The British government proposed a plan to Theodor Herzl, offering Uganda as a settlement territory for one million Jews. This land would be governed by Jews themselves, with a Jewish governor, while being under British sovereignty. Herzl's intention was to provide a practical solution for Jewish settlement despite the displacement from their historical homeland.

When Herzl's associate, Max Nordau, raised concerns about the territory not being Palestine, Herzl likened his approach to that of Moses, suggesting that they might need to take an indirect route to achieve their ultimate goal. This reflects the complexities and strategic decisions faced by early Zionist leaders in their pursuit of a homeland for the Jewish people.