A Cursed Promise
The Balfour Declaration: What It Said and How It Shaped History
In 1917, British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour wrote a brief letter to Lord Rothschild, a British Jewish leader, supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Known as the Balfour Declaration, it’s been referenced several times in previous articles. Here we will take a closer look at this document. While "declaration" might sound like a long document, this was actually a short letter. Let’s take a closer look at its brief but impactful words:
"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."
Analyzing the Text of the Declaration
The declaration contains several important phrases that have been subject to interpretation and debate:
"View with favour" – This phrasing indicates strong support but falls short of a legal commitment. By using suggestive rather than definitive language, Britain avoided direct promises that could be legally binding, giving itself flexibility in future policy decisions, depending on how things turned out.
"A national home for the Jewish people" – The term "national home" was left purposefully vague, lacking clarity about what it entailed or where its borders might lie. This ambiguity allowed different interpretations, with Zionist leaders envisioning a future Jewish-majority state, while Britain could technically argue that it never promised a sovereign Jewish state.
"In Palestine" – Although the declaration clearly identified Palestine as the location, it avoided delineating any geographic boundaries or addressing the existing population's status, suggesting British intent to support Zionist goals without fully committing to the details of implementation.
"Nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities" – This clause aimed to balance Jewish aspirations with protections for the Arab majority already living in Palestine. However, it solely mentioned “civil and religious rights,” conspicuously omitting “political rights” for Palestinians, implying a subordinate role in the national vision Britain was shaping for the region.
"Or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country" – The last phrase addressed concerns from Jews outside Palestine, especially those in the West, who feared Zionist aspirations could cast doubt on their own national loyalty. By reassuring that a Jewish homeland in Palestine wouldn’t compromise Jews’ status elsewhere, Britain aimed to contain any potential backlash from established Jewish communities abroad.
Implications of the Language Choices
The Balfour Declaration’s ambiguities allowed Britain to support Zionist aims without alienating Arab populations, though this vagueness had lasting consequences. For Palestinians, who saw the declaration as dismissive of their own claims to the land, it sparked resentment. By omitting political rights for Palestinians and framing their “civil and religious rights” as secondary to British objectives, the declaration underscored Britain’s priority of colonial interests over local governance.
The Balfour Declaration thus became a foundational document in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, setting the stage for future tensions over land, governance, and national identity. For Zionists, it represented a breakthrough in their quest for a Jewish homeland, while for Palestinians, it marked the beginning of their marginalization under British rule.
Why Did Britain Issue the Balfour Declaration?
The British government’s motivations for issuing the declaration were multifaceted. Facing the challenges of war, Britain sought to gain support from Jewish communities worldwide, especially in the U.S. and Russia, by aligning with Zionist leaders. Balfour himself was a rabid racist and anti-Semite. British officials in general held anti-Semitic beliefs, including the idea that Jewish communities wielded significant global influence, particularly in these powerful allied countries. This prejudice, based on stereotypes, contributed to Britain's expectation that supporting Zionism could win Jewish favor, particularly among Jews in the United States and Russia.
To deliver this message, Balfour addressed the declaration to Lord Walter Rothschild, a prominent British Jewish leader and key advocate for Zionist goals. Rothschild, as a member of an influential banking family, was seen as a bridge between the British government and Jewish communities worldwide. By addressing the declaration to him, Britain underscored its intention to reach and influence Jewish populations abroad through a respected leader who could amplify this message.
In addition, Britain also had strategic motivations. With the Ottoman Empire’s decline, Britain viewed Palestine as a strategic asset to secure British interests in the Middle East, especially to safeguard access to the Suez Canal. While the perception of Jewish influence played the primary role, the strategic benefits of a foothold in Palestine were also part of Britain’s calculation, adding a layer of complexity to its motives.
Immediate Reactions to the Declaration
The Balfour Declaration was met with a mixed response:
Jewish Communities: Many Jewish groups, particularly those in Europe and America, celebrated the declaration as a step towards establishing a safe and permanent homeland. However, not all Jewish communities supported Zionism. Some European Jews worried about potential repercussions, fearing a homeland for Jewish people in Palestine could challenge their own national identities in countries where they were well-established.
Arab Communities in Palestine: The local Arab majority saw this as a threat, fearing that Jewish immigration would grow and lead to a loss of their land and political control. Initial reactions from some Arab leaders included attempts to negotiate, but as Jewish immigration increased, local resistance intensified, leading to a broader opposition movement.
Other Powers: Some European countries supported Britain’s decision, while others were more skeptical. Nevertheless, Britain pressed ahead, becoming more involved in Palestine after World War I when it took over the region from the Ottoman Empire.
Effects of the Balfour Declaration
The Balfour Declaration set off a chain of events that changed the course of history in the Middle East:
Increase in Jewish Immigration: With Britain’s support, many Jewish people began to move to Palestine, creating tensions with the local Arab population, who saw their towns and lands changing. British policies, such as facilitating land purchases by Zionist organizations, often led to the displacement of Palestinian tenant farmers and placed economic strain on native communities.
Conflicts Over Land and Rights: Conflicting claims over land between Jewish and Arab communities soon escalated into large-scale conflicts. Palestinian Arabs began to view British support of Jewish settlement as an outright disregard for their own rights and claims to the land.
Formation of Israel: Decades later, after World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust, there was international support for a Jewish homeland. In 1948, Israel declared its independence in part of the land known as Palestine. This was seen as the realization of the Balfour Declaration but also led to ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as wider tensions in the region.
Continued Conflict and Peace Efforts: Since Israel's establishment, there have been repeated wars, uprisings, and ongoing efforts for peace. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians remains one of the most complex and enduring issues in global politics.
The Legacy of the Balfour Declaration
Today, many see the Balfour Declaration as a key moment that sparked the Israel-Palestine conflict. While it offered hope to Jewish people looking for a homeland, it ignored the rights and humanity of the Arab communities already living there. Rather than balancing interests, the colonial powers viewed native populations as less than human—a view that can still be seen in how Israel treats Palestinians today.
In short, the Balfour Declaration marked a turning point with long-lasting effects. It promised a homeland for Jewish people, but in doing so, it also paved the way for the ethnic cleansing of the native Palestinian population.
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I hasten to add, just in case my wording isn't clear, the Arabs felt betrayed by the Balfour treaty/letter.
Very interesting post Shoaib, I'm interested in the attacks by LHI and Urgun (?) on British troops, police and and indigenous Palestinians, from early 1947 to 1948. I've read conflicting accounts, of Jews arriving uninvited and how Britain didn't want them to move to Palestine, with the United Nations declaring the land should be open/declared to be a Jewish homeland or state.
A very complicated situation and it was seen as a betrayal by Arabs.