In November 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, stating it would “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.” By mid-December, the British army conquered Jerusalem, ending centuries of Ottoman rule and paving the way for the fulfillment of Britain’s pledge. Years later, the Israeli artist Nahum Gutman recalled the exultation felt by the Jews of Jerusalem as they greeted their imperial saviors. Wishing to address a British Tommy, yet not speaking a word of English, a young Jewish student turned to the soldier and asked, hesitantly, “Shakespeare?” Smiling, the soldier replied: “Shakespeare!” Reassured, the student continued with “Dickens?!” – to which the soldier replied: “Dickens!” “Bernard Shaw?” tried the student again, and the soldier responded: “Bernard Shaw!” “Our eyes shone as in a dream,” concluded Gutman: “We were finally treading on firm soil.” The names of the great British authors are exchanged here like allies’ watch-words or a brotherly code.