0:00:00.000,0:00:08.300 In addition to the topics discussed in our first two videos… the subject of refugees is one of the core issues for understanding the Israel-Palestinian conflict. 0:00:08.300,0:00:10.000 Who are the refugees? 0:00:10.000,0:00:13.600 Why, more than 60 years later, is this still an issue? 0:00:13.600,0:00:27.000 Let’s look at the facts… 0:00:27.000,0:00:28.000 So… how did it all begin? 0:00:28.000,0:00:38.000 In May 1948, the local Arab population was joined by 7 Arab countries in a collective attempt to destroy the newly re-established Jewish state. 0:00:38.000,0:00:50.400 Encouraged by Arab leaders, who promised they would return as victors, and later on, as a result of their failed war efforts… an estimated 500,000 Arabs fled to neighboring Arab territories. 0:00:50.400,0:00:53.000 But is this the full picture? 0:00:53.000,0:00:57.000 I'd like you to take a look at the refugees in these photos. 0:00:57.000,0:01:02.000 Many people assume they are Arab refugees… fleeing Israel. 0:01:02.000,0:01:08.000 But in fact, they are innocent Jewish refugees… forced out of Arab countries! 0:01:08.000,0:01:11.000 THIS map tells the FULL story: 0:01:11.000,0:01:15.000 There were FAR more Jewish refugees than Arab refugees. 0:01:15.000,0:01:24.000 Over 850,000 Jews, from ancient Jewish communities predating Islam and the Arab occupation of the Middle East, were forced out of their homes. 0:01:24.000,0:01:31.000 Jews were stripped of their citizenship in many countries and their property was confiscated. 0:01:31.000,0:01:43.000 In contrast, 160,000 Arabs ACCEPTED Israel's offer TO REMAIN, and today there are more than one million Israeli-Arab citizens with full equal-rights, living in Israel. 0:01:43.000,0:01:45.200 Now here's a question: 0:01:45.200,0:01:49.000 Have you heard of any Jewish refugee camps? 0:01:49.000,0:01:50.000 … I didn't think so. 0:01:50.000,0:01:56.000 The Jewish refugees were immediately welcomed and absorbed by Israel or by other nations. 0:01:56.000,0:02:06.000 Then why, after more than 60 years, are the Arab-Palestinian- refugees still NOT welcomed and absorbed among their own brethren? 0:02:06.000,0:02:11.000 And how could their numbers have grown from 500,000 to 4.7 million? 0:02:11.000,0:02:15.000 The sad reality is that the Arab refugees never had a chance. 0:02:15.000,0:02:21.500 Attempts at resettlement were blocked by a variety of discriminatory laws enacted in Arab countries such as: 0:02:21.500,0:02:25.000 A ban on receiving citizenship –with the exception of Jordan 0:02:25.000,0:02:28.900 blocking them FROM ENTERING MANY professions 0:02:28.900,0:02:29.800 Restrictions on owning land 0:02:29.800,0:02:32.000 Restrictions on movement 0:02:32.000,0:02:36.000 and a Denial of education and health services. 0:02:36.000,0:02:42.100 Sir Alexander Galloway, a former director of the UN refugee agency in Jordan, gave the reason for this discrimination: 0:02:42.100,0:02:52.000 quote: "…the Arab nations do not want to solve the Arab refugee problem. They want to keep it as an open sore… as a weapon against Israel." 0:02:52.000,0:03:03.500 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser explained the effect of this "weapon" aimed at overwhelming Israel demographically -with generations of refugees cultivated to hate: 0:03:03.500,0:03:09.000 quote: “If the refugees return to Israel, Israel will cease to exist.” 0:03:09.000,0:03:14.000 And what role did the United Nations play? Sadly, they were less than helpful… 0:03:14.000,0:03:20.000 While all refugees in the world are assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, 0:03:20.000,0:03:26.000 …a separate agency –UNRWA- was established specifically for the Palestinians. 0:03:26.000,0:03:33.000 Why can't the Palestinian refugees share an agency with the refugees of Bosnia, Congo or Darfur? To name a few… 0:03:33.000,0:03:46.000 The answer is, because while the United Nation's central refugee agency- helps refugees resettle, The United Nation's Palestinian refugee agency helps perpetuate their status by applying unique criteria. 0:03:46.000,0:03:47.000 For example: 0:03:47.000,0:03:55.000 Refugees lose their status after receiving citizenship from a recognized country –Palestinian refugees do not. 0:03:55.000,0:04:01.000 Refugees cannot transmit their status from generation to generation –Palestinian refugees can. 0:04:01.000,0:04:10.000 Refugees are encouraged to resettle in other countries or integrate in their host countries –UNRWA, avoids such policies 0:04:10.000,0:04:21.000 The United Nations spends on a single Palestinian refugee almost 3 times more than on a non-Palestinian refugee, and employs over 30 times the staff. 0:04:21.000,0:04:22.000 The bottom line is: 0:04:22.000,0:04:34.000 Throughout the 20th century the UN found durable solutions for tens of millions of refugees, while the Palestinian refugee agency has found… well… none. 0:04:34.000,0:04:36.000 Some people may suggest this is hypocrisy… 0:04:36.000,0:04:38.700 Let me share something personal… 0:04:38.700,0:04:47.000 My father's family was forced out of Algeria…they, and another 600,000 Jews from Arab states, resettled in Israel. 0:04:47.000,0:04:55.800 History has proven that resettlement and integration helped tens of millions of refugees, during the 20th century, reclaim their lives. 0:04:55.800,0:05:09.000 However…the Palestinian refugees are trapped between Arab leaders unwilling to accept their brothers and UN agencies who do not apply equal and universal principals to all refugees. 0:05:09.000,9:59:59.000 Is this just?