Idea of Relocating Palestinians A Desperate Attempt to Sideline Issue of Palestine: Analyst

IQNA – An Iraqi lawyer and rights activist said the idea of displacing Palestinians, which has been raised by the US president, is a desperate attempt to push the issue of Palestine into oblivion.

Some believe that the displacement of Palestinians could be the ultimate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but they overlook the fact that the Palestinian issue is not just about refugees, Anwar Doud al-Khafaji wrote in an article for IQNA.

“It is about a people with a historical land and legitimate rights,” she said.

Following are excerpts from her article:

The discussion about creating an “alternative homeland” for Palestinians occasionally makes headlines, with some political groups presenting it as a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

However, this proposal is widely rejected by Palestinians and the Arab world because it is seen as a direct threat to Palestinian national rights. Raising such a topic prompts questions about its true objectives and whether it might lead to the erasure of Palestinian identity.

Some of the reasons why this issue occasionally comes up include the following:

Israel’s expansionist policies

Some Israeli groups seek to impose a new situation in Palestine by expanding illegal settlements and forcing Palestinians out of their lands.  

Political crises in region

With the escalation of crises in the Arab world, some international powers try to exploit the situation and impose solutions that ignore Palestinians’ rights.

Attempts to end the issue of Palestine

Some believe that the displacement of Palestinians could be the ultimate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but they overlook the fact that the Palestinian issue is not just about refugees, it is about a people with a historical land and legitimate rights.

Support from some international powers

Some major powers play a role in proposing these ideas under the pretext of providing practical solutions but they ignore the legal and historical rights of Palestinians.

Now the question is whether Palestinians’ displacement could eradicate Palestine’s identity.

The Palestinian identity is deeply rooted in the history, culture, and struggles of the Palestinian people, and it is unlikely that displacement will erase it, for the following reasons:

Commitment to National Identity: Despite all efforts to displace them, Palestinians have preserved their identity through culture, history, education, and political struggle.

Historical Experience: Since the Nakba in 1948, despite displacement, no effort to erase Palestinian identity has succeeded. Rather, it has strengthened Palestinians’ commitment to their rights.

Arab and International Support: There is widespread opposition to such plans, both from Arab countries and the international community, making their implementation difficult.

International Law and United Nations Resolutions: The United Nations recognizes the right of return for Palestinians, rendering any plan for their relocation illegal.

The talk of an “alternative land” is merely a desperate attempt to end the Palestinian issue, but it will not succeed in erasing the Palestinian national identity. Over the past few decades, the Palestinian people have demonstrated their ability to stand firm and hold onto their land, despite all challenges. Any solution to the Palestinian conflict must be based on recognizing the rights of Palestinians, rather than attempting to displace them and erase their identity.

4266624