[van-announce] Emails sent under my name: "Right to a Home and a Homeland Global Campaign"

[Reem Alnuweiri]

Dear All
There has been emails sent under my name and email out, and this one was one
of them.  Clearly, lately there has been Zionist hackers sending out emails
by active Palestinians.

Please be ware of any tricky emails, since some of them might look good and
supportive of Palestinians, however carrying out misleading political stands
or views.

In solidarity
Reem

-----Original Message-----
From: reem321 at shaw.ca <reem321 at shaw.ca>
To: reem321 at shaw.ca <reem321 at shaw.ca>
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2002 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: Right to a Home and a Homeland Global Campaign


>
>Palestinian Refugees: The "Third Rail" of Middle Eastern Politics
>=================================================================
>
>Today, 3.6 million Palestinians living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and
>the Palestinian Authority-administered West Bank and Gaza Strip
>receive education, health care, and relief assistance from the United
>Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). It was particularly over
>this issue that Yasser Arafat rejected the Taba Proposal, with his
>asserting that all Palestinian "refugees" everywhere had an
>absolute "right to return" to Israel proper. Israel has long
>rejected such a notion and the Taba Proposal offered a compromise in
>which all such persons could have had options to relocate to the new
>Palestinian state that was proposed, remain in their current host
>countries, or resettle in additional countries. Both the latter
>conditions would have required approval of the countries in
>question. In addition, a $30 billion U.S. fund for all refugees
>would have been established.
>
>The Palestinian Position:
>------------------------
>
>The Palestinian leadership argues that all such refugees have an
>absolute "right to return" to Israel proper due to its belief that
>these refugees were driven out of Israel during the 1948 War and
>other wars. They argue that the refugees and all their descendants
>should be able to return back to Israel proper.
>
>The Israeli Position:
>--------------------
>
>Israel rejects this principle on two major grounds. First, it argues
>that Israel was not responsible for the refugees' flight.
>Rather, "The Palestinians left their homes in 1947-48 for a variety
>of reasons. Thousands of wealthy Arabs left in anticipation of the
>war, thousands more responded to Arab leaders' calls to get out of
>the way of the advancing armies, a handful were expelled, but most
>simply fled to avoid being caught in the cross fire of a battle."
>Second, Israel claims that it an "absolute right to return" would
>materially alter the demographic composition of Israel and undercut
>its fundamental basis of existence.
>
>The United Nations' Position:
>----------------------------
>
>On December 11, 1948, the United Nations adopted General Assembly
>Resolution 194 that contained among other provisions, one that stated
>that the General Assembly "Resolves that the refugees wishing to
>return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours should
>be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that
>compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to
>return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles
>of international law or in equity, should be made good by the
>Governments or authorities responsible." Palestinian and Arab
>leaders have seized upon this Resolution to proclaime an
>absolute "right of return" to Israel proper for all Palestinians
>living outside of the historic Palestine region.
>
>On 22 November 1974, the UN adopted General Assembly Resolution 3236
>toward that end. It declared that the UN General
>Assembly "Reaffirms...the inalienable right of the Palestinians to
>return to their homes and property from which they have been
>displaced and uprooted, and calls for their return."
>
>Who are the "refugees" in question?
>----------------------------------
>
>During the 1948 War, 750,000 Palestinians Palestinians either fled or
>were expelled by Israel, according to United Nations data. However,
>a look back at the events finds some differences that are notable.
>
>With respect to refugees, a significant number (between 28.6%-30.7%
>of the total) were actually "created" prior to the 1948 War and
>establishment of Israel. This distinction is important, because
>Israel was not established until May 14, 1948 and this means that
>this portion could not properly be blamed on the state of Israel. In
>fact, prior to and after Israel's creation, the region of Palestine
>was wracked by significant civil strife, violence, and terrorism
>between Arabs and Jewish people. The turmoil led to a very
>inhospitable environment for all persons living there and many left,
>particularly as the fighting was intensifying. The fact that
>evacuations were permitted in at least one case prior to battle
>suggests that locals might have been at least advised to leave. In
>addition, the Arab Legion was planning well before the establishment
>of Israel to invade the region.
>
>Of the total number of refugees, some fled and others were expelled.
>In addition, a somewhat lower number than 750,000 was recognized as
>qualifying for refugee status. The UN's Clapp Mission found 652,000
>Arab refugees eligible for assistance and also reported 348,000 other
>persons did not qualify because they were bona fide residents of the
>Arab states. Moreover, there were Jewish refugees, as well.
