Belarusian Jews
The Jews in Belarus were the third largest ethnic group in the country in the first half of the 20th century. Before World War II, Jews were the third among the ethnic groups in Belarus, and in cities and towns comprised more than 40% of the population. The population of cities such as Minsk, Pinsk, Mahiliou, Babrujsk, Viciebsk, and Homiel was more than 50% Jewish. In 1897 there were 724,548 Jews in Belarus, i.e. 13.6% of the total population. Some 800,000 Jews—90% of the Jewish population—were killed in Belarus during the Holocaust. According to the 2009 census, there were 12,926 Jews in Belarus (0.1% of the population).
Marc Chagall and Mendele Mocher Sforim; Chaim Weizmann and Menachem Begin were born in Belarus.
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Read more about Belarusian Jews: Early History, Increasing Prosperity and The Great Charter (1320–1432), Jagiellon Rule, Effect of The Cossacks' Uprising in Belarus, Jewish Culture in Belarus, Belarusian Jews Under The Russian Empire, After The October Revolution, World War II, Late 20th Century To Modern Days, Notable Belarusian Jews
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“His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.”
—A.J. (Arthur James)