Legacies of colonial history in the Mediterranean: on Cyprus and  Palestine

Isobel Dennehy

In the divided city of Nicosia, a street can suddenly halt at a checkpoint. In Palestine, families still hold keys to homes which they were forced to leave decades ago. These moments are not merely memories of the past; they reflect ongoing realities shaped by colonial history. This piece looks at how colonial rule continues to shape political and social life in the Mediterranean, focusing in particular on Palestine and Cyprus. Although European colonialism in the Mediterranean region formally ended in the twentieth century, its political and social implications continue to shape modern society. Modern conflicts, contested identities, and divided cities can be seen across the region; however, they cannot be fully understood without reference to the imperial decisions that reshaped the Mediterranean following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. It begins by outlining the historical context of colonial intervention, before turning to its lasting impact in Palestine and Cyprus, including cultural and literary responses.

The decline of Ottoman power during the First World War allowed European powers to reconfigure the political landscape of the Mediterranean. The Sykes-Picot Agreement marked an early attempt by Britain and France to divide Ottoman Arab territories into zones of influence (Fromkin 288). While the agreement did not establish today’s exact borders, it created a framework of external governance that would shape the region for decades (Cleveland and Bunton 163). The mandate system that followed placed former Ottoman territories under European control, reshaping political institutions with little regard for local populations (Fromkin 392). These decisions were not simply administrative. They fundamentally altered how people understood belonging, territory, and identity. Borders were drawn without the input of those who lived within them, often dividing communities or grouping together populations with different political aspirations. In many cases, these arrangements created tensions that would later develop into long-term conflict. The lasting consequences of colonial rule are especially visible in Palestine and Cyprus. British imperial policy in Palestine intensified competing national claims, contributing to displacement and ongoing conflict (Polley). In Cyprus, British colonial administration established legal and political systems that continued to shape public life long after independence (Karayanni 112). These examples show that colonisation did not simply redraw borders but also reshaped identities, memories, and everyday experiences (Winbladh). This piece shows that the legacy of colonial governance in the Mediterranean persists through contemporary borders, legal frameworks, and cultural practices. Looking at Palestine and Cyprus highlights how imperial decisions continue to influence political tensions and social divisions today.

In the early twentieth century, the Ottoman Empire still controlled much of the eastern Mediterranean, including Palestine, Lebanon, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula (Cleveland and Bunton). However, European powers viewed the empire as declining and began planning for its collapse (Fromkin). During the First World War, Britain and France secretly negotiated the division of Ottoman lands. The Sykes-Picot Agreement outlined spheres of influence across the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean, anticipating a post-Ottoman order shaped by European interests (Fromkin 288). This agreement was only one part of a broader system of imperial diplomacy. Britain simultaneously promised support for Arab independence while also backing the creation of a Jewish national home in Palestine (Polley). These conflicting commitments created tensions that would shape the region’s future. After the war, European powers formalised their control through mandates issued by the League of Nations. Britain governed Palestine and Iraq, while France controlled Syria and Lebanon (Cleveland and Bunton 163). Although these mandates were presented as temporary arrangements to prepare regions for independence, they effectively extended European dominance into the twentieth century (Fromkin 392). The borders and institutions created during this period often ignored the ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity of local populations (Cleveland and Bunton). As David Fromkin notes, the Middle East was “remade by European powers” during and after the First World War (Fromkin 392). As a result, many of the conflicts that continue to shape the region today are rooted in these externally imposed structures. These decisions demonstrate how colonial intervention continues to influence political realities in the Mediterranean. In many ways, the political geography established during this period continues to define the possibilities and limitations of governance in the region today.

The effects of colonial governance are particularly visible in Palestine. Under British rule, policies encouraging Jewish immigration while promising rights to Arab populations created tensions that escalated into violence (Cleveland and Bunton 241). The consequences of this framework became evident in 1948, when the creation of Israel led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians (Kanafani). The experience of displacement remains central to Palestinian historical memory and continues to shape political identity today (“Palestine in the Claws of Colonialism”). For many Palestinians, this history is not distant; it continues to influence everyday life and identity. This displacement was not only a political event but also a deeply personal one. Families were separated, homes were lost, and communities were transformed almost overnight. The effects of these experiences continue to be felt across generations, shaping both collective memory and individual identity.

