Balfour Declaration of 1917 facts for kids

The Balfour Declaration of 1917 was an important letter from the British government. It talked about what would happen to parts of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. The letter also showed that Britain supported the idea of creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

This declaration had a big impact and is seen as a key event leading up to the Arab–Israeli conflict, which is a long-running disagreement in the Middle East.

The Balfour Declaration was a letter sent by Arthur Balfour, a British government minister, to Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild, a well-known Jewish leader. It was dated 2 November 1917.

What Was the Balfour Declaration?

The Balfour Declaration was a short, official letter. It was written by the British government during World War I. The letter stated that Britain looked kindly on the idea of setting up a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. At that time, Palestine was a region that was part of the Ottoman Empire.

The declaration also made it clear that nothing should be done to harm the rights of the non-Jewish people living in Palestine. It also said that the rights and political status of Jewish people in other countries should not be affected.

Who Was Arthur Balfour?

Arthur Balfour was an important British politician. In 1917, he was the Foreign Secretary, which is like the main diplomat for the United Kingdom. His job was to handle Britain's relationships with other countries. The declaration is named after him because he signed the letter.

Who Was Walter Rothschild?

Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild was a leading figure in the British Jewish community. He was also a strong supporter of Zionism. Zionism is a movement that supports the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The letter was addressed to him so he could share it with the Zionist Federation.

Why Was the Declaration Issued?

Britain had several reasons for issuing the Balfour Declaration:

• Support during World War I: Britain hoped to gain support from Jewish communities around the world, especially in the United States and Russia, for the Allied war effort.
• Strategic interests: Palestine was important because of its location near the Suez Canal, a vital shipping route.
• Religious and historical ties: Some British leaders had a religious or historical interest in the idea of a Jewish return to Palestine.

What Happened After the Declaration?

The Balfour Declaration became a very important document. After World War I, the League of Nations (an early version of the United Nations) gave Britain control over Palestine. This was called the British Mandate for Palestine. The Mandate included the Balfour Declaration's promise about a Jewish national home.

Over the years, more Jewish people moved to Palestine. This led to growing tensions between the Jewish and Arab communities living there. Both groups had strong connections to the land. These tensions eventually led to the Arab–Israeli conflict after the State of Israel was created in 1948.

Images for kids

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  "Memorandum to Protestant Monarchs of Europe for the restoration of the Jews to Palestine", as published in the Colonial Times, in 1841

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  The "Basel program" approved at the 1897 First Zionist Congress. The first line states: "Zionism seeks to establish a home (Heimstätte) for the Jewish people in Palestine secured under public law"

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  Herbert Samuel's Cabinet memorandum, The Future of Palestine, as published in the British Cabinet papers (CAB 37/123/43), as at 21 January 1915

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  Military situation at 18:00 on 1 Nov 1917, immediately prior to the release of the Balfour Declaration.

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  A copy of Lord Rothschild's initial draft declaration, together with its covering letter, 18 July 1917, from the British War Cabinet archives.

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  As part of the War Cabinet discussions, views were sought from ten "representative" Jewish leaders. Those in favour comprised four members of the Zionist negotiating team (Rothschild, Weizmann, Sokolow and Samuel), Stuart Samuel (Herbert Samuel's elder brother), and Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz. Those against comprised Edwin Montagu, Philip Magnus, Claude Montefiore and Lionel Cohen.

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  British War Cabinet minutes approving the release of the declaration, 31 October 1917

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  Lord Curzon's 26 October 1917 cabinet memorandum, circulated one week prior to the declaration, addressed the meaning of the phrase "a National Home for the Jewish race in Palestine", noting the range of different opinions

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  Balfour Declaration as published in The Times, 9 November 1917

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  Lord Balfour's desk, in the Museum of the Jewish Diaspora in Tel Aviv

See also

In Spanish: Declaración Balfour para niños