Right of Return

[Marshal Murat]

Now, as part of the settlement, beyond the 2-states, the Palestinians want a clause that if they can make a verbal claim to a piece of property, it must automatically be returned to them. No argument, no appeal, if they say it's theirs, it's theirs.

I have a problem with that.
If I could do that, I'd be snatching every house I liked.

Wiki RoR

According to the extensive article, the Israeli 'RoR' is no limited to Jewish descendants.

The Israeli Law of Return does not categorically exclude non-Jews from immigrating to Israel. Any person who wishes to settle in Israel may do so. That person must meet the requirements set forth in the Law of Entry to Israel (1952) and the Law of Citizenship (1952), regarding naturalization. These requirements are similar to those stated in the laws of most countries such as:

1. they must have resided in Israel for three years out of five years preceding the day of submission of the application;
2. they are residing legally in Israel and have settled permanently or intend to settle permanently in Israel;
3. they have renounced their prior nationality, or have proved that they will cease to be foreign nationals upon becoming Israeli citizens.

Then a hypocritical argument by Palestinians about UN 194

The text of its Article 11: "[r]esolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property..."[12] The Arab states originally rejected this resolution, although today they often leverage it in arguing for a Palestinian right of return.

Then the 'Impact of Palestinian RoR'

If all the Palestinian refugees and their descendants (estimates range between 5 and 8 million people) were to return to their original home within Israel this would lead to a demographic shift which would end Israel's status as a Jewish state, as Israel's current population is composed of about 5.8 million Jews and 1.3 million Muslim and Christian Palestinian Arabs. This is the main cause for Israel's continued resistance to the so-called Palestinian "right of return".

Then the irony of the entire situation.

Supporters of the right to return claim that if a Jew born in America has the right to immigrate to Palestine/Israel, a Palestinian born in a refugee camp should have the right to return to his or her homeland. They also point to a June 2003 survey of Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan and Lebanon, which found that only 10% of those surveyed stated that they would become residents of Israel if given a Choice

URL insert is author note.


In light of the Wiki article and my own personal feelings, I suggest that a 'limited right of return' be enacted.
If a Palestinian refugee or descendant of refugee has land wills, grants, other documents, and it can be verified then they should be allowed back to either
1. Take possession of said plot of land, and all assets.
2. Take a monetary compensations.



Reminds me of the Farfour episode.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

If Jews have a right of return based on nothing legally or even ethnically tangible why shouldn't Palastinians have the same?

That's the real question.

[Marshal Murat]

If Jews have a right of return based on nothing legally or even ethnically tangible why shouldn't Palastinians have the same?

Supporters of the right to return claim that if a Jew born in America has the right to immigrate to Palestine/Israel, a Palestinian born in a refugee camp should have the right to return to his or her homeland.

We are all stuck.
Moderation is the key. If you give to much, then the Jewish majority will become a minority and there will be deadly consequences. To little and you have the current situation.

[Brenus]

Well, I had to deal with the “Right of Return” for another conflict, the Former Yugoslav conflicts…
In theory all Agreements signed accepted the principal. However, the implementation is a little bit more complex, especially when the house or property was transformed in parking spots, are shelters for other refugees, etc…
Most of the time, it finished by compensation, selling of property, or exchange of properties…
Sometimes it turns ugly… Refugees coming back home then trailed for War-crimes but local court, attacks by neighbours during the night with full knowledge of the police, pure erasing from the local town hall and property office…
Ok, have to go to work, to be continued…