Trustee at the end of the AGM") || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2122" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Mary Embleton || Former (2013 Steering Group) || Steering Group member ("Historian") || by 2013 || not known || <ref name="P_WB2013" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Mary Grey || Former (2013 Steering Group) || Steering Group member ("Theologian, writer and activist") || by 2013 || not known || <ref name="P_WB2013" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Stephen Sizer || Former (2013 Steering Group) || Steering Group member ("Anglican vicar and author") || by 2013 || not known || <ref name="P_WB2013" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Brian Brivati]] || Staff || Executive Director (first) || 15 January 2025 || – || <ref name="P_EDAPPT">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/appointment-of-executive-director-by-the-balfour-project/ Appointment of Executive Director by the Balfour Project] ''Britain Palestine Project'' (Britain Palestine Project-side), 15 January 2025, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref><ref name="P_WHO" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Matan Rosenstrauch]] || Staff (consultant) || Outreach to Jewish groups (from spring 2019); Peace Advocacy Fellowships Co-ordinator, part-time (from 1 October 2020) || spring 2019 || – || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | [[Diana Safieh]] || Staff (consultant) || Programmes Co-ordinator (part-time consultant); Events Manager || 1 March 2020 || – || <ref name="P_AR1920" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /><ref name="P_TEAM">Britain Palestine Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/programme-officers/ Team] ''Britain Palestine Project'' (Britain Palestine Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.</ref> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Eibhlín Priestley || Staff || Fellow (2021-22); History Education Assistant; Education Officer; Executive Committee || 1 November 2022 || – || <ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="P_AR2324" /><ref name="P_TEAM" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Lara Bird-Leakey || Former fellow; consultant || Executive Committee; managed the Masafer Yatta Project and Fellowship project support (2023-24) || 2023-24 || – || <ref name="P_AR2324" /> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | Ujala Syed || Staff || Fundraising and Administrative Executive Assistant || not stated || – || <ref name="P_TEAM" /> | ||
| + | |} | ||
== Finances == | == Finances == | ||
| Line 89: | Line 173: | ||
The period to 31 July 2024 ran for 18 months, from 1 February 2023, after the year end was changed.<ref name="ACC" /><ref name="OSCR_REG" /> In 2024-25, donations were £116,628, Gift Aid £13,453, grants £60,000, trading (mainly tickets) £5,959 and interest £4,307. Expenditure was £208,107, including staff costs of £47,129, and reserves stood at £200,473.<ref name="ACC" /> The trustees also estimate that donated services worth about £21,000 were received but not recognised as income.<ref name="ACC" /> | The period to 31 July 2024 ran for 18 months, from 1 February 2023, after the year end was changed.<ref name="ACC" /><ref name="OSCR_REG" /> In 2024-25, donations were £116,628, Gift Aid £13,453, grants £60,000, trading (mainly tickets) £5,959 and interest £4,307. Expenditure was £208,107, including staff costs of £47,129, and reserves stood at £200,473.<ref name="ACC" /> The trustees also estimate that donated services worth about £21,000 were received but not recognised as income.<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the 18 months to 31 July 2024, income of £268,646 was made up of donations of £182,447, Gift Aid of £19,557, grants of £55,000, trading of £10,570 and interest of £1,072. It included £14,988 of restricted income. Funds rose from £166,209 to £202,719.<ref name="ACC" /> At 31 July 2025, reserves comprised a designated reserve fund of £50,000 (about three months' running costs) and general funds of £150,473.<ref name="ACC" /> In 2024-25 the charity capitalised £16,990 of intellectual property. It also "controls two films", ''Britain in Palestine 1917 to 1948'' and ''From the Nakba to Camp David'', which the trustees value at about £10,000 and £6,000 but which are not on the balance sheet.<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 102: | Line 188: | ||
