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 Middle East Strategic Information (MESI) Analysis

No. 9  November 5, 2008

  

 MESI Issue of the Week

 

A Reevaluation of the Balfour Declaration

 

 Ashley Perry 

 

On November 2, the Balfour Declaration was 91 years old. Although seemingly irrelevant in today's political scenery, it was the crucial first official recognition of Jewish national aspirations, much disparaged even unto this day.

 

Although the declaration itself had little legal status, it was later incorporated into the S?vres peace treaty with Turkey and the Mandate for Palestine, adopted unanimously by the League of Nations in the San Remo Resolution of 1920. This lent Zionism an international legitimacy enjoyed by few national movements before or since.

 

Perhaps most astonishing today, the leader of the Arab movement, King Faisal, supported the declaration when it was referred to in the Faisal-Weizmann Agreement of 1919. Although many have since attempted to deny the central nature of the document and its relationship to the Mandate, that's not how its British drafters saw things.

 

In fact, as stated in the 1937 Royal Commission Report, "the primary purpose of the Mandate, as expressed in its preamble and its articles, is to promote the establishment of the Jewish National Home." The initial drafts of the Balfour Declaration spoke of the desire "that Palestine should be reconstituted as the National Home of the Jewish people." Clearly, Palestine as a whole was intended to become this Jewish national home.

 

There can be no denying that the Balfour Declaration was unique, not only in Jewish history, but possibly in the history of national movements. For a short period, all the major powers, the leader of the Arab world and most interested parties created a mechanism to fulfill the Zionist dream.

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 MESI Weekly News Digest

  

Strategic Context

 

 Iran's Al-Quds Octopus Spreads its Arms  by Yaniv Berman (Media Line)

 

 Libya's Gaddafi Visits Russia on Arms Drive  by Tom Pfeiffer (Reuters)

 

 Despite Boycott, EU Legislators Invite Hamas Lawmakers to Brussels  (Ha'aretz)

 

Regional Affairs

 

 University Professors Refuse to Enroll Christian Students  (Al Arabiya)

 

 Palestinian Security Forces Conduct First Raid in Hebron  (Kuwait Times)

Commentary

Syria .. What about Your Sovereignty? by Tariq Alhomayed (Asharq Alawsat)

 

Scandals Shift Balance of Power in Egypt  by Ramadan Al Sherbini (Gulf News) 

   

 Will Lebanon's Politicians Spoil Yet Another Opportunity? by Tariq Alhomayed (Asharq Alawsat)

 

 Early Zionists and Arabs  by Judea Pearl (Middle East Quarterly) 

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Paradigms and Anomalies

 

Paradigm:  Syria has recognised Lebanon's territorial integrity

 

Anomalies:

• Though Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon in 2005, there are still reports that Syria is indirectly supporting the instigation of violence across the border. Shaker al-Absi, a Syrian-based Palestinian fighter now supporting Al-Qaeda, had been mysteriously freed from Syrian police custody, despite having been arrested for coordinating the assassination of an American diplomat in Jordan. Even more, men affiliated with his faction have been responsible for numerous attacks against the Lebanese army - a clear indication that Syria's claim to have pulled out of Lebanon completely is only nominal. Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, was quoted in state media, saying that northern Lebanon had become a "base for extremists" and that such developments "posed a threat" to Syria.
• A recent Syrian troops build-up along the Lebanese border has forced many to question whether the Syrian government realistically seeks to maintain the diplomatic progress that began on October 15, when the two countries established diplomatic relations for the first time in history. Approximately 10,000 troops have been deployed along the Lebanese border. While Syria claims this is merely an effort to counter smuggling, many in Lebanon fear that Damascus is planning another intervention. 
•   Historically, Syria has played a disconcerting role in Lebanese politics. Ali Ibrahim, Egyptian MP and editor of the Egyptian daily Al-Gomhouriyya, has pointed to the Syrian government's unwillingness to disengage from Lebanese politics and establish good relations with the government. He specifically refers to the absence of a Syrian embassy in Beirut and direct meddling in the Lebanese civil war. 
• Syria continues to exert its influence on Hezbollah, the Shia-backed Islamist militia in Lebanon. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has urged "all parties which maintain close ties with Hezbollah and have the ability to influence it, in particular Syria and Iran, to support its transformation into a political party proper."  

Quote of the Week

 

"The annihilation of the Jews here in Palestine is one of the most splendid blessings for Palestine. This will be followed by a greater blessing, Allah be praised, with the establishment of a Caliphate that will rule the land and will be pleasing to men and God."

 

- Palestinian cleric Muhsen Abu 'Ita

 

  

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The Middle East Strategic Information Analysis is a project of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs