The Zionist Movement and the Balfour Declaration

From Theodore Herzl to Lord Balfour's Declaration

Mar 31, 2009

The Zionist movement called for the creation of a Jewish homeland. However, early Zionists faced many intriguing obstacles, some even from fellow Jews.

Modern day Israel is a nation that has seen more than its share of conflict and controversy. Even before its official inception as state in 1948, the people who would make up its population were in a constant state of conflict and fear. The Jews, the primary citizens of Israel, had laid claim to the land the Arabs called Palestine through their biblical ancestors.

Ever since the fall of biblical Israel some 2500 years ago, the Jews had been scattered around the globe, and left at the mercy of their new masters. This, however, became an uncomfortable arrangement for the Jews, who were often times persecuted and made scapegoats for their host countries’ problems. They suffered and persevered until many in their ranks began calling for a Jewish state.

Herzl’s Vision of a Jewish State

The movement to create a Jewish state was known as Zionism. The Zionist movement came more out of necessity, than out of religious desires. One notable early Zionists, Theodor Herzl, was himself a witness and victim of anti-Semitic behavior in Europe. His experiences led him to write and publish his famous book, “The Jewish State”, which called for the creation of a separate Jewish state which would be used as a refuge and civilization for all Jews of the Earth to inhabit. Herzl cites many reasons for the creation of a Jewish homeland including,

Surprisingly, Herzl considered location Argentina and not just Palestine as a possible location for this Jewish state. He believed that his plan would be well received by anti-Semitic nations seeking to rid themselves of their Jewish populace. However, Herzl’s vision for a Jewish homeland did not gain widespread support from the Jewish or international community during his lifetime.

The Balfour Declaration and the Jewish Immigration

The Balfour Declaration, issued by British Foreign Secretary, Lord Balfour in 1917, declared that the government of Great Britain was in support of creating a national home for the Jews. However, the declaration faced strong opposition. Surprisingly the toughest opposition came from within the British Jewish community.

Secretary of State for India, Edwin Montagu, a prominent British Jew, felt as if the Zionist movement would somehow call into question the loyalty of British Jews. Montagu argued that most Jews were not pro-Zionist and did not feel the need to acknowledge the plight of Jews in other countries. He had the widespread support of the British Jewish community and many other government figures who were content with remaining in Britain. However, the declaration did gain support with those in power in Britain and from pro-Zionist groups in America and Europe, and thus began the immigration of Jews to the Arab controlled land of Palestine.

The Palestinians had thought they would be able to govern their own land after the fall of the Ottoman Empire. They were angered by the acceptance of the Balfour Declaration, and soon became hostile to the Jewish immigration to their land. The seeds of the Arab-Israeli conflict were being sown and the situation was destined to become worse.

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