Traveling to Palestine with my father in 2007 was a significant moment for my siblings and me. It had been forty years since he had left as a refugee, and his emotions were mixed. He had fond memories of his home in Hebron, but the thought of seeing it altered was tormenting.
Like many Palestinian refugees, my father had lost his identity and right of return when he fled in 1967. I, too, was born stateless due to outdated citizenship laws. Despite the hurdles, my father finally agreed to revisit Palestine with us, understanding the importance of the journey for our family.
Our trip to Jerusalem from Jenin highlighted the complex reality of Palestinian identity and the limitations imposed on movement within the region. The numerous Israeli barriers and restrictions make even short distances between cities like Jerusalem and Jenin seem insurmountable for Palestinians.
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Al Khalil checkpoint in Hebron, 2015. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Status and control
The Palestinian Authority’s passport symbolizes Palestinian nationality but lacks the power to control movement. Israeli control over the Palestinian population registry and ID cards dictates residency and mobility. The ‘colour’ divide between green and blue IDs further restricts Palestinians’ lives.
The journey of Palestinians between territories has been fraught with restrictions and permits, highlighting the unequal distribution of rights under Israeli occupation. The barriers imposed limit access to basic necessities and fragment the West Bank.
Statelessness reproduced
Palestinians risk statelessness when leaving occupied territories, facing challenges with access to education, healthcare, and employment. The lack of a right to a permanent solution perpetuates the cycle of statelessness across generations.
UNRWA’s role in supporting Palestinian refugees, while essential, also perpetuates dependency on humanitarian aid. Closing UNRWA could provoke a change in status for Palestinians, demanding a lasting resolution to their plight.
The UNWRA paradox
The situation in Rafah, Gaza, reflects the challenges faced by Palestinian refugees and the limitations imposed on their movement and access to humanitarian aid. The closure of UNRWA could prompt a fundamental shift in the status and rights of Palestinian refugees.
Initiating legal action against Israel to reclaim ancestral land is a symbolic gesture towards achieving justice for Palestinian refugees. It represents a longing for closure and transformation for future generations.
The journey to justice for Palestinian refugees is a long and arduous one, marked by personal sacrifices and collective resilience. It is a quest for peace and dignity in a land marred by conflict and displacement.