Zionism is a nationalist and political movement of Jews and Jewish Culture that supports the re-establishment of a Jewish Homeland. Of course there were many thinkers and writers defend the establishment of a Jewish Homeland, Theodor Herzl may be the theoretician of this movement. In 1897 he published his book Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State) and many Jews had begun to believe they could establish their own state in one day.
Theodor Herzl was looking a financial supporter to his plan where Jewish Company plays major role. His first and last stop was Rothschild Family. They had been banker family since 1760s. They had establishments in London, Paris, Vienna, Naples and Frankfurt. During the 19th century, when at its height, the Rothschild family is believed by some to have possessed the largest private fortune in the world, as well as the largest private fortune in modern world history.
However, Herzl's attempt was fruitless. Not because Rothschild's did not support Zionism, Zionism was true path but Herzl's method and time was not suitable. Anyway, Zionism was on fire and Zionist's first assembly was arranged in 1897 in the name of World Zionist Congress in Switzerland at the initiative of Theodor Herzl. At the end of Congress;
Zionism aims at establishing for the Jewish people a legally assured home in Palestine. For the attainment of this purpose, the Congress considers the following means serviceable:
(1) the promotion of the settlement of Jewish agriculturists [farmers], artisans, and tradesmen in Palestine;
(2) the federation [unified organisation] of all Jews into local or general groups, according to the laws of the various countries;
(3) the strengthening of the Jewish feeling and consciousness [national sentiment and national consciousness];
(4) preparatory steps for the attainment of those governmental grants which are necessary to the achievement of the Zionist purpose
At the beginning of 20th century Zionism was influential and effective in UK, they had an influence on governments and naturally on politics. Palastine conflict between France and UK was seen as opportunity for them. Palastine was left as international territory and it had become ready to immigrate and settle. The only problem was government's policy on immigration which should help and support immigrants.
Herbert Samuel, Zionist Liberal Party member, argued that supporting of creation of Jewish colony in Palastine, would be beneficial for UK in defence of Suez. In the future, Jewish population would be political power in Palastine and any foreign power could not sovereign Palastine as an international territory. On the other hand, UK would gain high popularity from Zionists who were rich and effective in world politics especially in USA.
As a result UK had decided to support immigration and this decision was recorded in a historical letter. Former Prime Minister and actual Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour who was available at Sykes-Picot meetings, wrote a letter to Walter Rothschild, 2nd Baron Rothschild in 2 November 1917.
“His Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”
This decision was opposite to another agreement which was achieved with Sharif Husein of Mecca, however Sharif Husein was not seen as indispensable as Jews. As a result, Jewish immigration had started and it grew every year. In the future this immigration was going to create conflicts between Jews and Arabs whose lands and properties would be purchased by immigrants.
