(Father of Political Zionism, 1860-1904). Typed Memorandum Signed in German, addressed: “Strictly Confidential. Very Dear Colleagues.”

<<Important Memorandum Signed by Herzl Regarding Crucial Negotiations with the Turkish Sultan on behalf of Jewish claims to Palestine.>> On February 15th, 1902 Theodor Herzl arrived in Constantinople as guest of the Turkish Sultan, seeking to strengthen relations with the Ottoman Empire in order to further the cause of Zionism. A pertinent entry from Herzl’s diary of February 17 states: “The Sultan is willing to open his empire to all Jews who become Turkish subjects, but the regions to be settled are to be decided each time by the government, and Palestine is to be excluded… A Charter without Palestine! I refused at once.” The present letter was written five days later as an internal memo for the elected leaders of the Greater Actions Committee (later the Zionist General Council). The first paragraph comments on the difficulties presented during the meetings: “In the course of the negotiations an end result was not achieved, because the offers made from the Turkish side were not completely in line with our program. Under such circumstances, Dr. Herzl did not believe he was permitted to accept them. In the meantime the relationship remains excellent and the negotiations are progressing.” The letter subsequently authorizes a tightly prepared statement to be discretionally shared: “During his stay in Constantinople as the recent guest of the Sultan, Dr. Herzl became convinced of [the Sultan’s] positive opinions regarding the Jewish people. Negotiations have embarked upon a good path. What is expected of the Zionists is that in the future they will make greater efforts…for the strengthening of our financial instruments, for the sale of shares of the Jewish colonial bank, for the shekel, and for the National Fund.” The notation “Strictly Confidential” was necessary Herzl writes, since: “Unfortunately, in earlier years we have had the unpleasant experience that certain officials of the Greater Action Committee have passed on important communications without the necessary caution.” Thus, “if for any reason, an indiscretion is made, even once, by a member of the Greater Action Committee, we will publish his name… and no further circulars will be sent to that individual.”