The Declaration in Effect

Seventeen years ago today, on November 2, 1917, the late Lord Balfour, writing as Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the British government to Lord Rothschild, asked him “to bring to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation 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 favor 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 the Jews in any other country.’ “

Much has been achieved by the Jews in Palestine in the seventeen years since the Balfour declaration was issued. Palestine, seventeen years ago a small and poor country, is today one of the few prosperous countries in the world.

The Jews have proven themselves worthy of the Balfour Declaration. They have shown the world that the pledge made by the British government to “establish in Palestine a national home for the Jewish people” can be easily carried out if the proper goodwill is shown by the Mandatory Power.

Despite the Jewish achievement, efforts were however made during the last few years to hamper the upbuilding of Palestine as a Jewish national home as provided by the Balfour Declaration. Obstacles were created by the issuance of such documents as the Passfield “White Paper,” the Shaw report and the so-called “tenants’ law.” Obstacles are still being set up by the restriction of Jewish immigration into the country.

These hindrances can certainly not be considered “best endeavors” to facilitate the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine of which the Balfour Declaration speaks. Nor can the projected legislative council be considered one of the “best endeavors”