On this Thursday, November 2, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. This short letter, although not a legal document, is best known for initiating the process of recognizing the rights of Jews to reconstitute a state in their ancient homeland. In later years, it was codified in legal documents, including the resolutions that emerged from the San Remo conference in 1920.
The full declaration is presented below.
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Foreign Office
November 2nd, 1917
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 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,
Arthur James Balfour