Literary works also reflect these experiences of displacement. In Returning to Haifa, Ghassan Kanafani tells the story of a Palestinian couple who return to their home years after being forced to leave, only to find it occupied by another family. The story highlights the lasting personal consequences of political decisions made during the colonial period, showing how historical events continue to shape individual lives. In this way, literature becomes a way of preserving memory and expressing the human impact of displacement in ways that official political narratives often overlook. A similar pattern can be seen in Cyprus, where the legacies of colonial authority remain visible. The division of the island remains one of the most significant consequences of this history. The Green Line separating Nicosia is one of the most visible symbols of this division. In parts of the city, it cuts through ordinary streets and neighbourhoods, shaping how people move and interact in their daily lives.

In some areas, the boundary is marked by checkpoints and barriers, while in others it is less visible but still deeply present in the routines of everyday life. People may live only a short distance apart yet experience entirely different political and social realities. This illustrates how division is not only geographical but also psychological, shaping how individuals understand their place within the city. Recent media coverage also highlights that this division is not only historical but ongoing, with new documentaries continuing to explore its impact on everyday life in Cyprus (Haringey Community Press). These divisions are not only political but also social and cultural, influencing identity and lived experience across the island. The persistence of this division demonstrates how colonial-era decisions continue to structure contemporary realities.

Figure 1: The Green Line in Nicosia, where a UN-controlled buffer zone divides the city into Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot areas, reflecting the lasting impact of colonial-era partition. Source: United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Figure 2: Palestinian refugees gathered in a refugee camp following the 1948 conflict, illustrating the displacement that shaped Palestinian historical memory. Source: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Photo Archive.

The continued impact of colonial legacies can also be seen in patterns of migration and displacement across the Mediterranean. Large-scale political changes reshaped economic conditions and social structures, forcing many people to move across borders. These movements have had lasting effects on families, communities, and identities. Migration in this context is not simply a matter of movement but is closely tied to histories of conflict, dispossession, and adaptation. Cultural responses, including literature, film, and art, continue to engage with these histories, offering alternative perspectives on colonialism and its aftermath. These forms of expression provide insight into how individuals and communities interpret and respond to their historical experiences. They also demonstrate that the legacy of colonialism is not fixed but continues to be reinterpreted in contemporary contexts. Together, these examples highlight how the effects of colonial rule in the Mediterranean extend far beyond the formal end of empire.  In both Palestine and Cyprus, colonial governance created political systems and borders that continue to shape contemporary life. These legacies are visible not only in political conflicts but also in everyday experiences, cultural identities, and personal histories. More than a century after European powers redrew the map of the Mediterranean, these borders are not simply lines on a map. They continue to influence how people live, move, and remember.

                                                         Works Cited

Adil, Alev, et al., editors. Write/Right to the World MegaZine. Exploring the Cypriot Identity Project, 2021.

Alioglu, Ahmet. “Reframing Palestine: A Comparative Analysis of Palestinian Representation in Western Legacy News Media.” Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, 2026.

Cleveland, William L., and Martin Bunton. A History of the Modern Middle East. 6th ed., Westview Press, 2016.

Fromkin, David. A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East. Owl Books, 2001.

Kanafani, Ghassan. Returning to Haifa. Translated by Hilary Kilpatrick, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2000.

Karayanni, Stavros Stavrou. Dancing Fear and Desire: Race, Sexuality and Imperial Politics in Middle Eastern Dance. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2004.

Maalouf, Amin. The Rock of Tanios. Translated by Dorothy S. Blair, Abacus, 1994.

Missing Fetine. Tetraktys Films, 2018.

“Palestine in the Claws of Colonialism.” Mada Masr, 2025.

Polley, Gabriel. “Britain's Colonial Legacy Is Still Felt in Palestine Today.” Britain Palestine Project, 2023.

Winbladh, Marie-Louise. Long-lasting Legacies of Colonialism and Nationalism in Israel, Palestine, Cyprus and Greece. Series in Heritage Studies, 2025.

United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Buffer Zone in Nicosia. United Nations, https://unficyp.unmissions.org

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Palestinian Refugee Camp Photograph, 1948–1950s. UNRWA Photo Archive, https://www.unrwa.org/photo-and-film-archive