On Sun, 09 Oct 2005 17:14:38 +0200, Chel van Gennip
wrote:

Just for the record, in 1917 Balfour promissed several things as a
package deal, the declaration reads:
"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."

Indeed. And, as it was patently impossible to give land to Israel
without taking it away from someone else, the third clause provides a
get-out. Nice one, Arthur :-)