| [[A & S Bseisu Foundation]] || 5,000 || – | | [[A & S Bseisu Foundation]] || 5,000 || – | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | CAF Foundation ([[Charities Aid Foundation]]) || 15,000 || – | + | | [[CAF Foundation]] ([[Charities Aid Foundation]]) || 15,000 || – |
|- | |- | ||
| [[Asfari Foundation]] || 5,000 || – | | [[Asfari Foundation]] || 5,000 || – | ||
| Line 110: | Line 196: | ||
<ref name="ACC" /> | <ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| − | The independent examiner was David Nicholls FCCA of Brett Nicholls Associates.<ref name="ACC" /> | + | The independent examiner was [[David Nicholls (accountant)|David Nicholls]] FCCA of Brett Nicholls Associates.<ref name="ACC" /> The firm's address is Herbert House, 24 Herbert Street, Glasgow G20 6NB, and the charity's solicitors are [[Turcan Connell]].<ref name="ACC" /> |
== Funding in Israel == | == Funding in Israel == | ||
| Line 116: | Line 202: | ||
=== Israeli partners === | === Israeli partners === | ||
| − | No partner is named. Advocacy partners are described only as "partners and supporters".<ref name="ACC" /> | + | No partner is named. Advocacy partners are described only as "partners and supporters".<ref name="ACC" /> Some trustees have Israel/Palestine links in their own right, according to the charity's website. [[Michael Scott-Baumann|Mike Scott-Baumann]] has worked in the Jordan Valley "under the auspices of the [[Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions]]". [[Baron Frankal]] is chief executive of the [[Portland Trust]]. [[Tim Livesey (diplomat)|Tim Livesey]] spent three months as an "Ecumenical Accompanier on the West Bank".<ref name="WEBT" /> |
== Activity beyond the Green Line and support for the IDF == | == Activity beyond the Green Line and support for the IDF == | ||
| Line 135: | Line 221: | ||
* '''Unsigned report.''' In the copy filed with OSCR, the approval lines for the trustees' report and the balance sheet are left blank ("Approved by order of the board of trustees on ...").<ref name="ACC" /> | * '''Unsigned report.''' In the copy filed with OSCR, the approval lines for the trustees' report and the balance sheet are left blank ("Approved by order of the board of trustees on ...").<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
* '''Dating anomalies.''' The report for the year to 31 July 2025 records trustee changes on 5 December 2025 and the UK's September 2025 recognition of Palestine. It says the name change was approved by "the trustees, OSCR and Companies House", although a SCIO is not registered at Companies House.<ref name="ACC" /> | * '''Dating anomalies.''' The report for the year to 31 July 2025 records trustee changes on 5 December 2025 and the UK's September 2025 recognition of Palestine. It says the name change was approved by "the trustees, OSCR and Companies House", although a SCIO is not registered at Companies House.<ref name="ACC" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Media coverage == | ||
| + | In June 2023 episode 72 of [[Press TV]]'s ''Palestine Declassified'', presented by [[Chris Williamson]] with [[David Miller (Powerbase)|David Miller]] as resident expert, described the charity's work as normalisation and criticised its links to [[Yachad]] and its hosting of former Israeli ambassadors.<ref name="PTV72">[[Press TV]], [https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/06/10/705036/The-Balfour-project-of-normalization The Balfour project of normalization] ''Palestine Declassified'', episode 72, first aired 10 June 2023; video also at [https://rumble.com/v2tce26-episode-72-the-balfour-project-of-normalization.html Rumble]. Presented by [[Chris Williamson]] with [[David Miller (Powerbase)|David Miller]] and guest Eurig Scandrett. Timestamps refer to the broadcast, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref> The programme's report, also published as text on the Press TV page, said that the Balfour Project "is headed by Vincent Fean". The charity's records show that [[Andrew Whitley (born 1949)|Andrew Whitley]] had succeeded [[Vincent Fean]] as chair on 1 June 2022, and the 2022-23 report lists Fean as vice chair.