The Balfour Declaration, 2 November 1917: What It Said

Every year on 2 November, Palestinians and supporters in Britain and around the world mark the anniversary of a short letter written in London in 1917. It is called the Balfour Declaration, and few documents have had such a long reach.

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Who wrote it

The letter was written by Arthur Balfour, Britain's foreign secretary, to Lord Rothschild, a leading figure in the British Jewish community, during the First World War. At the time, British forces were fighting the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Palestine.

What it said

In just 67 words, the letter said the British government viewed with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. It added that nothing should be done which might prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.

Why it matters

At the time, Arabs made up around 90 per cent of Palestine's population, yet the letter did not name them or mention their political rights. After the war, the declaration was written into the British Mandate for Palestine, which lasted until 1948. Many historians see it as a turning point that shaped the century that followed.

Remembering today

Around each anniversary, events, talks and marches take place in cities across Britain. For many British Palestinians, it is a moment to talk about Britain's historic role and about the rights the letter promised to protect.

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FAQ

What was the Balfour Declaration?

A letter of 2 November 1917 from British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild supporting a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.