August 23, 1903–August 28, 1903
Herzl Proposes a Jewish Settlement in East Africa
Historical context
At the Sixth Zionist Congress in August 1903, Theodor Herzl proposed a British offer of land in East Africa.
Archive record
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- Date
- August 23, 1903–August 28, 1903
- Verified sources
- 2
- Archive threads
- 3
At the Sixth Zionist Congress in Basel, Theodor Herzl proposed a British offer of land in East Africa as a temporary refuge for Jews facing pogroms. Jewish Action dates that proposal to the congress opening on 23 August 1903. The Jewish Virtual Library dates it to 26 August. The land was in what is now Kenya. It was called the Uganda scheme because of the Uganda railway.
The congress voted 295 to 178 to send a commission. Herzl's closing speech was on 28 August. The Seventh Zionist Congress rejected the plan in 1905.
Research trail
Sources and further reading
- What's the Truth about the Uganda Plan? · Jewish Action · Jewish Action View source
- Zionist Congress: The Uganda Proposal · Jewish Virtual Library · Jewish Virtual Library View source
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