Britain, Zionism, and the Jewish Legion

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the autumn of 1917, the British government committed itself to the “Formation of Battalions for the Reception of friendly Alien Jews,” an announcement that was followed just 7 weeks later, by the Balfour Declaration. In this article, which builds on the author's previous research into the Jewish Legion, the link between Britain and Zionism, in the context of the First World War, is reconsidered. By taking into account further secondary works, some written since the publication of The Jewish Legion and the First World War in 2004, combined with a re-examination of archival sources, the roles of geopolitics, national interest, and anti-Semitism are assessed for their relative importance. The influence of prominent personalities is also included, especially as personal relationships were exploited in the pursuit of policy, perhaps accounting for the ambiguities of the Balfour Declaration. Historians continue to debate the repercussions of the Declaration, whilst its consequences continue to influence contemporary events and international relations in the Middle East.