The Balfour Declaration, 1917
- Agreement by the british to set up a Jewish homeland in Palestine
- The Br. Mandate there stayed under Br. Control
- The British had also promised the Arab's independence in the region
- 1918 = 60,000 jews, 1939 = 630,000 jews
- Beginning of the Arab-Israli conflict
- Turkey defeats Greece in 1920 in a war, massive citizen shift occurs (1.5 mil)
Quote
"Britain was responsible for the tragedy of Palestine, the cause of much war, suffering and the displacement of peoples as well as posing a continuing threat to world peace. The Balfour Declaration in both its parts [promising a Jewish homeland and to protect the interests of the Arab residents of Palestine] was not capable of implementation and the end of the Mandate was humiliating and irresponsible"
- Anthony Parsons (former UK Ambassador to Iran)
- Anthony Parsons (former UK Ambassador to Iran)
Subjunctive Question
Would there still be conflict between the two if the Balfour Declaration had not been created?
Summary
The Balfour Declaration dramatically increased the Jewish population. This then started the Arab-Israli conflict.