From Theological to Secular Claims

The legitimacy of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine has been disputed since at least the Balfour Declaration in November 1917, when the British Cabinet announced that it viewed “with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.” Since the emergence of Zionism towards the end of the nineteenth century, Jews themselves have debated the desirability of an independent Jewish state within the portion of the Ottoman Empire they had always considered their ancient homeland. Many were content to remain in the Diaspora until the arrival of the Messiah. Others advocated integrating as citizens within the newly established democratic states. A determined and growing minority nevertheless persisted and ultimately succeeded in seeking sovereignty in their historic homeland. Israel’s establishment has not ended internal dissention over the wisdom and legitimacy of that achievement.