<ref name="P_WB2023T" /><ref name="P_AR2223" /> The programme also said that [[Matan Rosenstrauch]] "works for the Israeli political party Meretz" (04:04). The charity's reports describe him as a part-time consultant and Peace Advocacy Fellowships Co-ordinator, and its 2024 conference report says he "is an organiser for Meretz UK".<ref name="P_AR2223" /><ref name="CONF2024">Balfour Project, [https://britainpalestineproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Balfour-Project-Conference-Report-2024_compressed.pdf Peace with Justice – How to get there: Balfour Project Conference Report 2024] (Balfour Project-side), July 2024, accessed 21 October 2026.</ref> | ||
== Other registers and records == | == Other registers and records == | ||
=== Scotland and Northern Ireland === | === Scotland and Northern Ireland === | ||
| − | OSCR registration SC047090, Regulatory Type "Standard". Staff: 1; volunteers: 1–50. The return for the year to 31 July 2026 is not yet due.<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> No Northern Ireland or England and Wales registration was found.<ref name="CCEW">[[Charity Commission for England and Wales]], ''Register of Charities public extract'' (charity table), extract dated 14 October 2026; searched by name and by the Scottish/Northern Ireland charity names in this batch – no England and Wales registration was found.</ref> | + | OSCR registration SC047090, Regulatory Type "Standard". Staff: 1; volunteers: 1–50. The return for the year to 31 July 2026 is not yet due.<ref name="OSCR_REG" /> No Northern Ireland or England and Wales registration was found.<ref name="CCEW">[[Charity Commission|Charity Commission for England and Wales]], ''Register of Charities public extract'' (charity table), extract dated 14 October 2026; searched by name and by the Scottish/Northern Ireland charity names in this batch – no England and Wales registration was found.</ref> |
=== The Gazette === | === The Gazette === | ||
| Line 167: | Line 256: | ||
* [https://www.britainpalestineproject.org Britain Palestine Project website] | * [https://www.britainpalestineproject.org Britain Palestine Project website] | ||
* [https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC047090 OSCR register entry] | * [https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC047090 OSCR register entry] | ||
| + | * [https://www.britainpalestineproject.org/trustees Trustees page] | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Latest revision as of 07:03, 21 October 2026
Edinburgh-based SCIO, formerly the Balfour Project, campaigning on Britain's historical and current role in Israel/Palestine, recognition of Palestine and international law; income £205,861 in 2024-25, including £15,000 from the Arab Ambassadors' Council
| Britain Palestine Project
| |
|---|---|
| Logo |  The Balfour Declaration (1917), from which the charity took its former name |
| Type | Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) |
| Founded | 2017-01-12 (SCIO registered); name changed from Balfour Project 2025-02-19 (register) |
| Registration ID | Scottish charity SC047090 |
| Headquarters | 30 S. Oswald Road, Edinburgh EH9 2HG (trustee address on the register) |
| Area served | United Kingdom (advocacy on Israel/Palestine) |
| Key people | Tim Livesey (chair, per website); Andrew Whitley (chair, per 2024-25 accounts) |
| Website | https://www.britainpalestineproject.org |
Britain Palestine Project is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered on 12 January 2017. It was called the Balfour Project until 19 February 2025, according to the register.[1] Its 2024-25 report says it works "to highlight Britain's record in Palestine before, during, and after the Mandate" and to "build a national movement for justice for Palestinians". The report also describes a vision of "Lasting peace with justice, security and equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis alike".[2] The charity sets out its aims in its own (Britain Palestine Project-side) terms; this page reports those statements together with the register and accounts.
