Balfour Declaration

Why Israel still honors Britain in its streets despite bitter history

The long, seesawing history of Britain’s involvement in Zionism, from imperial sponsorship to modern diplomatic rupture.

Streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are named after Britain’s King George V due to the Balfour Declaration supporting the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in what was then known as Palestine, which was issued during his reign.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a stakeout before attending a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City, U.S., August 5, 2025.

Gideon Sa'ar responds to Yvette Cooper’s criticism of Israel during UN Security Council meeting

SUPPORTERS OF Defend Our Juries take part in a protest as part of the group's campaign to lift the ban on Palestine Action, ahead of a judicial review in London next week, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, November 22, 2025.

Jailed UK Palestine Action members end hunger strike, claim victory

The iCenter's recent Conflicts of Interest cohort gathering in Chicago. Participants were participating in a gallery walk of photos and texts, and accompanying audio clips, related to modern day and historical Israel.

Israel-Hamas War: Teaching and learning about the conflict - opinion


Should Jews celebrate Balfour Day?

The declaration was the culmination during WWI of a year of continuous negotiations between the Zionist movement and the British government.

Arthur James Balfour

Anniversary of Balfour Declaration: Remembering Arthur James Balfour

Thank you Britain for your Balfour Declaration – Chag Balfour Sameach!

Lord Balfour's writing desk. Museum of the Jewish People, Tel Aviv.

A critical look at the Balfour demonstrations

Demonstrators protest the government's mismanagement of the fight against COVID-19 and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in front of his Jerusalem residence, Aug. 29, 2020.

Britain, the Bible, and Balfour: Jonathan Immanuel’s new book

With meticulous attention to detail, and in highly readable style, Immanuel proceeds to illustrate how the idea of a Jewish return to Zion took root in English political theory

Britain, the Bible and Balfour Jonathan Immanuel Lexington Books, 2019 419 pages; $84/56 pounds

PA official claims Herzl wanted Palestinians to 'be eaten in Africa'

In a recent sermon, a top PA religious official criticized Theodor Herzl as racist and Arthur Balfour as an antisemite.

Theodor Herzl leaning over the balcony of the Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel, Switzerland, probably during the Sixth Zionist Conference there in 1903

Pompeo is right, the settlements are not illegal

But statements alone can’t survive without acts on the ground.

A general view picture shows houses in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, in the West Bank February 15, 2017

Palestinians call on Britain to apologize for Balfour Declaration

Ibrahim Milhem, spokesperson for the PA government, said that the Palestinians “fell victim to the greed of colonialism, expansion and ethnic cleansing” as a result of the Balfour Declaration.

Carte postale créée par l’institut Betsalel en l’honneur de la déclaration Balfour

Departing British PM lauded for combating antisemitism and Hezbollah

"We will always appreciate her friendship and support,” Jewish community leader says

British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves after making a statement, at Downing Street in London, Britain, May 24, 2019.

Grapevine: A successful revolution

Though a sincere friend of the Jewish people, Balfour is far from happy with some of Israel’s policies, and had intended to mention this in his speech, but a friend counseled him against it.

FROM LEFT: Baron David de Rothschild, Lord Jacob Rothschild, Ronald S. Lauder and Robert Kraft.

Here and There: Remember November

Does a Jewish state create antisemitism? It was not the reason that six million of our people were murdered.

The Balfour Declaration