The Idea of an Essay, Volume 2

174 been of resettling refugees. Also, the assertion that Israelis’ have “no responsibility whatsoever toward the descendants of the 1948 Palestinian refugees and no obligation to aid them other than out of purely humanitarian concerns” (Bartal) based on the population exchange that occurred between Israel and Arab states weakens the Palestinian claim to a right of return. This evidence should lead to the evaluation of resettlement as a valid and acceptable option at least equal to the right of return in legality. Since 1948, many world leaders and average citizens have debated what to do about the Palestinian refugees, but this problem is not solvable by words alone. Actions are necessary. A timely solution would relieve Palestinian refugees of many of the woes and abuses that come from being a stateless people and eliminate growing obstacles to a solution before they become insurmountable. World leaders need to base this solution on the acceptance of Israel’s Jewish-state and Arab nations’ responsibility for the Palestinians in their countries. If these positions are accepted, resettlement should be the clear solution; furthermore, resettlement is realistic and has legal and historical backing. This controversial situation affects real people and will continue to have negative consequences until world leaders rise to the challenge and resettle and integrate the Palestinians. Works Cited Bartal, Shaul. “The Palestinian Refugee Problem Resolved.” Middle East Quarterly 20.4 (2013): 29-40. Sociological Collection. Web. 5 Mar. 2014. El-Abed, Oroub. “The Palestinians in Egypt: Identity, Basic Rights and Host State Policies.” Refugee Survey Quarterly 28.2/3 (2009): 531-549. Political Science Complete.Web. 13Mar. 2014. Holzer, Elizabeth. “What Happens To Law in a Refugee Camp?.” Law & Society Review 47.4 (2013): 837-872. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 9 Feb. 2014. Ibrahim, Jennifer. “The Discrimination against Palestinian Refugees Living In Lebanon.” Palestine-Israel Journal of Politics, Economics & Culture 15.1/2 (2008): 83-90. Business Source Complete. Web. 9 Feb. 2014.