Approximately
800,000 Palestinians were pushed beyond the borders of the land occupied
in 1948. Some fled in fear of what would happen to them, others were
physically and brutally transported and forced to leave. Around 30,000
people were internally displaced, able to stay in the borders of the new
state, but not in their own villages. After the end of hostilities,
these refugees were not allowed to return to their homes and lands, and
over the years, much of the property was destroyed or subsumed in new
Jewish settlements or forests. Today it is estimated that there are over
seven million Palestinian refugees worldwide.
Giving
up the right of return that is enshrined in international law is
marketed within the peace process as a right that Palestinians should
give up. It is claimed as unfeasible or conflicting with Israeli rights.
But why have so many other refugees around the world been allowed to
return after conflict with full international support? Why have the
Palestinians been one of the most high-profile exceptions?
One
of the most prevailing myths or lies about Palestinian refugees is that
they do not really want to return but are simply cynically manipulated
by their leaders. On the contrary, in recent years, the Palestinian
Authority would have been in a much better position with the
international community if it had persuaded refugees to accept
compromise. The struggle for return comes from the grassroots and not
from above; the PA could never sign this away without dividing the
community and provoking a serious leadership challenge.
The
hope and struggle for return was kept alive in the early years even when
the pre-Nakba leadership had been dispersed (see History of the
Struggle). While some refugees have made successful new lives for
themselves against all odds, even these would like to have their rights
recognized, even if they choose not to return. But for many, although
sixty years has passed, life is still a great hardship and it weighs
upon the international community not to abandon these people to the
continuing injustice that they face (See THE PEOPLE for more details of
difficulties faced by refugees across the world).
See
the UNWRA Web site.