According to the charity's website, Roger Spooner co-founded the Balfour Project in 2011 with his wife, Monica Spooner, who was its first chair.[3] The SCIO was registered in 2017.[1]
Objects and activities
The registered object reads: "By a process of education, to advance public understanding of Britain's role in the Middle East in the twentieth century, and thereby to seek to advance reconciliation in Israel and Palestine". Its purposes are "the advancement of education" and "the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation".[1] Under "What the charity is set up to do and how it does this", the register entry says: "We do this by researching and explaining Britain's historical and current role in Israel/Palestine, promoting informed public discussion, and encouraging policy that upholds international law, equal rights and a just peace. Our activities include public education, publications, events, advocacy, and engagement with policymakers, academics, civil society and the wider public." Main operating location: City of Edinburgh. Beneficiaries: "No specific group, or for the benefit of the community".[1]
The constitution was adopted on 12 January 2017 and revised on 31 January 2018, 1 July 2019, 4 May 2021, 29 March 2024 and 19 June 2025. The name change was made by constitutional amendment in December 2024. In June 2025, clause 18 was changed so that trustees' three-year terms run from formal appointment, and clause 19 was changed to cut the compulsory break after three consecutive terms from two years to one. The report says that "Exceptionally during this period the board had more than 12 members and the relevant clause in the constitution was amended to allow for this."[2] At the 2025 Strategy Day the trustees adopted a "Theory of Change" framework with four workstreams: "Advocacy and Law, History and Education, Delivery, and Communications".[2]
The 2024-25 report lists the charity's asks of the UK Government. They include: "Acknowledge Britain's historical role in shaping 20th and 21st century Palestine/Israel"; "Support Palestinians and Israelis in building a peaceful future based on equal rights, justice and security for all"; and "Work for British Government recognition of the State of Palestine. (The UK recognised Palestine in September 2025)".[2] For 2025-26 the trustees made "advocacy aimed at achieving concrete changes in UK Government policy" the "primary strategic priority".[2]
Activities in 2024-25, as reported:[2]
- school resources and a sixth-form lecture, "From the Balfour Declaration to Gaza Today";
- an advocacy Fellowship covering "UK arms exports, trade policy, and recognition of Palestinian statehood";
- an annual conference attended by over 200 people in person;
- briefings to parliamentarians and joint NGO initiatives "on arms exports and compliance with international humanitarian law";
- "sustained advocacy" on "the threatened displacement of Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta";
- a Substack and the "International Law in Crisis" podcast.
Trustees
Trustees in the 2024-25 accounts. The OSCR list has 15 entries, one of them a duplicate.[2][1]
| Trustee | Appointed | Chair | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Whitley | 2018 (website) | Chair (accounts); chair from 1 June 2022 (website) | Retired senior United Nations official; founded GeoPolitical Advisory Services (2017); "seven years in Israel and Palestine"; former BBC and Financial Times journalist (website) |
| Phyllis Starkey | Vice-chair; former MP; "Phyllis Margaret Starkey" on OSCR; Labour MP 1997–2010 (website) | ||
| Frances Guy | Secretary; former ambassador; ambassador to Yemen (2001–04) and Lebanon (2006–11); CEO of Scotland's International Development Alliance (website) | ||
| Timothy Mattar | Treasurer; chartered accountant, at Investcorp 1995–2024 (website) | ||
| Imad Karam | Dr; Executive Director of Initiatives of Change International (website) | ||
| Nicolas Pelham | Middle East correspondent of The Economist; formerly with the International Crisis Group (website) | ||
| Michael Scott-Baumann | History teacher and author; "has worked in the Jordan Valley under the auspices of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions" (website) | ||
| Roger Spooner | Professor, OBE; co-founder (2011); chaired British-Arab Exchanges for 12 years (website) | ||
| Vincent Fean | Chair until 1 June 2022 (website) | Sir; former consul-general in Jerusalem (2010–14); earlier ambassador to Libya (website) | |
| Baron Frankal | Chief Executive of the Portland Trust (website) | ||
