Chaim Weizmann (1874-1952), a Russian, moved to London in 1904 and became active in Zionism affairs. Zionism, was not a cohesive element early on. A political wing followed in Herzl's footsteps by seeking great power support; a practical wing believed that Jewish immigration to land acquisition, and settlement in Palestine, was the right path. Weizmann resolved the differences by adopting both policies. Great power support and settlement in Arab lands became the hallmarks of Zionism and they continue in this day.
During the First World War, British policy became gradually committed to Weizmann's idea of establishing a Jewish home in Palestine (Eretz Yisrael). After discussions in the British Cabinet, and consultation with Zionist leaders, the decision was made known in the form of a letter by Arthur James Lord Balfour to Lord Rothschild. The letter represents the first political recognition of Zionist aims by a Great Power. This success set the tone of future Zionist diplomacy.
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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 sincerely,
Arthur James Balfour
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 sincerely,
Arthur James Balfour
France and Italy later signed the declaration. Each donated a state that did not belong to any of them, to a state that did not exist!
Read this declaration carefully. It supports:
- the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,
- the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, and
- the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.
While 600,000 Arabs lived in Palestine at the time, only 56,000 Jews did. But there is no mention of Palestinian political rights. This is the literal reading.
More than that, Britain had already promised to support the Sharif of Mecca in establishing an independent kingdom for the Arabs in return for a revolt against the Ottomans. As defective as this declaration was, Weizmann was provided a springboard for Zionist expansion that continues to this day.
Needless to say, after this declaration was issued, Weizmann's attitude hardened about excluding the Palestinians from any significant discussion of their own future. He was the most powerful of the early Hawks on that issue and his legacy still affects Israeli policy.
In 1920, Weizmann became President of the World Zionist Organization. He later served as Israel's first president.
Posted by RoadToPeace on Saturday, July 30, 2005.
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