| 242 also affirms the necessity for achieving a just settlement of the refugee problem, but makes no reference to the refugees place of origin and does not refer to any specific means by which the refugee problem may be resolved such as a right of return. The problem was originally created as a result of 1948 conflict which affected both Arabs and Jews. Palestinian refugees have been left since to the mercies of their host countries and continue to be reliant upon UN and other international aid. Apart from Jordan, neither Lebanon nor Syria, have offered Palestinian refugees the right to become citizens. Thus, in searching for a just settlement of the refugees problems, the responsibility of the Arab states who invaded Palestine in 1948 must be taken into account, not only for the prolongation of the Arab refugees plight, but also for the loss of life and property of those 850000 Jewish refugees expelled from Arab and Muslim countries, of which 600000 found shelter in Israel. |
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