Hogarth Message facts for kids
The Hogarth Message was an important letter sent in January 1918 during World War I. It came from Commander David George Hogarth, a British official who led the Arab Bureau in Cairo. The message was sent to Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca, who was a key Arab leader. Hussein had asked for an explanation about the Balfour Declaration, which was a British statement about creating a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
Commander Hogarth traveled to Jeddah to deliver this letter. The letter itself was written by Sir Mark Sykes on behalf of the British Government.
Contents
What the Hogarth Message Said
The Hogarth Message aimed to explain Britain's plans for the Middle East, especially concerning Arab lands and Palestine. It had three main points:
Promise for Arab Unity
The message first promised that the Allied Powers (like Britain) wanted the Arab people to have a chance to form their own nation again. It said this could only happen if Arabs worked together. Britain and its allies would support policies that helped Arabs unite.
Palestine and Holy Places
The message also talked about Palestine. It stated that no group of people there should be ruled by another. However, Palestine was special because it had many holy sites important to Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Because these places were important to people all over the world, there needed to be a special way to manage them. This special plan would need to be approved by countries worldwide. The message specifically mentioned that the Mosque of Omar (also known as the Dome of the Rock) would remain under Muslim control.
Jewish Hopes in Palestine
Finally, the message addressed the idea of Jews returning to Palestine. It noted that many Jewish people around the world hoped to return there. The British Government supported this idea, as long as it didn't harm the freedom or economy of the people already living in Palestine. The message also suggested that friendship between Jewish people worldwide and the Arab cause could bring support to Arabs in many countries. It encouraged Arabs to work with the leaders of the Zionist movement, who wanted to create a Jewish homeland through cooperation with Arabs.
See also
- Damascus Protocol
- Hussein-McMahon Correspondence