| Richard Burden | Former MP; Labour MP for Birmingham Northfield 1992–2019 (website) | ||
| Salma Duncan | 2025-12-05 | Barrister, managing partner of Anaraa Law (website) | |
| Tim Livesey | Chair (website) | OSCR only; former UK diplomat, chief of staff to Ed Miliband, chief executive of Embrace the Middle East; ecumenical accompanier on the West Bank (website) | |
| Zizette Darkazally | OSCR only (listed twice) |
The accounts name A Whitley as chair. The charity's website now names Tim Livesey as chair, and Livesey also appears on the OSCR list.[1][4] Zizette Darkazally appears twice on OSCR.[1] The details added to the table come from the charity's trustees page.[3] Darkazally is not on that page.[3]
The report says that no trustee was paid. Trustees' expenses were £3,269 for seven trustees in 2024-25, against £3,112 for four trustees in the 18 months to July 2024.[2]
Patrons (2024-25 report): Tom Brake; Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark; James Curry; William Dalrymple; Peter Hain; Baroness Morris of Bolton; John Pritchard; Rabbi Danny Rich; Jon Snow; Monica Spooner, described as co-founder; Lord Soames of Fletching; Sayeeda Warsi; and Philippa Whitford.[2]
Historical trustees
Chairs, according to the charity's website: Monica Spooner (first chair); Sir Vincent Fean, until 1 June 2022; Andrew Whitley, from 1 June 2022; and Tim Livesey (current).[3]
M Scott-Cracknell and Revd Dr M Doe are shown as having resigned on 5 December 2025, and S Duncan as appointed that day.[2]
People: trustees, officers and staff
This table brings together everyone named as running the charity in the sources found: the 2013 website (Steering Group and Advisers), the reports for 2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25, the charity's trustees and team pages (current and archived) and the Scottish Charity Register. The reports for 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2020-21 are not published by OSCR or on the charity's website, so trustees who served only between 2017 and 2019, or only in 2020-21, may be missing. Before June 2019 the Advisory Forum was called the Steering Group, and the 2019-20 report says that "Hitherto the Trustees have been drawn from the Advisory Forum/Steering Group".[5]
| Name | Status | Role(s) | From | To | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Whitley | Current | Trustee; chair from 1 June 2022 | 2018 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 | – | [6][5][7][8][2] |
| Tim Livesey | Current | Trustee; chair (website) | not stated | – | [1][9] |
| Phyllis Starkey | Current | Trustee; vice chair | 1 June 2022 | – | [8][10][2] |
| Timothy Mattar | Current | Treasurer | June 2024 | – | [10] |
| Frances Guy | Current | Trustee; secretary (2024-25) | September 2023 | – | [10][2] |
| Roger Spooner | Current | Co-founder (2011); Steering Group (2013); trustee | 2011 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 | – | [3][11][5][7] |
| Vincent Fean | Current | Trustee; chair until 1 June 2022; then vice chair (2022-23) | by 2019-20 (chair); second term from 4 May 2021 | – | [5][7][8][6] |
| Imad Karam | Current | Steering Group (2013); trustee | by 2013; second term from 4 May 2021 | – | [11][5][7] |
| Richard Burden | Current | Trustee | 7 December 2021 | – | [7][12] |
| Baron Frankal | Current | Trustee | June 2024 | – | [10] |
| Nicolas Pelham | Current | Trustee | June 2024 | – | [10] |
| Michael Scott-Baumann | Current | Trustee | June 2024 | – | [10] |
| Salma Duncan | Current | Trustee | 5 December 2025 | – | [2] |
| Zizette Darkazally | Current | Trustee (OSCR only) | not stated | – | [1] |
| Monica Spooner | Former | Co-founder (2011); first chair; Steering Group (2013); trustee; now patron | 2011 (website); second term from 4 May 2021 | December 2023 | [3][11][7][10] |
| Martha Scott-Cracknell | Former | Peace Advocacy Fellow (2020-21); Programmes Assistant, then Programmes Officer, from 1 August 2021; EXCO; trustee | 1 August 2021 (staff); June 2024 (trustee) | 5 December 2025 | [7][8][13][10][2] |
| Michael Doe | Former | Trustee; maintained risk register (2022-23); secretary | 23 March 2022 | 5 December 2025 | [7][8][6][2] |
| Nicholas Frayling | Former | Trustee; now chair of the Advisory Forum | by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 | December 2023 | [5][7][10][9] |
| John McHugo | Former | Trustee; supervised the Peace Advocacy Fellowships | by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 | June 2024 | [5][7][10] |
| Peter Shambrook | Former | Adviser (2013); trustee; historical consultant | by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 | June 2024 | [11][5][7][10] |
