§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree that the creation of the State of Israel stemmed from the Balfour Declaration, and that Balfour, Lloyd George, Churchill and others believed that the establishment of one democratic state in the Middle East would serve to provide the Jewish people with a place from which they could protect themselves.
§ Lord TREFGARNENo. The Balfour Declaration recorded that His1590WA Majesty's Government favoured the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people; it being clearly understood that nothing should be done to prejudice the rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine. There was no mention of a future state. Much ink has been spilt on the interpretation of these words; for example, the Churchill White Paper of 1922 declared that it was not the Government's intention to create a wholly Jewish Palestine and referred approvingly to a resolution of the Zionist Congress which stated the
determination of the Jewish people to live with the Arab people on terms of unity and mutual respect, and together with them to make the common home into a flourishing community".House adjourned at nine minutes past eight o'clock.