ABSTRACT
The Balfour Declaration was a part of the global war waged in the name of nation, it was fundamentally a document of empire. The role Christian Zionism played in the production and issuance of the Balfour Declaration remains hotly contested. As with Jewish religious Zionism, Palestine and a Jewish restoration were linked to a messianic return and the restoration of the state of Israel. English Protestantism's particular interpretation of the nature of Zionism distinguished Great Britain from its Catholic counterparts in Europe in two ways, opening the door for its eventual role in the creation of the Balfour Declaration. In August 1914 Great Britain attempted to avoid "drawing Japan into trouble", but warned "the Japanese Government that if hostilities spread to the Far East and an attack is made on Hong Kong or Wei-hei-wei, H. M. Government will rely on their support".