>
>Here are some key developments affecting the region (dates correspond
>to editions of The New York Times):
>
>November 29, 1947: Grand Mufti Huseini calls on Palestinian Arabs to
>fight setting up Jewish state.
>
>November 30, 1947: UN adopts General Assembly Resolution 181 which
>calls for the creation of an "Arab" and "Jewish" state in the
>Palestine region on November 29, 1947 by a 33-13 vote.
>
>December 16, 1947: Justice for Palestine Committee Chairman Dr. J.
>Ralbag asks UN Security Council to safeguard 800,000 Jewish residents
>living in Arab states.
>
>January 26, 1948: Arab troops enter Palestine from Lebanon,
>Transjordan, Iraq and Syria.
>
>February 16, 1948: Jews attack Arab village of Sasa; Haganah defeat
>Arab attack on Tel Aviv.
>
>February 22, 1948: Moslem Brotherhood Association reports accidental
>explosion at meeting of Arab volunteers recruited to fight Zionism.
>
>February 23, 1948: Ben Yehuda Street, Jerusalem wrecked by explosion;
>33 believed killed, 88 hurt. Arab sources admit deed, hint British
>uniforms were stolen.
>
>March 19, 1948: Units of Trans-jordan Arab Legion assume military
>control over 2 districts; said to be under Arab League orders; U.S.
>urges UN to protect inhabitants against outside pressure.
>
>March 24, 1948: Arabs blow up 30-40 houses in Jerusalem.
>
>April 11, 1948: Arab League Political Committee debates proposal for
>complete occupation of Palestine by Arab Legion under Trans-Jordan
>Emir. Abdullah rule after British withdraw.
>
>April 20, 1948: Haganah takes over Tiberias following evacuation of
>6,000 Arabs.
>
>April 22, 1948: Haifa battle opens; 25,000 Arabs leave.
>
>April 23, 1948: Cairo sources report plan for invasion by 50,000
>Arabs.
>
>April 24, 1948: Abdullah urges Arab world fight Jews; Syrians report
>getting stand-by order for invasion.
>
>April 27, 1948: Abdullah announces he will assume command of Trans-
>Jordan, Lebanese, and Syrian troops and move into Palestine May 1.
>Mufti Husseini tells UN Arabs will set up own state after May 15.
>
>May 4, 1948: Trans-Jordan: invasion seen awaiting Mandate end.
>
>May 4, 1948: About 200,000 Arab and 15,000 Jewish refugees pose
>problem.
>
>May 15, 1948: State of Israel proclaimed on May 14, 1948. State
>adopts Partition Plan borders.
>
>May 16, 1948: Egypt informs Security Council of invasion; charges
>Zionist terror.
>
>June 10, 1948: Israeli President Weizmann invites Arabs to become
>Israeli citizens.
>
>July 4, 1948: Arabs offer counterproposals said to reject Israeli
>sovereignty.
>
>July 10, 1948: Moslem Iman broadcasts call for holy war.
>
>July 12, 1948: Arab leader proposes symbolic Jewish state as
>alternative to Jewish settlement in Palestine.
>
>July 17, 1948: Mufti urges continued war.
>
>Resolving the Refugee Question:
>------------------------------
>
>The Arab states demanded a return of all refugees. Israel suggested
>that the return of the refugees depended on treatment of Jews in Arab
>areas. Later, Israel offered several compromises in which it was
>willing to take back a share of refugees. Arab states rejected all
>compromise offers. However, at times Arab states requested
>compensation for refugees and also land from Israel for resettlement.
>
>July 19, 1948: Arabs accept truce; demand curbs on Jewish migration;
>time limit on truce; return of Arab refugees to Israeli-held areas.
>
>July 21, 1948: Arabs renew demand for refugees return.
>
>July 22, 1948: Israeli Premier Ben Gurion bars immigration curbs;
>says return of Arab refugees depends on treatment of Jews in Arab
>area.
>
>July 24, 1948: International Red Cross puts Arab refugees at 300,000;
>describes plight.
>
>July 25, 1948: Arab refugees demand return.
>
>December 12, 1948: UN passes General Assembly Resolution 194 on
>December 11, 1948.
>
>February 16, 1949: Egypt opposes resettlement in Arab states; backed
>by Iraq and Lebanon at conference with UN Conciliation Comm.