| Alison Waugh | Former | Trustee; treasurer | by 2019-20; second term from 4 May 2021 | June 2024 | [5][7][10] |
| Sandra Hamrouni | Former | Trustee | June 2023 | September 2024 | [10] |
| Peter Riddell | Former | Steering Group (2013); trustee ("Peter J Riddell") | by 2013 | between the 2019-20 and 2021-22 reports | [11][5][7] |
| Magan Singodia | Former | Trustee; secretary | by 2019-20 | 2022 AGM ("retiring as Trustee at the end of the AGM") | [5][7][8] |
| Mary Embleton | Former (2013 Steering Group) | Steering Group member ("Historian") | by 2013 | not known | [11] |
| Mary Grey | Former (2013 Steering Group) | Steering Group member ("Theologian, writer and activist") | by 2013 | not known | [11] |
| Stephen Sizer | Former (2013 Steering Group) | Steering Group member ("Anglican vicar and author") | by 2013 | not known | [11] |
| Brian Brivati | Staff | Executive Director (first) | 15 January 2025 | – | [14][9] |
| Matan Rosenstrauch | Staff (consultant) | Outreach to Jewish groups (from spring 2019); Peace Advocacy Fellowships Co-ordinator, part-time (from 1 October 2020) | spring 2019 | – | [5][8][10] |
| Diana Safieh | Staff (consultant) | Programmes Co-ordinator (part-time consultant); Events Manager | 1 March 2020 | – | [5][8][10][15] |
| Eibhlín Priestley | Staff | Fellow (2021-22); History Education Assistant; Education Officer; Executive Committee | 1 November 2022 | – | [8][10][15] |
| Lara Bird-Leakey | Former fellow; consultant | Executive Committee; managed the Masafer Yatta Project and Fellowship project support (2023-24) | 2023-24 | – | [10] |
| Ujala Syed | Staff | Fundraising and Administrative Executive Assistant | not stated | – | [15] |
Finances
| Financial year end | Income | Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-31 | £123,525 | £71,227 |
| 2023-01-31 | £137,795 | £100,288 |
| 2024-07-31 (18 months) | £268,645 | £232,135 |
| 2025-07-31 | £205,861 | £208,107 |
Source: OSCR annual-return history (four periods; the year end changed in 2023).[1]
The period to 31 July 2024 ran for 18 months, from 1 February 2023, after the year end was changed.[2][1] In 2024-25, donations were £116,628, Gift Aid £13,453, grants £60,000, trading (mainly tickets) £5,959 and interest £4,307. Expenditure was £208,107, including staff costs of £47,129, and reserves stood at £200,473.[2] The trustees also estimate that donated services worth about £21,000 were received but not recognised as income.[2]
In the 18 months to 31 July 2024, income of £268,646 was made up of donations of £182,447, Gift Aid of £19,557, grants of £55,000, trading of £10,570 and interest of £1,072. It included £14,988 of restricted income. Funds rose from £166,209 to £202,719.[2] At 31 July 2025, reserves comprised a designated reserve fund of £50,000 (about three months' running costs) and general funds of £150,473.[2] In 2024-25 the charity capitalised £16,990 of intellectual property. It also "controls two films", Britain in Palestine 1917 to 1948 and From the Nakba to Camp David, which the trustees value at about £10,000 and £6,000 but which are not on the balance sheet.[2]
| Funder | Year to 31/7/25 (£) | Period 1/2/23–31/7/24 (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Chesterton's Foundation | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Arab Ambassadors' Council | 15,000 | 30,000 |
| Other grants | – | 20,000 |
| A & S Bseisu Foundation | 5,000 | – |
| CAF Foundation (Charities Aid Foundation) | 15,000 | – |
| Asfari Foundation | 5,000 | – |
| Munib & Angela Masri Foundation | 15,000 | – |
The independent examiner was David Nicholls FCCA of Brett Nicholls Associates.[2] The firm's address is Herbert House, 24 Herbert Street, Glasgow G20 6NB, and the charity's solicitors are Turcan Connell.[2]
Funding in Israel
The charity is an education and advocacy body based in the UK. The accounts show no grants or payments to organisations in Israel or the Palestinian territories.[2]
Israeli partners
No partner is named. Advocacy partners are described only as "partners and supporters".[2] Some trustees have Israel/Palestine links in their own right, according to the charity's website. Mike Scott-Baumann has worked in the Jordan Valley "under the auspices of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions". Baron Frankal is chief executive of the Portland Trust. Tim Livesey spent three months as an "Ecumenical Accompanier on the West Bank".[3]
Activity beyond the Green Line and support for the IDF
Findings are graded by confidence. "Partner" findings concern the recipient organisation, not proven use of the charity's funds.
