Balfour stated in February 1919 that Palestine was considered an exceptional case in which, referring to the local population, "we deliberately and rightly decline to accept the principle of self-determination," although he considered that the policy provided self-determination to Jews.
Pada Februari 1919, Balfour berkata bahwa Palestina dianggap sebuah kasus pengecualian dimana, merujuk kepada penduduk lokal, "kita secara deliberasi dan berhak mengurungkan penerimaan prinsip penentuan nasib sendiri," meskipun ia menganggap bahwa kebijakan tersebut menyediakan penentuan nasib sendiri untuk Yahudi.