Geographical background in Palestine:

·         The great majority of people living in Palestine were the Arabs.

·         The Jews claimed that Palestine was their homeland due to references to it within the Bible.

·         The Jews declared the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, replacing what was the country of Palestine.

·         Many Arabs were forced to flee from Israel, as war had broken out between the Jews and the neighbouring Arabs.

·         Many of the refugees have settled in places such as Jordan, West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and the number of refugees are as follows:

• Estimates vary of the number of Palestinians refugees displaced from within what became the borders of Israel in 1948. In 1949, the United Nations Conciliation Commission put the number at 726,000; the newly established United Nations Relief and Works Agency subsequently put the number at 957,000 in 1950.

• In the West Bank and Gaza, refugees are stateless and under a combination of limited Palestinian Authority administration and Israeli military occupation. A sharp decline in economic conditions in the occupied territories, due to political violence and especially Israeli-imposed mobility restrictions, has brought with it a dramatic increase in unemployment and poverty rates.

• In Jordan, most Palestinians are full citizens, and enjoy a standard of living generally equivalent to other Jordanians. Fewer than one in eight Palestinian refugees in Jordan lives in a camp, and most camps have effectively become urban neighbourhoods.

• In Syria, Palestinian refugees are non-citizens, but are provided with full access to employment and social services. Their condition is generally similar to others in the country.

• Conversely, stateless Palestinians in Lebanon face numerous employment restrictions and are barred from owning property. Therefore, they generally live in adverse circumstances, often in poor and overcrowded refugee camps. Because of this, many have left the country, and the real number of refugees in Lebanon is likely much lower, probably under 200,000.

Impact on Lebanon:

• There are 17 refugee camps, all of which are over crowded

• There has been an outbreak of civil war between the Muslims and the Christians

• Several wars involving the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) and Israel have been fought in the Lebanon

• The Lebanon already struggles to provide for its own citizens and cannot supply the refugees with their need such as clothing and medical supplies.

Impact on Israel:

• Frequent bombings and attacks occur in border regions.

• Jobs have become available for the Jews in Israel.

• Wars with the Lebanon have cost great amounts of lives and money.

• Fewer Palestinian Arabs mean there is more land for the Jews to Settle.

• There is hostility and not much trust between Israel and the Arab neighbours – a growing unrest.

• There is only a single religion in the country, which makes it easier to establish schools and synagogues.

• It is almost a totally Jew state, which means greater social cohesion is possible.

Impact upon the Refugees:

• They have lost their homeland.

• They have lost their rights and have no input as to what will go on in their future

• Diseases are easily cause and passed on in such cramped and unhygienic living conditions.

• They are, however, free from the hostility and discrimination found within Israel.

• They suffer poor living conditions, with little money, clothing, food, makeshift shelters or other services.