>
>March 5, 1949: H. Zinder reply blames Arab High Command for refugees
>flight.
>
>March 19, 1949: Arab League and Iraq charge Israel forced 479 invalid
>Arabs to flee; protest to UN; Min. Sharet lauds U.S. aid; opposes
>refugees repatriation to Israel; suggests compensation.
>
>March 26, 1949: UN comm. asks Arabs to submit proposals; Israel urges
>resettling refugees in Arab countries.
>
>March 30, 1949: British Under Secretary Henderson urges industrial
>development in Arab states for resettlement; pledges British aid.
>
>April 1, 1949: Great Britain weighs plan to finance resettlement in
>Trans-Jordan; Iraq demands that Israel pay Arabs for loss of homes.
>
>May 1, 1949: W. Eytan urges resettlement on international scale;
>pledges Israeli share; rejects blame for plight.
>
>May 28, 1949: Viscount Samuel says Israel must pay Arabs for
>abandoned lands; opposes Arabs return.
>
>May 29, 1949: U.S. effort to get Arab nations to resettle refugees
>discussed.
>
>June 4, 1949: Israel offers to take back 230,000 refugees if Egypt
>cedes Gaza Strip.
>
>June 21, 1949: Min. Sharet reports Israel willing to repatriate
>families of Arabs now living in Israel; Arab MPs urge repatriation.
>
>July 17, 1949: President Weizmann urges resettlement program by all
>Near East states; pledges Israeli share; cites Arab failure to offer
>underpopulated lands.
>
>July 30, 1949: Israel to accept 100,000 refugees when peace is
>proclaimed; pledges to help resettle others in Arab states.
>
>August 4, 1949: Israel admists willingness to repatriate 100,000;
>will deduct 35,000 already returned.
>
>August 5, 1949: Sharet puts number of refugees outside Israel at
>520,000 not 800,000 reported by the U.S.
>
>August 12, 1949: U.S. maps compromise based on Israeli repatriation
>of 250,000 and U.S. aid in resettling others in Arab states.
>
>September 1, 1949: Arabs demand Israel give land for resettlement.
>
>October 18, 1949: Premier Nuri as-Said proposes exchange of 100,000
>for Iraqi Jews.
>
>December 9, 1949: Israeli offer to repatriate 100,000 refugees; urges
>speed.
>
>Is there an Absolute "Right to Return?"
>---------------------------------------
>
>The language of UN General Assembly Resolution 194 suggests that it
>was of a nature of giving strong advice but not an unconditional
>demand, as it used "should" rather than "must." In the absence of
>clear International Law standards pertaining to refugees, this
>Resolution established the principle of addressing the situation
>pertaining to the 1947-48 refugees.
>
>The Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons
>in Time of War was adopted 12 August 1949 and gained force in 1950.
>Article 44 mandated that refugees who enjoyed no protection of any
>state and Article 45 barred forced transfer of refugees to states in
>which they might face political or religious persecution. No "right
>of return" was created. Article 73 of Protocol 1 (1977) required
>that "Persons who, before the beginning of hostilities, were
>considered as stateless persons or refugees under the relevant
>international instruments...shall be protected persons...in all
>circumstances and without any adverse distinction." Again, no "right
>of return" was provided for. In addition, neither the 1951
>Convention relating to the Status of Refugees nor its 1967 Protocol
>relating to the Status of Refugees created a "right of return."
>
>The actions and proposals of the International Community were also
>revealing. In February 1949, the UN Conciliation Committee called for
>resettlement of Arab refugees on Arab lands. The Arab leaders
>rejected this idea. In March 1949, the UN asked Arab states to submit
>proposals concerning resettlement. In April 1949, Arab leaders were
>demanding compensation for refugees rather than resettlement. In
>August 1949, the U.S. proposed a compromise where Israel would
>readmit 250,000 refugees and the rest would be resettled in Arab
>states. At the end of August 1949, Arabs were demanding that Israel
>grant them some land to resettle refugees indicating that the Arab
>states were close to accepting to resettle the refugees.
>
>All this activity suggests that the softer language was not
>accidental but that the strong preference but not absolute demand
>would be for Israel to accept refugees, with those not accepted by
>Israel being resettled in Arab lands. In addition, the actions of the
>Israel and the Arab states suggested that all sides understood the
>Resolution's nature and that there was no unconditional "right to
>return."
