Resources and Articles by Arthur James Balfour
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Balfour,
Arthur James
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British Statesman, signatory of the Balfour Delcaration. In 1902, he becme prime minister, but was defeated in the general election of 1905. He later served as foreign secretary in Lloyd George's coalition government. Balfour began to take an interest in the Jewish question in 1902-03, when Herzl conducted negotiations with Joseph Chamberlain, the British colonial secretary, regarding Jewish settlement in areas adjoining Palestine. Balfour's interest in Zionism revived and grew more intense during WW I, when he became foreign secretary, in which capacity, he signed the Balfour Declaration of Nov. 2, 1917. Balfour died in 1930.
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Political recognition of Zionist aims:
The Balfour Declaration
During the First World War, British policy became gradually committed to the idea of establishing a Jewish home in Palestine (Eretz Yisrael). After discussions in the British Cabinet, and consultation with Zionist leaders, the decision was made known in the form of a letter by Arthur James Lord Balfour to Lord Rothschild. The letter represents the first political recognition of Zionist aims by a Great Power.
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Official Documents
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