Studies in the History of Zionism

The Balfour Declaration:
A Watershed in the History of the Zionist Movement

Suggestions for Activities

by Nili Kadary

Notes to the Educator

1. These activities have been adapted from the original, lengthier coursework. We advise working with additional reference materials -- at least the Enclopedia Judaica or a text book on modern Jewish history.
2. These activities are complementary. We suggest running #1 and #2 or #3 then #2. Appendix 1a [the Declaration] is a necessary text for all participants in any of the activities.

1. Assignment: the Draft versus the Final Version

Documents: Appendix 1a, Appendix 1b
Materials: Stationery

Procedure:

1. Distribute the Balfour Declaration and discuss the factors which influenced its publication [see background text]. Explain any other relevant background.
2. . Divide into groups of five participants. Group members are active in the Zionist movement, not necessarily in Britain.
   You are asked to give an opinion on the Balfour Declaration
   - Are you happy with it?
   - Are you disappointed?
   - Why?
3. As active Zionists, you had your own ideas on what should have [or not have] been included in this declaration. Do you "remember" what was in the draft you handed to Dr. Chaim Weizmann? Please write it up on official stationery of the Zionist Organization.
4. Each group reads out its "draft".
   - What are the main points of difference?
   - What might be the consequences of the Declaration as it stands?
5. Now distribute the genuine draft version [Appendix 1b]. Ask participants to compare the draft and the final version.
   * What is the significance of "accept the principle" [1b] versus "view with favour" [1a]?
   * What is the difference between the expressions: "views as an essential condition to..." [1b] and "will use their best endeavours"[1a]?
   * In what way is the territorial aspect more vague in the final version than in the Zionist draft?
6. Participants are asked to sum up:
   * If you were a Zionist in 1917, what would you have found encouraging in the Balfour Declaration, and how would you have interpreted it?
   * On which items in your various drafts [imagined or genuine] do you think it was dangerous to compromise?
   * Did you have a choice? Why/not?

2. Press Reports

Documents: One for each group of Appendix 2, 3, 4

Materials: Photocopies of contemporary photographs, poster board, graphics materials, computer with word processing and graphics software

Procedure:

1. Run as a separate activity, run on to #1, or integrate with #3.
2. Split participants into three equal-sized groups. The first represents Jewish press correspondents [Appendix 2]; the second - the Arab press [Appendix 3]; the third - the British press [Appendix 4].
3. Each group designs a banner headline with a report or editorial on the Balfour Declaration and its significance for national interests.
4. Either paste up the pages on the poster board or photocopy them for all the groups. Discuss what the differences in interpretation are and what they imply for the future in 1917 - and today.

3. Press Conference

Documents: Appendix 1a Apendices 2,3,4

Materials:
Tanach [Old Testament] or sources from Unit1 file #1;
Notepads, pencils etc.;
Camcorder;
Photocopier;
Large hall

Procedure:

1. Divide the participants into groups of 6. In each group, one person represents Dr. Weizmann and one - Lord Balfour; the other four represent [one of each] the Jewish press or media; the Arab press or media; the British press or media; the world press or media.
2. Working in groups, in a large hall, the dignitaries prepare a short statement about the purpose of the Balfour Declaration, the hopes for the future, the atmosphere of relations between the Zionist movement and the British government. They may wish to include some suitable biblical sources... The journalists write down some questions, discuss the short statements together with the dignitaries and review their questions again.
3. Set the scene so that the following is possible and allow 5 minutes per group: Two of the journalists will become a camera and sound crew if you are recording; two become police constables. Each pair of dignitaries will take their turn in producing their statements to the media outside the Foreign Secretary's official residence in Downing Street, London, on November 2nd 1917. All the journalists standing beyond the police constables can pose questions, but the press secretary [the moderator] only allows one question per journalist. The dignitaries must respond.
4. If you wish to combine this with the previous activity, articles can be written; the news report designed by the camera crew and constables.
5. Either view the news report / articles or copy all the speeches for all participants. Review:
   • How did the participants react as journalists to the Declaration?
   • How do they react in their own right?
   • Which statements seemed most convincing? Why?
   • Which statements seemed the most diplomatic? Why?
   • What messages do these statements hold for today?

Editor: Yossi Pnini; Gila Ansell Brauner (Internet version)
Internet Version: The Pedagogic Center

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