The anti-Semitism he witnessed in Paris inspired him to write a play, "The New Ghetto," 

in October 1894. The main character is a Jewish lawyer who urges Jews to free themselves 

from their spiritual ghettos. On October 15, 1894, Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer 

in the French military, was accused of treason. His court martial trial began in Paris on 

December 19, 1894. Only journalists who had received special permits and witnesses in 

the case were admitted to the court. As a representative of "Neue Freie Presse," Herzl 

attended the trial. On December 22, 1894, Dreyfus was found guilty of having sold plans 

of fortifications and other government secrets. Herzl heard the court's presiding officer rule, 

"The Court condemns Captain Alfred Dreyfus to deportation and internment for life in a 

fortified place and to deprivation of his military rank." The French newspaper "La Libre Parole" 

portrayed the incident as further evidence of Jewish treachery. The verdict strengthened Herzl's 

conviction that there was only one way stop the Jewish population from being subjected to anti-Semitism.

 He began writing "The Jewish State - A Modern Attempt to Solve the Jewish Question." 

It was published on February 14, 1896. The book became the foundation of the Zionist movement. 

It outlined the economic, social, and governmental structures of a proposed Jewish state, 

and mentioned Palestine or Argentina as its location and that the spoken language would be German. 

Before its translation into Hebrew later that year, Herzl removed Argentina as an option and said 

Hebrew, not German, would be the dominant language. Herzl's next step was to found his own newspaper 

and to organize a meeting of Jews from all over the world to hear his plans. On Friday, June 4, 1897, 

just ten days before he wrote this letter, Herzl published in Vienna the first issue of his new weekly 

periodical, "Die Welt" ("The World"). In "Die Welt" he publicized the convening of a Zionist Congress 

to be held in Munich. On June 11th, Munich's Jewish community protested holding the meeting in their city. 

Three days later, Herzl wrote this letter advising the recipient that he is "very busy." On June 17th, 

he announced the congress would be held in Basel, Switzerland, publicizing the change in the third issue 

of "Die Welt." The First Zionist Congress was held in Basel, August 29-31, 1897. 

The entrance to the congress hall was decorated with a blue and white flag bearing the Star of David. 

Over 200 different groups from 16 countries arrived in Basel. Chaired by Herzl, the Congress adopted 

the program of the Zionist movement (the Basel Program) and declared, "Zionism seeks to establish 

a home for the Jewish people in Palestine secured under public law." In his diary, Herzl wrote, 

"In Basle I founded the Jewish state...Maybe in five years, certainly in fifty, everyone will realize it." 

The Jewish state, Israel, was founded on May 14, 1948, 50 years 8 months 15 days

 after Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel.

Dated: 1897

Sizes:  5.75" x 7.75"

Condition: Triangular portion in seemingly blank 

upper right cut away. Partial split at right edge of 

mid-horizontal fold strengthened on verso with 

archival tape. Otherwise Fine.

Please see photos for details and condition,

and feel free to inquire if in doubt.

You can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.

Of course there is no Copyright sign on the Photo in real.

I GUARANTEE FOR THE AUTHENTICITY 

OF THIS LETTER.

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Thank you, and good luck.