The repatriation of Palestinians is a highly topical issue, and a critical component of any future peace process for Israel/Palestine. Until now, the mechanics of repatriation have not been dealt with in detail. This book explores the notion that the Palestinian refugee case is exceptional through the comparative study of refugee repatriation, and asks: To what extent can the Palestinian case be said to be unique? Where are the divergences, the overlaps and points of similarity with other refugee situations? What lessons can be drawn from these comparisons? How can these lessons inform refugee organizations, the donor community and policy makers? The expert contributors examine the contextual and methodological field, reviewing the trends in forced migration and refugee studies as well as studying the historical and political background of UNHCR and the negotiations around the Palestinian refugee issue. Taking a comparative approach, the book incorporates case studies of specific refugee situations from around the world, revealing key issues in the formulation of repatriation programmes and highlighting lessons to be learnt.

The Palestinian conflict has produced one of the most tragic refugee crises since World War II, with the number of refugees caused by the violence associated with the creation of the State of Israel numbering around 11 million in 2011. The much lauded first edition, in 1998, of The Status of Palestinian Refugees in International Law was the first book to comprehensively analyse the legal aspects of the Palestinian refugee crisis, yet the last two decades have seen multiple developments. New waves of conflict and displacement have affected Palestinian refugees in the Middle East, and there has been Israeli encroachment on Palestinian territory. Hamas has grown, and a schism has formed within the first Palestinian government. The so-called "Arab Spring" has impacted the life, fate, and legal status of thousands of Palestinian refugees. In international legal jurisprudence, change has been similarly rapid. In 2004, the International Court of Justice delivered a crucial advisory opinion on the Separation Wall, authoritatively elucidating the international legal framework applicable to the Israeli occupation. Numerous international human rights bodies and UN fact-finding missions have added their analysis to the mix. The possibility of the State of Palestine joining the International Criminal Court has spurred discussion relating to the applicability of international criminal law to Palestinian refugees. Clear, compelling, and authoritative, Lex Takkenberg and Francesca Albanese discuss the status quo both on the ground and in the courts, and pose future scenarios to come.

After sketching the historical background and reviewing conflicting estimates of the amount of property involved, the volume investigates U.S. and UN settlement proposals developed--behind closed doors--in the 1950s and '60s, and explains how the peace process from Camp David I to Camp David II and beyond has actually hindered a settlement of property claims.

There has been little progress on the refugee problem because of official Palestinian public positions, other Arab countries' approach to the 'right of return' of all Palestinian refugees, and the contrasting Israeli public policy of not allowing any refugees to return to Israel. Such polar-opposite approaches can never resolve this difficult and longstanding humanitarian problem. By working collectively, the world's leading experts from Arab countries, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, Europe and the United States have developed a chessboard of proposed solutions. The volume in part reflects the polarization that exists on the issue, and in part moves away from the political slogans of both sides, toward concrete proposals for negotiating a comprehensive agreement.

This book, originally published in 1971, traces the history of how the Palestinian refugees became a UN charge and the status and subsequent activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) until 1971. The author begins with the activities of the Conciliation Commission, established by the General Assembly in 1948, and its attempts to solve the refugee problem through repatriation, compensation and resettlement. Professor Buering then examines the constitutional origins of UNRWA and compares these origins with certain other UN bodies constituted under Article 22 of the United Nations Charter in terms of structure, policy determination and mode of operation. In his analysis of how UNRWA adapted to local circumstances, the author analyzes corporate and staff immunity from territorial authority to show UNRWA's struggle to keep clear of the fiscal regulations of individual governments and to maintain effective control over personnel. The study also focuses on the Agency's programs in economic rehabilitation, relief and health, and education. The last chapter deals with UNRWA's budgetary procedures and relations with contributing governments. Appendices include a Proposal, Resolution and Convention relating to the Agency and its activities.

The Palestinian refugee issue remains a central component of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This book explores the demographic and developmental challenges which the return of refugees to a future Palestinian state would generate.