The Balfour Declaration 1917

Arthur Balfour
Arthur Balfour

The Balfour Declaration was a statement of formal policy by the British government that was made in a letter from Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild who was a leader of the British Jewish community. The letter reflected the position of the British Cabinet, as agreed upon in a meeting on 31 October 1917. The British Cabinet was favorable for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

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