Sixteen press photos documenting the arrival in Palestine of the Zionist Commission, headed by Chaim Weizmann, in 1918.
The Zionist Commission was a Zionist organization established following the Balfour Declaration with the aim of mediating between the British government and the Jewish yishuv in Palestine. The Zionist Commission was active in Palestine, with the consent of the British government, during the years 1918-1921. It was headed by Chaim Weizmann and most of its members were British Jews. Commission members included James de Rothschild, David Eder, Sir Aryeh (Leon) Simon, Major William Ormsby-Gore, Aaron Aaronsohn, Zalman David Levontin and others. The Commission members arrived in Palestine in April 1918. Their work focused on the renewal and development of the Jewish settlement in Palestine, and on laying a firm basis for the implementation of the Balfour Declaration.
The collection includes group photos of the Zionist Commission members and photos from events and receptions held in their honor in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Rishon LeZion.
Including: * Two photos of the Commission members at a train station. * Photos from a reception for the Zionist Commission in Tel Aviv: a group photo of the Commission members (in the center is Chaim Weizmann dressed in a white suit, beside him are Betzalel Yaffe, James de Rothschild, Major Ormsby-Gore, Edwin Samuel, Aaron Aaronsohn and others); photo of the public gathered at the reception. * Photos from a celebratory dinner held in honor of the Commission at a public park in Rishon LeZion: the Commission members seated around the dining table, Weizmann speaking at the event, Commission members dancing after the meal and more. * Reception for the Zionist Commission in Jerusalem. * Additional photos.
16 photos: 15 approx. 15X20 cm., stamped with the stamp of the British Associated Illustration Agencies, with titles on verso. One photo 13X16.5 cm., with a handwritten title on verso. Overall good condition. Minor damage. Tears to two photographs.
Provenance: Estate of Sir Aryeh (Leon) Simon (1881-1965) - one of the leaders of the British Zionists, a writer and translator. Simon assisted in formulating the draft of the Balfour Declaration (the declaration draft, written on a napkin, was found in his archive and sold by Sotheby’s in 2005); member of the Zionist Commission.