READING AND DISCUSSION
A celebration of the Balfour Declaration invites a deeper understanding of the long history of our struggle to create a place where the Jewish people could live free in our ancient homeland.
Here are 6 must read articles that provide a multi-layered understanding of the historical climate that allowed the Balfour Declaration to come to light, and the steps from there to Statehood.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
We are celebrating the Balfour Declaration’s 100th birthday, but do we really know what the Balfour Declaration is? Let’s ask ourselves some questions to explore more about the significance of the Balfour Declaration.
- Evaluate the events that gave rise to the Balfour Declaration and its affirmation in the international community, such as the San Remo Conference and the League of Nations Council. Would you consider the Balfour Declaration a fundamental stepping stone to the State of Israel?
- Do you think statements referring to “the historical connections of the Jewish people with Palestine” and to the moral validity of “reconstituting their National Home in that country,” carry an element of ambiguity? If so, why? Assessing how the British proceeded after the Balfour Declaration with regards to their treatment of a Jewish State in Palestine, do you still consider this declaration to have carried heavy consequences? What do you think it's impact is today?
- Why was it so important that the Jewish people not just have a land of their own but specifically that it was in Israel?
- Is the Balfour Declaration still important today? Why so?
- Why does Balfour matter?
- What do you think is the impact of commemorating a document that was written nearly a hundred years ago?
- Do you think that the British government did indeed fail to keep its promise to the Jewish people?
- Do you think that the British government did indeed fail to keep its promise to the Jewish people?
- Did the Balfour Declaration have the same significance in 1947 as in 1917? Explain your answer.
- Did the Jewish people miss the opportunity to return to the Land of Israel at any other points in history?
- Why should people know about the declaration today- do you think most of your family and friends know about it?
- If you were to add or subtract from the Declaration today- why and what would you add/subtract?
- Did the Balfour Declaration have the same significance in 1947 as in 1917? Explain your answer.
- Did the Jewish people miss the opportunity to return to the Land of Israel at any other points in history?
- Why should people know about the declaration today- do you think most of your family and friends know about it?
- If you were to add or subtract from the Declaration today- why and what would you add/subtract?
- Why do you think the Balfour Declaration is not as spoken about today?
- Do any governments take it into account today regarding Israeli policy? Why or why not?
- How much do you think the world recognizes and endorses the right for Israel to exist today?
- Do you think that the British government succeed to stand by the Balfour Declaration? Do they do so today?
- Did the Balfour Declaration have the same significance in 1947 as in 1917? Why or why not?
- Did the Jewish people miss the opportunity to return to the Land of Israel at any other points in history?
- What year would it be if you were to date a letter according to the number of years since the Balfour Declaration?
- What other important event would you date letters from?
