The Balfour Declaration: Why a 1917 Letter Still Matters
On November 2, 1917, a short letter was sent from the British Foreign Office in London. More than a hundred years later, it is still one of the most debated documents in Middle Eastern history.
The letter
Arthur Balfour, Britain's foreign secretary, wrote to Lord Rothschild during World War I, while British troops were fighting the Ottoman Empire for control of the region. The letter was just 67 words long.
Its promise
It stated that the British government viewed with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and that nothing should be done to prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities.
The missing words
Arabs made up roughly 90 percent of Palestine's population at the time, but the letter did not name them or promise them political rights. The declaration was later built into the British Mandate for Palestine, which ran until 1948.
Why people remember it
Each year around November 2, Palestinian communities and students across the US hold talks, vigils and events. For many families, it is the start of a story that includes their grandparents' villages.
Our No Justice No Peace design says it simply, on hoodies, long sleeves and tees.
FAQ
+Who wrote the Balfour Declaration?
Arthur Balfour, Britain's foreign secretary, in a letter to Lord Rothschild on November 2, 1917.
+What did the Balfour Declaration promise?
British support for a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, without prejudicing the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities.
+What share of Palestine's population was Arab in 1917?
Roughly 90 percent.
+How did the declaration affect Palestine?
It was written into the British Mandate for Palestine, which lasted until 1948.
Shop the designs in this article
Keep exploring: Shop our Best Sellers · Read next: Ramadan & Eid 2026 in the US: Solidarity Outfits That Honor the Season
