Balfour Declaration Centennial - Set

Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the Zionist Organization, entered into negotiations with British leaders shortly after the start of WWI in an attempt to achieve their recognition of the Jewish people's right to Eretz Israel. In late 1917, following lengthy discussions and after many objections, these efforts came to fruition with the Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government led by Lloyd George. The text of the declaration was sent by Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild on November 2, 1917, with the request that he forward it to the Zionist Federation. "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". In his book Trial and Error, Weizmann described his feelings when the final draft was approved: "Whilst the Cabinet met to approve the final draft, I waited outside, in case I was needed. Sykes brought me the document and cried: 'Dr. Weizmann, a son is born!' If truth be told, I was not fond of the "baby" at first. This was not what I had expected, but I knew this was a great event... a new chapter had opened before us, filled with new difficulties, but not lacking great moments."