My Views on News

The war of 1948 created Israel and destroyed Palestinian Arab society. Argument over that destruction has never ceased.

The 1948 war had two main phases. First, it was mainly a civil war between irregular Arab and Jewish forces within Mandatory Palestine. Then it became an international conflict in which troops from five Arab states intervened. Israel was decisively victorious in both phases. During and after the conflict, most Arab inhabitants of the new Israeli state left their homes.

All those persons who were prevented from returning their homes after November 29, 1947 are called 'Palestinian Refugees'.

There are about 4.3 million Palestinian refugees. They live in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Almost half of them are registered with UNRWA. They have long been suffering from severe and inhuman restrictions involving residency rights, freedom of movement and employment, as well as property ownership rights.

With the exception of Jordan and Syria, Palestinian refugees in the Arab world are subject to the same strict employment laws applicable to foreigners.

The vast majority of the Palestinians in the Arab world are treated as foreigners and are denied access to government-supplied services such as education, health and social benefits. Syria is the only Arab state where Palestinians enjoy freedom of access to government services.

In addition, the Arab governments impose restrictions on Palestinian property ownership.

Arabs support Palestinian refugees' right of return to their homes as part of a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

While Israel calls for the settlement of Palestinian refugees in a future Palestinian state.

Israel's concern are justified. Any fools can see that return of 4.3 millions Palestinians will turn Jews into minority.

US Secretary of state cautions against taking Arab peace initiative as is, says Israel's ideas must also be considered

Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Zalman Shoval has denounced the much-touted Saudi peace plan as an attempt to get Israel to commit suicide.

Shoval noted that the demands on Israel contained in the Saudi plan are actually presented as preconditions for peace, effectively making the initiative a "recipe for the destruction of Israel" that is not up for negotiation.

Mr. Olmert said in a sweeping, policy-setting speech during a memorial for Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. He said :

"The past cannot be changed, and the victims of the conflict, from both sides of the border, cannot be returned. Dictates are futile and mutual accusations are nothing but useless word games.

All we can do today is prevent further tragedies and bequeath to the younger generation a bright horizon and hope for a new life. Let us convert animosity and the 'honing of our swords' to mutual recognition, respect and direct dialogue."

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