Balfour Declaration
Almost never in history, has such a small scrap of paper, have caused so much conflict and so much suffering, death and destruction, even as you read this, as the one written by Arthur J. Balfour to lord Rothschild in support of the creation of a "Jewish homeland" in Palestine. Here is the full text of the declaration:
Foreign Office,
2nd November 1917,
Dear Lord Rothschild:
I have much pleasure in conveying to you on behalf of His Majesty's Government the following declaration of our sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to, and approved by, the Cabinet. "His Majesty's Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors 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