| Finding | Confidence |
|---|---|
| Advocacy on Masafer Yatta (south Hebron hills, West Bank) and on UK policy; no funding is sent there.[2] | Not established (advocacy only) |
Support for the IDF: No IDF funding. The charity calls for changes to UK policy, including on arms exports.[2]
Controversies and regulatory action
- No OSCR inquiry report or Gazette notice naming the charity was found.[16]
- Funding from a diplomatic body. The Arab Ambassadors' Council gave £15,000 in 2024-25 (a quarter of grant income) and £30,000 in the previous 18-month period (over half of grant income).[2]
- Unsigned report. In the copy filed with OSCR, the approval lines for the trustees' report and the balance sheet are left blank ("Approved by order of the board of trustees on ...").[2]
- Dating anomalies. The report for the year to 31 July 2025 records trustee changes on 5 December 2025 and the UK's September 2025 recognition of Palestine. It says the name change was approved by "the trustees, OSCR and Companies House", although a SCIO is not registered at Companies House.[2]
Media coverage
In June 2023 episode 72 of Press TV's Palestine Declassified, presented by Chris Williamson with David Miller as resident expert, described the charity's work as normalisation and criticised its links to Yachad and its hosting of former Israeli ambassadors.[17] The programme's report, also published as text on the Press TV page, said that the Balfour Project "is headed by Vincent Fean". The charity's records show that Andrew Whitley had succeeded Vincent Fean as chair on 1 June 2022, and the 2022-23 report lists Fean as vice chair.[6][8] The programme also said that Matan Rosenstrauch "works for the Israeli political party Meretz" (04:04). The charity's reports describe him as a part-time consultant and Peace Advocacy Fellowships Co-ordinator, and its 2024 conference report says he "is an organiser for Meretz UK".[8][18]
Other registers and records
Scotland and Northern Ireland
OSCR registration SC047090, Regulatory Type "Standard". Staff: 1; volunteers: 1–50. The return for the year to 31 July 2026 is not yet due.[1] No Northern Ireland or England and Wales registration was found.[19]
The Gazette
No Gazette notice matches "Britain Palestine Project". Results for "Balfour Project" are routine company filing-list supplements that do not relate to the SCIO.[16]
Grants recorded by 360Giving
No grants to the charity are published in 360Giving data.[20]
Sanctions screening
The charity's names, trustees and patrons were screened. No match was found.[21]
Land and property
No land or buildings appear in the accounts. A SCIO cannot appear in CCOD. No title registers were bought.[22]
Parliament
Hansard records one contribution naming the "Britain Palestine Project" and seven naming the "Balfour Project":[23]
- Tom Brake, 16 November 2016 (Centenary of the Balfour Declaration): "I should perhaps declare that I am a patron of the Balfour Project".
- Crispin Blunt, 24 November 2021: "That is why we have the Balfour project, led by our former consul-general in Jerusalem, Sir Vincent Feen [sic]".
- Andy Slaughter, 3 July 2023 (Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill), listing briefings received, including "from the Balfour Project".
- Brendan O'Hara, 21 February 2024 (Ceasefire in Gaza), listing organisations including the Balfour Project.
- Joanna Cherry, 13 May 2024 (Palestinians: Visa Scheme): "I am a supporter of the Balfour Project".
