Zionists Refused Help with the Hejaz Railway

The Zionists' Aid to the Hejaz Railway Was Rejected: Two documents found in the Ottoman archives revealed that the 200-pound aid sent by Herzl, the founder of Zionism, for the Hejaz Railway was rejected by the order of Sultan Abdulhamid II.

Two documents unearthed from the Ottoman archives revealed that the 2-pound check sent by Theodor Herzl, the founder of Zionism, to the Hejaz Railway, built during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, was returned.

In the 100th issue of Yedikıta History and Culture Magazine, two remarkable archive documents were included.

In the “Between Documents” corner prepared by Hacı Mehmet Özbek, how the 200 TL donation check sent by Theodor Herzl for Hicaz Railway was returned.

Sultan 2. Abdülhamid himself ordered the extradition

According to the document, as a result of the donation campaign carried out by Sultan Abdulhamid II between 2 and 1900 between Damascus and Medina-i Münevvere, aid came from Muslims all over the world. In addition, this request of Theodor Herzl, who wanted to participate in the aid campaign, was kindly rejected by the Ottoman State.

The document in the magazine says that Herzl's help was returned. In a French document, Herzl expressed his regret over the return of his check for help.

The document, written by the Vienna Ambassador Mahmut Nedim on April 14, 1902, includes the following information:

“To the Mabeyn-i Hümayun First Secretariat… Since the merciful sir, the assistance of Monsieur Herzl for the construction of the Hamidiye Hicaz Railway was not possible, it was necessary for our sultan to return the 200-pound check that he gave for this purpose and to receive the certificate of the aforementioned check. We received your letter dated April 1, 1902 and numbered 9855 regarding the instruction in this matter, and the document received from Herzl was presented in the annex after fulfilling the requirement. The command and edict is yours in this matter. ”

Theodor Herzl, on the other hand, received a 200-pound check and wrote to the Vienna Ambassador and expressed his sadness, saying, “I received a 200-pound check today at the Ottoman Bank, which I donated to His Highness for the Hejaz Railway. I regret that foreign donations have not yet been accepted for the railway. I wish you to be sure that I offer my excellency and deep respect. Your servant, Theodor Herzl. ” gave expressions.