The Balfour Declaration of 1917 The Balfour Declaration was a short letter by Arthur Balfour to arguably one of the most influential Jewish families - the Rothschilds. It was assumed that the letter gave the British governments support to the creation of a Jewish homeland. Foreign Office November 2nd, 1917 Dear Lord Rothschild, I have much pleasure in conveying to you on behalf of His Majesty’s government, the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to, and approved, by the Cabinet: 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, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country. I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation. Yours, Arthur James Balfour historylearningsite.co.uk/balfour_declaration_2.htm
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 20:15:40 +0000