The Unresolved Palestinian Refugee Crisis: A Historical Overview

The Nakba: A Catastrophe Remembered

The forced expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland in 1948 has led to the longest-standing refugee crisis in recent history. Each year, on the 15th of May, Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or "catastrophe" in English. This event marked the forced displacement of approximately 750,000 Palestinians by Zionist militias, paving the way for the establishment of Israel. This historical event has significantly influenced the political landscape in Israel and Palestine, with Palestinians asserting that the effects of the Nakba persist in the form of warfare, occupation, sieges, home demolitions, land confiscations, and more.

The Nakba in Five Graphics

The Middle East Eye provides a visual breakdown of the Nakba. The origins of the Nakba can be traced back to 1917 with the Balfour Declaration, in which Britain promised Zionist leaders to aid in establishing a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Following the capture of Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War One (1914-18), Britain administered Palestine from 1923 to 1948 under a "mandate" from the League of Nations.

The Role of British Rule

During the 25 years of British rule, Palestinians faced repeated suppression while European Jewish immigration thrived and Zionist groups received training and arms. As Britain decided to end its mandate over Palestine in 1947 and the United Nations failed to implement an alternative administration, Zionist forces initiated a systematic campaign of forced expulsion against Palestinians.

The Aftermath of the War

By the end of the war, Zionist forces had killed 13,000 Palestinians, destroyed and depopulated around 530 villages and towns, committed a minimum of 30 massacres, and expelled 750,000 people. Approximately 150,000 Palestinians remained within the boundaries of the newly formed state of Israel, many of whom were internally displaced. The descendants of those expelled in 1948, along with the original refugees, amount to 5.8 million today, residing primarily in neighboring Arab countries.

The Ongoing Refugee Crisis

Israel has consistently denied Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homeland, resulting in the longest unresolved refugee crisis in modern history.

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This article provides a historical overview of the Palestinian refugee crisis, which remains unresolved to this day. What are your thoughts on this complex and enduring issue? Share this article with your friends and engage in a meaningful discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.