Balfour Declaration Day

Balfour Declaration Day

November 2Jews, particularly those in Israel, observe Balfour Declaration Day in memory of a turning point in modern Jewish history. On November 2, 1917, Arthur J. Balfour, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent a letter to Lord Rothschild indicating that the British government was in favor of establishing a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Although this may not seem to be as significant an event as Israel Independence Day, the Jewish people felt that the British government's commitment to their cause was very important. The day on which it was made has been kept as a semi-holiday ever since.
CONTACTS:
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9 Yitzhak Rabin Blvd.
Kiryat Ben-Gurion
Jerusalem, 91035 Israel
972-2-530-3111; fax: 972-2-530-3367
www.mfa.gov.il
SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 665
AnnivHol-2000, p. 185
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 282
DictWrldRel-1989, p. 89