Overview

A concise account of the players, motivations, and setting for one of the most consequential letters of modern history. The letter began a process by which the international community came to embrace the idea of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. Jager brings to life the extraordinary personalities working amid the global conflict that was World War I. With the war still raging and despite political machinations and numerous secret deals, the Balfour Declaration was issued publicly. Britain promised Palestine to no one but the Jews -- yet almost immediately, it began backtracking. One hundred years later, amid the Arab worlds unremitting rejection of the very idea of a Jewish homeland, this book spells out the backstory of todays headlines.

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9789652299246

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Reviews

"A century after the Balfour Declaration was issued, Elliot Jager's book provides a concise and well-written primer, which should be essential reading for anyone interested in the pivotal historical document that paved the way for the State of Israel. As Israel battles a new wave of anti-Zionism in the guise of BDS, I highly recommend it to anyone advocating for the justice of the Jewish state's cause today. --Steve Linde, Former Editor-in-Chief, The Jerusalem Post -- (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) A rare combination of historical scholarship and passionate personal insight. Elliot Jager's impressive and readable survey sheds light on the historic context of the Balfour Declaration, and no less so on its implications for the current day. Daniel Taub, Former Ambassador of Israeli to the United Kingdom --Daniel Taub (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) Elliot Jager's book on the Balfour Declaration couldn't be more timely, not only because of the 100th anniversary of the document, but because enemies of Israel are more and more apt today to deny the thousands of years of Jewish connection to the land of Israel. The Declaration's greatest significance lies in the international legitimacy it gave to Zionism. In basing that legitimacy on the history of Jews and Israel, it also established the case for the Jewish state. Jager's book should be widely read as a reminder to the world that the return of the Jewish people to its ancient homeland is a great modern story and one based on long overdue need for self-determination for the Jewish people. --Abraham H. Foxman, National Director Emeritus Anti-Defamation League --Abraham Foxman (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) This short book tells the story -- and the surprises -- behind one of the most fateful documents in modern times. Who knew that the main opposition to the Balfour Declaration came not from the Arabs, but the Jewish community? Through the picture he paints of all the players, Jager brings this fascinating moment in history alive.--Saul Singer, Co-author Start-Up Nation -- ""Saul Singer"" (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) Through meticulous research, skilled writing, and a sure sense of the way the wheels of history turn, Elliot Jager has created a book of unique value for understanding not just the origins of the Balfour Declaration but the roots of Israel and the Zionist enterprise.--Suzanne Garment, Co-author, with Daniel P. Moynihan, A Dangerous Place --Suzanne Garment"

A century after the Balfour Declaration was issued, Elliot Jager's book provides a concise and well-written primer, which should be essential reading for anyone interested in the pivotal historical document that paved the way for the State of Israel. As Israel battles a new wave of anti-Zionism in the guise of BDS, I highly recommend it to anyone advocating for the justice of the Jewish state's cause today. --Steve Linde, Former Editor-in-Chief, The Jerusalem Post -- (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) A rare combination of historical scholarship and passionate personal insight. Elliot Jager's impressive and readable survey sheds light on the historic context of the Balfour Declaration, and no less so on its implications for the current day. Daniel Taub, Former Ambassador of Israeli to the United Kingdom --Daniel Taub (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) Elliot Jager's book on the Balfour Declaration couldn't be more timely, not only because of the 100th anniversary of the document, but because enemies of Israel are more and more apt today to deny the thousands of years of Jewish connection to the land of Israel. The Declaration's greatest significance lies in the international legitimacy it gave to Zionism. In basing that legitimacy on the history of Jews and Israel, it also established the case for the Jewish state. Jager's book should be widely read as a reminder to the world that the return of the Jewish people to its ancient homeland is a great modern story and one based on long overdue need for self-determination for the Jewish people. --Abraham H. Foxman, National Director Emeritus Anti-Defamation League --Abraham Foxman (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) This short book tells the story -- and the surprises -- behind one of the most fateful documents in modern times. Who knew that the main opposition to the Balfour Declaration came not from the Arabs, but the Jewish community? Through the picture he paints of all the players, Jager brings this fascinating moment in history alive.--Saul Singer, Co-author Start-Up Nation -- Saul Singer (7/24/2017 12:00:00 AM) Through meticulous research, skilled writing, and a sure sense of the way the wheels of history turn, Elliot Jager has created a book of unique value for understanding not just the origins of the Balfour Declaration but the roots of Israel and the Zionist enterprise.--Suzanne Garment, Co-author, with Daniel P. Moynihan, A Dangerous Place --Suzanne Garment

Author Information

Elliot Jager is a Jerusalem-based journalist, lecturer, and senior contributing editor at the Jerusalem Report. He holds a PhD from NYU in political science and a BA in Judaic studies from Brooklyn College. Before moving to Israel in 1997, he worked for the New York City government and was an adjunct assistant professor of political science. His memoir The Pater: My Father, My Judaism, My Childlessness was published in 2015. He was editorial project director and content writer of balfour100, a project of the UK-based Jewish Leadership Council.

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