The Palestinian right of return : the unfulfilled human right

Abstract

This article examines in a detailed manner how the refugee problem was historically produced and how the Right of Return figures in International law, especially human rights and humanitarian law. The Right of Return enjoys the broad support of Palestinian and international civil society, particularly human rights NGO's. The obstacles to the exercise of this right are evaluated and it is shown how it would be possible to exercise this right while causing minimal disruption to the Israeli population. The concept of the 'Jewish character' of the Israeli state is assessed and considered untenable. The article concludes that the best and only solution to the demographic problem Palestinians will pose to the Israeli state must be the implementation of International law as regards the Right to Return.