February 15, 1902 Theodor Herzl

Dr. Theodor Herzl made a four-day visit to Constantinople.  His purpose, as guest of the Sultan, was to further the cause of Zionism by strengthening relations with Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. A pertinent entry from his diary 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 decide each time by the government, and Palestine is to be excluded…  A Charter without Palestine!  I refused at once.”

Source:  The Diary of Theodor Herzl.  Entry dated February 17, 1902.