'This War In West Asia Had Started 109 Years Ago': Palestinian Envoy At CNN-News18 War Conclave

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 19:45 IST

Palestinian envoy to India Abdullah Abu Shawesh says US Israel attack on Iran is a battle, claims Middle East war began with UKs 1917 Balfour Declaration and continues till today

Ambassador of Palestine to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, said that the attack on Iran by the US and Israel is a battle; the ‘WAR’ had started 109 years back. While speaking at the CNN-News18 War Conclave, Shawesh said, “Don’t look at this war as a month old, because it’s a historic war."

He said, ‘This is not a war; this is a battle. A war was started in the Middle East a long time ago, and the war was started, unfortunately, by the United Kingdom on November 2, 1917."

Speaking about the Balfour Declaration, he said, “The United Kingdom, which has zero footprint on our land, gifted our land, Palestine, to European Jews to get rid of them as part of the antisemitic phobia in Europe, and then exactly the war in the Middle East started."

“This war in the Middle East had started 109 years ago," he said.

Speaking further on the ongoing conflict, he said, “The war is not limited to Gaza, as in the West Bank, we Palestinians endure attacks by the Jewish settlers in the West Bank on a daily basis, which has cost us many lives."

Upon being asked about Palestine’s future, he said, “Thousands of Palestinians have been killed before their families, and no Israeli is ready to take accountability for those killings. This has cost us many of our loved ones. Every day Israeli terrorists target our people. We have been left behind."

‘14 Million Ready To Sacrifice’

As the war in West Asia continues to intensify, Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said more than 14 million citizens have expressed willingness to sacrifice their lives to defend the country as tensions escalate ahead of a US deadline on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Follow Live Updates Here

“More than 14 million Iranian people have declared their readiness to sacrifice their lives… I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran," Pezeshkian said.

His remarks come as US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz approaches, with Washington warning of massive strikes on critical infrastructure if Tehran fails to comply.

News world 'This War In West Asia Had Started 109 Years Ago': Palestinian Envoy At CNN-News18 War Conclave

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