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For 100 years the British statement, which inaugurated Zionism's legitimation in the eyes of the world, has been seen as the isolated act of a single nation. The truth is much different.

MosaicMonthly Essays/Observations/Editors’ Picks/Subjects/AboutBritish Lord Arthur Balfour in Jerusalem in 1925. Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.Monthly EssayJune 2017The Forgotten Truth about the Balfour DeclarationFor 100 years the British statement, which inaugurated Zionism's legitimation in the eyes of the world, has been seen as the isolated act of a single nation. The truth is much different.By Martin KramerOn November 2, 1917, a century ago, Arthur James Balfour, the British foreign secretary, conveyed the following pledge in a public letter to a prominent British Zionist, Lord Walter Rothschild: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.At the time, as World War I raged, British and Australian forces were fighting deep in Palestine against the Ottomans, and were poised to take Jerusalem.Related ContentEssay ResponsesHow the Balfour Declaration Became Part of International LawBy Nicholas RostowHow Gentile Zionism Affected the Statesmen Behind the Balfour DeclarationBy Allan ArkushJabotinsky’s Role, and the Jewish Legion’s, in Securing the Balfour DeclarationBy Colin ShindlerThe Balfour Declaration Was More than the Promise of One NationBy Martin KramerSaveGiftShare PrintResponses to June ’s EssayJune 2017How the Balfour Declaration Became Part of International LawBy Nicholas RostowJune 2017How Gentile Zionism Affected the Statesmen Behind the Balfour DeclarationBy Allan ArkushJune 2017Jabotinsky’s Role, and the Jewish Legion’s, in Securing the Balfour DeclarationBy Colin ShindlerJune 2017The Balfour Declaration Was More than the Promise of One NationBy Martin Kramer