Palestinian Right of Return

Guide Note

The Palestinian right of return is the belief that Palestinian Refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab Israeli War and their descendants have the right to return to their former homes, now part of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The UNRWA, a special United Nations organization that monitors the group, estimates the Palestinian refugee population is over 4 million people. Critics of the Right of return argue that such a large influx of people would essentially dissolve the state of Israel upon their return. Supporters point out that the right it is protected by international law as a basic and inalienable right of all people. The Palestinian National Authority has called on all Palestinian refugees to return to their homes on the 60th anniversary of Israel, May 14, 2008.

Fast Facts

1. Refers primarily to refugees of the 1948 Arab Israeli War
2. UNRWA definition also includes the descendants of the original Palestinian Refugees
3. Right of Return also commonly extended to refugees of the Six Day War
4. United Nations resolution 3236 declared the Right of Return an "inalienable right"
5. According to UNRWA, there are more than 4 million Palestinian refugees
6. The Palestinian National Authority has called on all Palestinian Refugees to return to their homes on May 14, 2008