The Balfour Declaration was a public statement, issued by the British government on November 2, 1917, announcing its support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. There were a number of religious Christians in the government – including Prime Minister David Lloyd-George – who were in favor of the Jews’ return to their historical homeland.

When you enter the land that Hashem your God is giving you as a heritage, and you possess it and settle in it. (Devarim 26:1)

וְ הָ יָה ּכִ י־תָ בֹוא אֶ ל־הָ אָ רֶ ץ אֲ ׁשֶ ר יְ-ה-וָ -ה אֱ -ֹלהֶ יָך נֹתֵ ן לְ ָך נַחֲ לָ ה וִ ירִ ׁשְ ּתָ ּה וְ יָ ׁשַ בְ ּתָ ּבָ ּה׃

v’-ha-YAH kee ta-VO el ha-A-retz a-SHER a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha no-TAYN l’-KHA na-kha-LAH vee-rish-TAH v’-ya-SHAV-ta BAH

The 1917 Balfour Declaration is one of the most significant documents in modern Jewish history, articulating the historic right of the Jewish people to re-establish their homeland in Israel. Written by foreign secretary Arthur James Balfour and approved by the government of Great Britain, the declaration states clearly and unequivocally that Britain’s leaders “view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavors to facilitate the achievement of this object.” Lord Balfour was a deeply religious Christian Zionist, whose biblical upbringing led to his pivotal support for the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. This verse promises the Jewish people that Eretz Yisrael is their inheritance, their birthright and heritage forever. Throughout history, Hashem has used individuals such as Balfour as His agents in returning His people back to Israel.