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Balfour Declaration of 1917 - History, Declaration Document, Importance & Long Term Impact

Last Updated on Feb 14, 2025
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The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government on November 2, 1917, during World War I. The declaration promised to support the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. The declaration was issued by the British Foreign Secretary, Arthur Balfour. It was issued in a letter to Lord Rothschild, a leading British Jewish figure. The declaration has been a source of conflict and controversy ever since it was issued. This system involved the transfer of governance from the territories previously held by the defeated powers in the war—Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria—to the victorious nations. The stated objective of the mandate system was to enable the wartime victors to oversee the administration of the newly emerging states until they could achieve independence.

We will take a comprehensive look into ‘The Balfour Declaration Upsc of 1917’ considering its relevance to the UPSC IAS Exam and Mains GS Paper I.

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Also, check out International Relations UPSC Notes here.

What was Balfour Declaration?

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement that was issued by the British government in 1917 during World War I. It announced its support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, then an Ottoman region with a small minority Jewish population.

Historical Background on the Balfour Declaration

Here are the important points on the background of the Balfour Declaration:

  • The Zionist movement was founded in the late 19th century by a group of Jews. The Jews believed that they should have their own homeland in Palestine.
  • The Zionist movement gained momentum in the early 20th century. By the time World War I began, there were already hundreds of thousands of Jews living in Palestine.
  • The British government was initially skeptical of the Zionist movement. However, it began to see the movement as a potential ally in its war against the Ottoman Empire.
  • In 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration. This announced its support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine.
  • The Balfour Declaration was a major turning point in the history of the Zionist movement and the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

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The Balfour Declaration Document

Almost 105 years have passed since the Balfour Declaration was issued. The proclamation of the new state of Israel—an event still known today in Arabic as the niqab (disaster catastrophe). Balfour’s original letter to Rothschild, in which the declaration was as follows:

  • Arthur Balfour made a written promise (in a letter) on behalf of the British government to recognize Palestine as a legitimate Jewish state.
  • In addition, the latter said – “Nothing will be done by the British government that affects the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, formerly this Ottoman region with a small minority Jewish population”.
  • However, the letter did not provide any information about the national and political rights of these non-Jewish communities, nor did it refer to them by name.

Also, check out the article on Wood’s Despatch here.

Reasons for Issuing the Balfour Declaration of 1917

The reasons for issuing the declaration are still debated globally. Different politicians and historians offer various explanations based on different sources. The following are some commonly agreed-upon reasons:

  • Jews in Europe were facing persecution. The British government sympathized with their suffering.
  • There was strong lobbying by the Zionist movement. There were close ties between the Zionist community in Britain and the British government. Some government officials were themselves Zionists.
  • Britain sought to gain support from Jews in Russia and the United States. It thought that they would encourage their respective governments to remain in the war and cooperate until victory.
  • Britain considered its control over Palestine as a strategic imperialist interest. It aimed to maintain its influence over Egypt and the Suez Canal.

Also, check out Decolonization Of the Middle East (1932-1971) here.

Also, check out the article on the Yom Kippur War here.

Importance of Balfour Declaration
  • The initiative was the first in global politics when one of the major world powers officially expressed support for the Jewish cause.
  • The Balfour Declaration mandated the creation of Palestine.
  • Also, It greatly promoted the Jewish presence in Eretz Israel.
  • According to the declaration, Britain and its Dominions were constitutionally equal.
  • Although the continued hostilities, many Islamic countries saw it as a betrayal by the British.
  • However, the Balfour Report of 1917 was an important document in Canada’s development to become a fully autonomous nation.
  • Finally, The findings of the report were legislated by the British Parliament into the Statutes of Westminster in 1931.

Check out World History Notes for UPSC here.

What were the Zionist Movement and its opposition?

Zionism was a Jewish nationalist movement in the late 1800s, directed at the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jewish People [Hebrew: Eretz Yisrael – “The Ancient Land of Israel”]. It was founded on the writings of Theodor Herzl.

Thus, the continuation of the ancient attachment of the Jews and Judaism is, in many ways, seen as the historical regions of Palestine, according to the belief of Judaism, where one of the hills of ancient Jerusalem was called Zion.

Opposition

  • Many self-proclaimed Zionists differ from each other in terms of fundamental principles and political views, In which some Zionist followers are religiously fanatical while others are more secular.
  • This controversial movement has given rise to criticism and many challenges.
  • Although Zionism has successfully increased the Jewish population in Israel, this cannot be denied.

Note: Chaim Weisman was elected the first President of Israel in the year 1949; he was the chairman of the Zionist organization.

Study the Cold War Confrontation of 1947-1963 here.

Results of the Balfour Declaration

The Balfour Declaration had a profound impact on the Middle East. It led to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It also had a significant impact on the Palestinian people. They were displaced from their homes and have been living in exile or under occupation ever since.

Long-Term Impact of Balfour Declaration

The Balfour Declaration had a big impact on the Middle East's history. Its effects are still seen today. Here are some important outcomes of the declaration:

  • The Balfour Declaration marked a significant moment for Zionism, the movement for a Jewish state in Palestine. It was a victory for Zionists and led to the creation of Israel in 1948.
  • The declaration made vague promises about a Jewish national home in Palestine. This caused conflict between Jews and Palestinians over land control. This ongoing conflict remains one of the most difficult to resolve.
  • Many Arabs viewed the declaration as a British effort to divide the Arab world and establish a Jewish state within it. This fueled anger and resentment among Arabs. This contributed to the rise of Arab nationalism.
  • The Balfour Declaration played a role in the creation of the United Nations in 1945. This organization aimed to address the Jewish-Palestinian conflict. However, the UN has not been able to resolve the conflict.
  • The declaration also played a part in the series of Arab-Israeli wars. The first war occurred in 1948 and was fought between Jews and Palestinians. Israel gained control of much of Palestine. Subsequent wars in 1956, 1967, and 1973 were triggered by various factors. These wars resulted in territorial changes.
  • The Balfour Declaration shaped the course of Middle Eastern history with lasting consequences.

Also, study the Six-Day War 1967 (June War) in detail here.

Palestinian’s Reaction to the Balfour Declaration of 1917
  • Palestine refuses to accept the Balfour Declaration, saying that because of this declaration, the lives of Palestinians have been badly affected for many decades.
  • Because the interests of non-Jewish communities were sidelined by this declaration.
  • Thus, the declaration increased tensions in Palestine, and many local Christians and Muslims opposed the Jews.
  • Almost immediately, a series of outbreaks of communal violence broke out. Anti-Jewish riots broke out in many Palestinian towns and cities.
  • Also further infuriated the Palestinians, and following the riots in Jerusalem in the mid-1930s, there were full-scale Arab uprisings between 1936 and 1939.

Conclusion

The Balfour Declaration was a decision taken during World War I, and It was based on the assumption that the Western powers would win the war and settle the Ottoman Empire as they wished. Also, it was decidedly pro-Zionist, designed to create a Jewish homeland that was expected to advance British interests in the Middle East and claimed to respect the wishes of local Palestinians.

Previous Years UPSC Mains Questions
  • What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power? (UPSC MAINS GS Paper I 2014).
  • The British were slated to withdraw from Palestine in May 1948, and both sides prepared for that day. Violence between Arabs and Jews, already endemic, escalated. (UPSC Mains History Optional Paper II 2020).

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Balfour Declaration - FAQS

It was a public declaration in 1917 declaring its support for the establishment of a country or national home for the "Jewish community" by the British government during world war I.

Britain's control over Palestine was a strategic imperialist interest to keep Egypt and the Suez canal within its sphere of influence.

The Balfour Declaration itself is a legally binding document but has no basis in international law.

The key goal of the Balfour Declaration was to reduce opposition to the American Jewish community going to war on their side.

During World War I, on 2 November 1917 The Balfour Declaration was issued by the British Government through a public letter.
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