History
What is the Palestinian right of return?
EXPLAINED FROM SOURCES
The short answer
Millions of Palestinians are refugees or descendants of refugees whose families were displaced during the creation of Israel and the wars surrounding it. During the 1948 war, around 700,000–800,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes. Most were not subsequently allowed to return.
The fuller explanation
Millions of Palestinians are refugees or descendants of refugees whose families were displaced during the creation of Israel and the wars surrounding it.
During the 1948 war, around 700,000–800,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes. Most were not subsequently allowed to return.
The right of return is the Palestinian claim that these refugees and their families have a right to return to the places they came from, or receive compensation where appropriate.
UN General Assembly Resolution 194, passed in 1948, said refugees wishing to return to their homes and live peacefully should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, with compensation provided in relevant cases. The UN has repeatedly reaffirmed Palestinian refugee rights.
Israel strongly opposes a large-scale return of Palestinian refugees, partly because it could change Israel’s Jewish demographic majority.
The issue therefore remains one of the biggest unresolved parts of the conflict.