- Lord Purvis of Tweed, 14 March 2025 (Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill [HL]): "There is also the Britain Palestine Project, which is the former Balfour Project."
Web archive
The Internet Archive holds captures of balfourproject.org from 2012 to 2025 and of britainpalestineproject.org from 2025.[24]
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Britain Palestine Project (SC047090) Scottish Charity Register, retrieved 20 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 2.26 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.30 2.31 Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, Britain Palestine Project: Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements, year ended 31 July 2025 (PDF, filed with OSCR), retrieved 20 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Britain Palestine Project, Trustees Britain Palestine Project (Britain Palestine Project-side), retrieved 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Britain Palestine Project website (trustees and patrons pages), retrieved 20 October 2026.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Balfour Project, Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements, 1st February 2019 – 31st January 2020 (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Balfour Project, Trustees Balfour Project (Balfour Project-side), archived by the Internet Archive on 15 May 2023, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 Balfour Project, Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statement, 1 February 2021 – 31 January 2022 (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Balfour Project, Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statement, 1 February 2022 – 31 January 2023 (Balfour Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Britain Palestine Project, Who we are Britain Palestine Project (Britain Palestine Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 Balfour Project, Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements, 1st February 2023 to 31st July 2024 (Balfour Project-side), signed 12 April 2025, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 Balfour Project, About The Balfour Project (Balfour Project-side), archived by the Internet Archive on 1 August 2013, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Balfour Project, Patrons & Trustees Balfour Project (Balfour Project-side), archived by the Internet Archive on 5 April 2022, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Balfour Project, Team Balfour Project (Balfour Project-side), archived by the Internet Archive on 18 August 2022, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Balfour Project, Appointment of Executive Director by the Balfour Project Britain Palestine Project (Britain Palestine Project-side), 15 January 2025, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Britain Palestine Project, Team Britain Palestine Project (Britain Palestine Project-side), accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 The Gazette: notices matching 'Britain Palestine Project' and the insolvency notice feed, The Gazette (London, Edinburgh and Belfast editions), searched 20 October 2026. "Balfour Project": 23 results, all routine filing-list supplements.
- ↑ Press TV, The Balfour project of normalization Palestine Declassified, episode 72, first aired 10 June 2023; video also at Rumble. Presented by Chris Williamson with David Miller and guest Eurig Scandrett. Timestamps refer to the broadcast, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Balfour Project, Peace with Justice – How to get there: Balfour Project Conference Report 2024 (Balfour Project-side), July 2024, accessed 21 October 2026.
- ↑ Charity Commission for England and Wales, Register of Charities public extract (charity table), extract dated 14 October 2026; searched by name and by the Scottish/Northern Ireland charity names in this batch – no England and Wales registration was found.
- ↑ 360Giving API, grants received by GB-SC-SC047090, 360Giving, queried 20 October 2026 – 0 grants returned.
- ↑ Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK Sanctions List (CSV, downloaded 17 October 2026); Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets (ConList.csv, 17 October 2026). Screening for the Scotland/Northern Ireland batch covered 93 name strings (the 12 charity names, current and former register trustees, trustees and officers named in the accounts read, and Companies House officers); no full-name match was found and 2,208 surname- or token-only hits were reviewed and rejected.
- ↑ HM Land Registry, UK companies that own property in England and Wales (CCOD) and Overseas companies (OCOD) datasets, October 2026 full files, searched by proprietor name and company number. No title registers were purchased.
- ↑ UK Parliament, Hansard search API: contributions matching the exact phrase "Britain Palestine Project" Hansard, queried 20 October 2026 (Spoken and Written endpoints; quoted-phrase searches for "Britain Palestine Project", "Balfour Project"). "Britain Palestine Project": 1 contribution; "Balfour Project": 7 contributions.
- ↑ Internet Archive Wayback Machine, CDX index queried 20 October 2026 – balfourproject.org: 14 years with successful captures, first 2012-04-04, latest 2025-01-01; britainpalestineproject.org: 2 years with successful captures, first 2025-01-14, latest 2026-01-01.