Nahum Sokolow
LEADING ZIONIST OFFICIAL AND DIPLOMAT1859 – 1936
1914
Nahum Sokolow arrives in England as member of Zionist Executive. He and Weizmann form strong partnership
December 31, 1914
Zionist leaders Nahum Sokolow and Jehiel Tschlenow in London join forces with Weizmann
September 30, 1916
Sokolow is charged by the executive committee of the English Zionist Federation with the writing of a document which will eventually be presented to the British government.
October 9, 1916
Sokolow presents ‘Outline of Programme for the Jewish Resettlement of Palestine’ to the English Zionist Federation executive
February 7, 1917
Sykes meet Zionist leaders which include CW, Sokolow, James de Rothschild. Lord Walter Rothschild and Herbert Samuel also attend.
February 7, 1917
Meeting with Sykes at home of Moses Gaster; attending are Zionist leaders Herbert Samuel, Weizmann, Sokolow, Lord Rothschild, James de Rothschild, Joseph Cowen, Harry Sacher and Herbert Bentwich
February 8, 1917
Sokolov meets Georges-Picot at Mark Sykes’s residence.
February 8, 1917
Sykes introduces Sokolow to Picot, who tells him the future of Palestine will have to be decided between France, Russia and Britain
February 10, 1917
Sykes, Sokolow and Weizmann meet at Sykes’s residence to review the situation.
February 10, 1917
Weizmann and Sokolow discuss the latter’s meeting with Picot
April 4, 1917
Weizmann writes to Sokolow that Lloyd George is “emphatic on the point of British Palestine”
April 9, 1917
Sokolow meets high ranking French officials in Paris reports that Zionist project is welcomed enthusiastically.
April 14, 1917
Sokolow tells Alliance Israelite (which opposes political Zionism) that the Zionists do not desire a state and would be satisfied to be subjects of the protecting power
April 19, 1917
Sokolow writes Weizmann about meeting with French. “I was told they accept in principle the recognition of Jewish nationality in terms of a national home, local autonomy…”
April 24, 1917
Pending decision on new British offensive, a gloomy Sykes cables Sokolow and Jabotinsky from Cairo
April 30, 1917
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Gasparri tells Sokolow: “I assure you… you may count on our sympathy. We shall be glad to see the land of Israel”
May 4, 1917
Sokolow meets Pope Benedict XV who expresses his sympathy with the idea of the Jews returning to Palestine
May 4, 1917
Sokolow has audience with Pope Benedict XV. Sokolow asks for pope’s support: “Yes, yes – I believe that we shall be good neighbors,” the pope replies
May 12, 1917
Sokolow is received warmly by the Italian Prime minister but the Italians are non-committal in their response to Zionism.
June 4, 1917
Jules Cambon writes to Sokolov expressing the sympathy of the French government with Zionism.
October 4, 1917
Balfour reads out the Cambon letter to Sokolow to the cabinet
November 2, 1917
Balfour Declaration issued: Britain promises a national home for the Jews in Palestine
November 2, 1917
At an impromptu dinner party at the Weizmann residence Chaim Weizmann, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, and Tolkowsky do a Hassidic dance around the table in Weizmann’s study.
1931
17th Zionist Congress held in Basle. Nahum Sokolow elected President of World Zionist Organization in place of Weizmann, who is seen as too close to the British. Hayim Arlosoroff heads Jewish Agency political bureau
My deepest wish was always to contribute to the rebirth of my people.