The plight of Palestinian refugees and their demand for a right of return to Palestine is key to the elusive peace in the Middle East. It is a struggle that has existed since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which Palestinians refer to as the nakba, Catastrophe.
Some 395,000 Palestinians are stranded as refugees in Lebanon, where they do not qualify for citizenship -- even after five decades. As foreigners, they are barred from about 70 professions -- mainly white-collar jobs and civil service positions -- and do not qualify for state benefits. In all, the government denies them a chance to build a better life. The discrimination does not end there. In 2001, Palestinian refugees lost the right to own real estate in Lebanon. They are barred from inheriting or registering any property they had already bought, or were in the process of acquiring, at the time the law was passed. Although the law does not specifically name the Palestinians, it refers to those who are not bearers of nationality of a recognized state.The government is mindful of the Palestinians' role in the country's 1975-1990 civil war, and considers the mainly Sunni people a threat to the country's sectarian balance.Officially, Lebanons position is that a majority of the public believes the refugees should be allowed to return to land they fled from or abandoned in 1948 with Israel's creation. The government maintains only Israel and the international community can solve the problem.
Alan Soon
Dec. 2004
Some 395,000 Palestinians are stranded as refugees in Lebanon, where they do not qualify for citizenship -- even after five decades. As foreigners, they are barred from about 70 professions -- mainly white-collar jobs and civil service positions -- and do not qualify for state benefits. In all, the government denies them a chance to build a better life. The discrimination does not end there. In 2001, Palestinian refugees lost the right to own real estate in Lebanon. They are barred from inheriting or registering any property they had already bought, or were in the process of acquiring, at the time the law was passed. Although the law does not specifically name the Palestinians, it refers to those who are not bearers of nationality of a recognized state.The government is mindful of the Palestinians' role in the country's 1975-1990 civil war, and considers the mainly Sunni people a threat to the country's sectarian balance.Officially, Lebanons position is that a majority of the public believes the refugees should be allowed to return to land they fled from or abandoned in 1948 with Israel's creation. The government maintains only Israel and the international community can solve the problem.
Alan Soon
Dec. 2004
Decals carrying the images of Beirut-born Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah take center stage on a taxi's windshield.Hezbollah, meaning "Party of God," was established in 1982 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Financed by Iran, it is considered by the Arab and Muslim world and some EU countries as a legitimate Shia political party in Lebanon. The group holds 12 seats in the 128-seat Lebanese parliament.However, Israel and the United States consider the Hezbollah an Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organization. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage calls Hezbollah the "A-team" of terrorism and Al Qaeda the "B-team."
Decals carrying the images of Beirut-born Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah take center stage on a taxi's windshield.Hezbollah, meaning "Party of God," was established in 1982 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Financed by Iran, it is considered by the Arab and Muslim world and some EU countries as a legitimate Shia political party in Lebanon. The group holds 12 seats in the 128-seat Lebanese parliament.However, Israel and the United States consider the Hezbollah an Islamic fundamentalist terrorist organization. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage calls Hezbollah the "A-team" of terrorism and Al Qaeda the "B-team."
Copyright © 2005 Alan Soon. No images on this website may be used without written permission of the photographer.
