David Cronin Book Tour: Balfour’s Shadow: A Century of British Support for Zionism & Israel (23 – 28 Oct)

Between Monday 23rd and Saturday 28th October 2017 the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign is honoured to host Irish journalist David Cronin as he tours Ireland to launch his new book, ‘Balfour’s Shadow: A Century of British Support for Zionism and Israel’ (Pluto, 2017). Come along to one of the talks to hear from David – copies of the book will be available to buy at the event and the author will be happy to sign them after his talk.

Mon 23 Oct – Dublin: http://www.ipsc.ie/event/dublin-book-launch-balfours-sh...-ipsc
Tue 24 Oct – Limerick: http://www.ipsc.ie/event/limerick-book-launch-balfours-...-ipsc
Wed 25 Oct – Newbridge: http://www.ipsc.ie/event/newbridge-book-launch-balfours...-ipsc
Thur 26 Oct – Belfast: Time & Venue TBC
Fri 27 Oct – Derry: http://www.ipsc.ie/event/derry-book-launch-balfours-sha...-ipsc
Sat 28 Oct – Portadown: Time & Venue TBC

About the Book

“His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object.”

This is the infamous Balfour Declaration, which began one hundred years of conflict with the Palestinian people. Penned in 1917 by British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour, these words had an immense impact on history that still emanates a century later. In the controversial, fast-paced Balfour’s Shadow, David Cronin traces the story of the rhetorical and practical assistance that Britain has given to the Zionist movement and the state of Israel since that day. Skillfully and engagingly written, Balfour’s Shadow uses previously unreleased sources and archives to reveal a new side to an old story. Cronin focuses on important historical events such as the Arab Revolt, the Nakba and establishment of the state, the ‘56 and ‘67 wars, the Cold War, and controversial public figures like Tony Blair. Marking the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, Cronin provides a fascinating take on this oft-maligned, important history.

About the author

David Cronin is an Irish journalist and author who reports on the EU from Brussels. He has written for The Irish Times, The Guardian, Inter Press Service, TheJournal.ie, Electronic Intifada and others. His previous books include Corporate Europe: How Big Business Sets Policies on Food, Climate and War (Pluto, 2013) and Europe’s Alliance with Israel: Aiding the Occupation (Pluto, 2010).

Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East Correspondent
“Cronin describes vividly how, by deception, Britain’s imperial designs and perceived need for international Jewish support in wartime gave birth to the Balfour Declaration of November 1917, which handed Arab Palestine to the Zionist Movement, as a ‘Jewish national home’ or Jewish state. Cronin examines Britain’s continuing pernicious, deadly and lucrative relationship with Israel, its political support for Israel’s war crimes, and theft of Arab land and the mutual arms trade.”

Nur Masalha, editor of Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies
“It is not surprising that each year the November anniversary of the Balfour promise is celebrated by British friends of Israel and mourned by millions of dispossessed Palestinian refugees. Speaking the truth about the catastrophic consequences of British support for Zionism, this amply documented book shows how Britain erected and for decades maintained the scaffolding that gave birth to a settler-colonial state in Palestine and the Palestinian Nakba. Acknowledging Britain’s moral responsibility towards the Palestinians is a key message of this timely and courageous book. A must read for those seeking truth and reconciliation in the Middle East.”