>
>The Plight of Palestinian Refugees in Arab States:
>-------------------------------------------------
>
>The International Community has been largely silent with regard to
>abuses in which Palestinians living in Lebanon--even those born there-
>-are denied basic rights, including the ability to work in violation
>of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Such
>violations of basic rights also exist in other Middle Eastern states
>and have been condemned by Human Rights Watch.
>
>SHAML, the Palestinian Diaspora and Refugee Centre reports:
>
>"Most host Arab states, including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and
>more recently Yemen, issued the Palestinians with special refugee
>Documents (RDs). However, with the rise of the Palestinian national
>movement and the perhaps inevitable confrontation with the host
>countries, commitment to provide secure and permanent residency
>status to the Palestinian refugees waned. Most of the Arab states do
>not now appear to uphold this principle, and many, such as Lebanon
>and the Gulf states, never fully implemented the 1965 Protocol
>[Casablanca Protocol which called upon Arab states and the PLO to
>cooperate on travel, employment, and residency rights for Palestinian
>refugees] in the first place. Others, such as Egypt, did so
>inconsistently...
>
>One of the main obstacles to establishing civil rights of Palestinian
>refugee in host Arab states is the absence of clear and well- defined
>legislation regulating their status. Palestinian affairs are governed
>by ministerial decrees or administrative orders, which allow
>differing interpretations and abuses of power and can easily be
>reversed in response to changing political conditions.
>The dispersal of the Palestinians in 1948 deprived them of the basic
>right to citizenship. Arab states do not grant foreigners full
>residency status, which includes either naturalization or permission
>to remain indefinitely. As for the progeny of foreigners, neither
>prolonged stay nor birth in the country is considered a valid basis
>for claiming residency or nationality...
>
>Very few Palestinians in Syria and Egypt managed to obtain
>citizenship, and those who did were mainly from families who had
>settled there before 1948. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, few
>families were granted nationality as acknowledgment of their long and
>special service to these countries...
>
>In Egypt, for example, even RD holders who were born in Egypt or who
>have lived there most of their lives have no automatic right to stay
>or reenter the country, but must renew their visas every six months
>to three years, depending on the category; an RD holder whose return
>visa has expired during a sojourn abroad will almost certainly be
>refused reentry. Since the late 1970s, a number of 'privileges' until
>then enjoyed by Palestinian RD holders in Egypt were revoked: visas
>are no longer renewed free of charge, and the RD holder, like other
>foreigners, must show proof of having changed money and spent a
>minimum of $180 in hard currency per family per month. Those who do
>not comply risk deportation...
>
>A diplomatic row broke out between Lebanon and Jordan in the early
>1990s when Lebanon started expelling Palestinians to Jordan. New
>restrictions denying Lebanese RD holders entry without special
>permits obtained in advance were imposed during late summer of 1995
>in order to keep out thousands of Palestinians with Lebanese RDs who
>had just been expelled from Libya. Even after that, Lebanon upheld
>the new restrictions: permits usually take months to be issued..."
>
>What to Do about the Refugees:
>-----------------------------
>
>There is little question that their plight is real. The following
>steps would be helpful in alleviating the situation:
>
>1) All descendants of 1947-48 refugees who were born in various Arab
>states should be granted full citizenship, human rights, and equal
>opportunity in work and education.
>
>2) All refugees from all wars should have the opportunity to return
>to a new Palestinian state when it is created. The new Palestinian
>state would be created on land that was considered part of the
>historic region of Palestine.
>
>3) A fund should be established, even in the absence of a peace
>agreement, to compensate refugees from the 1948 War with that being
>deemed via new UN Resolution to satisfy UN General Assembly
>Resolution 194.
>
>4) Israel's offer to accept a number of refugees, probably a share of
>those who survive from the 1948 War could be reaffirmed. The 100,000
>figure that Israel had agreed upon in 1949 should be the figure
>admitted.
>
>In my view, a number of the refugees from the 1948 War who were
>either expelled or left Israel out of fear (not to include those who
>fled prior to the creation of Israel) deserve the chance to return.
>However, political and socioeconomic considerations preclude this
>option for all refugees and their descendents. Therefore,
>application of Israel's original idea of admitting 100,000 should be
>employed toward that end.
>
>Compensation and full citizenship in the states in which they live
>would address that matter. Overall, there will have to be a
>compromise if this thorny issue is to be settled. Without
>flexibility and compromise by all sides, this issue will remain
>unresolved as it has been for more than 50 years.
>