Palestinian Refugees: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Question: Who are the Palestinians?
   The Palestinians are those people who trace their roots over many centuries to the land of Palestine often referred to as the Holy Land.
   
   
2. How did they become refugees?
   In 1948, 750,000 Palestinians became refugees. The majority were forcibly expelled by the Jewish forces, or fled for their lives after massacres of Palestinians in villages such as Deir Yassin. Over 300,000 Palestinians became refugees even before the creation of the State of Israel.
   
   
3. Did they try to come back?
   For 59 years Israel has consistently refused to allow Palestinian refugees to return - in contempt of international law. Their homes were confiscated and occupied and over 400 Palestinian villages were destroyed.
   
   
4. Where are they now?
   Palestinian refugees are scattered all over the world. Millions still live in refugee camps in neighbouring countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria); the West Bank and Gaza Strip; and as internal refugees within Israel itself. The refugee camps are overcrowded, squalid, and offer only the most rudimentary facilities.
   
   
5. How many refugees are there now?
   There are over 4 million registered with the UN (see UNRWA website), but also an additional one million who not registered. A further 300,000 Palestinians were displaced as a result of the 1967 War.
   
   
6. Why is the right of return important?
   Palestinians, like Kosovans and East Timorese, have a deep emotional attachment to their land. Quite naturally they want to be able to return.
   
   
7. What are the rights of the Palestinian refugees?
   International law clearly states that all the refugees have a right to return and compensation.
   
   
8. What is happening to the refugees in the peace process?
   The issue of the refugees is about to be discussed between Israel and the Palestinians in final status negotiations. Only the intervention of the international community, as happened in Kosovo and East Timor, will ensure that the rights of refugees are upheld. Without a resolution of this central issue, there will never be peace in the Middle East.

What can the EU and Britain do?
The EU, of which Britain is a leading player, has a major stake in the future of the Middle East Peace Process, politically, geographically and economically. By virtue of being the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, the EU needs to play a more active political role.

What can your MP do?
All MPs can write to the relevant Ministers including the Prime Minister about the right of return for Palestinian refugees. They can raise the issue in debates in the House of Commons.

For further information, contact Chris Doyle at caabu@caabu,org or Tel: +44 (0)20 7832 1310