(In November 2, 1917, the British Foreign Minister, Balfour, wrote a letter to the banker Lord Rothschild intended for the English Zionist Federation. The letter promises British help for Jews to establish a homeland for themselves in Palestine. Britain at the time had an agreement with the French on joint administration of Eretz-Israel. It is believed the British government hoped the securing of French approval for Zionism would be the first stage in taking Eretz-Israel for itself.
Foreign Office November 2nd, 1917
Dear Lord Rothschild,
I have much pleasure in conveying to you, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, 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 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."
I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation.
Yours sincerely, Arthur James Balfour

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