(Winnipeg Jewish Review) David Matas - Palestinian refugees are unlike any others. Unlike other refugees, their status is hereditary. They also maintain their refugee status even if they hold nationality in another state. There are an estimated two million Palestinians who have refugee status with UNRWA despite having Jordanian nationality. Two million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza are also locally integrated. Palestinian refugees need only to have been living in British Mandate Palestine for two years, between June 1946 and May 1948, to be eligible for UNRWA refugee status. They did not have to have nationality or even permanent residence in British Mandate Palestine to be considered UNRWA refugees. Persons claiming refugee status who are not Palestinian are excluded from refugee protection if they have the substantive rights of nationality of the country in which they have taken up residence, even if they are not nationals. The writer is legal counsel to Justice for Jews from Arab Countries.
2012-11-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive