1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,300 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. 2 00:00:08,300 --> 00:00:10,000 Who are the refugees? 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:13,600 Why, more than 60 years later, is this still an issue? 4 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:27,000 Let’s look at the facts… 5 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,000 So… how did it all begin? 6 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:38,000 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. 7 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:50,400 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. 8 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,000 But is this the full picture? 9 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:57,000 I'd like you to take a look at the refugees in these photos. 10 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:02,000 Many people assume they are Arab refugees… fleeing Israel. 11 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:08,000 But in fact, they are innocent Jewish refugees… forced out of Arab countries! 12 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,000 THIS map tells the FULL story: 13 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:15,000 There were FAR more Jewish refugees than Arab refugees. 14 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:24,000 Over 850,000 Jews, from ancient Jewish communities predating Islam and the Arab occupation of the Middle East, were forced out of their homes. 15 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:31,000 Jews were stripped of their citizenship in many countries and their property was confiscated. 16 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:43,000 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. 17 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,200 Now here's a question: 18 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,000 Have you heard of any Jewish refugee camps? 19 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:50,000 … I didn't think so. 20 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:56,000 The Jewish refugees were immediately welcomed and absorbed by Israel or by other nations. 21 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:06,000 Then why, after more than 60 years, are the Arab-Palestinian- refugees still NOT welcomed and absorbed among their own brethren? 22 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:11,000 And how could their numbers have grown from 500,000 to 4.7 million? 23 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:15,000 The sad reality is that the Arab refugees never had a chance. 24 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:21,500 Attempts at resettlement were blocked by a variety of discriminatory laws enacted in Arab countries such as: 25 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:25,000 A ban on receiving citizenship –with the exception of Jordan 26 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:28,900 blocking them FROM ENTERING MANY professions 27 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:29,800 Restrictions on owning land 28 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,000 Restrictions on movement 29 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:36,000 and a Denial of education and health services. 30 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:42,100 Sir Alexander Galloway, a former director of the UN refugee agency in Jordan, gave the reason for this discrimination: 31 00:02:42,100 --> 00:02:52,000 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." 32 00:02:52,000 --> 00:03:03,500 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser explained the effect of this "weapon" aimed at overwhelming Israel demographically -with generations of refugees cultivated to hate: 33 00:03:03,500 --> 00:03:09,000 quote: “If the refugees return to Israel, Israel will cease to exist.” 34 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:14,000 And what role did the United Nations play? Sadly, they were less than helpful… 35 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:20,000 While all refugees in the world are assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, 36 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:26,000 …a separate agency –UNRWA- was established specifically for the Palestinians. 37 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:33,000 Why can't the Palestinian refugees share an agency with the refugees of Bosnia, Congo or Darfur? To name a few… 38 00:03:33,000 --> 00:03:46,000 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. 39 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:47,000 For example: 40 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:55,000 Refugees lose their status after receiving citizenship from a recognized country –Palestinian refugees do not. 41 00:03:55,000 --> 00:04:01,000 Refugees cannot transmit their status from generation to generation –Palestinian refugees can. 42 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:10,000 Refugees are encouraged to resettle in other countries or integrate in their host countries –UNRWA, avoids such policies 43 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:21,000 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. 44 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:22,000 The bottom line is: 45 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:34,000 Throughout the 20th century the UN found durable solutions for tens of millions of refugees, while the Palestinian refugee agency has found… well… none. 46 00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:36,000 Some people may suggest this is hypocrisy… 47 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:38,700 Let me share something personal… 48 00:04:38,700 --> 00:04:47,000 My father's family was forced out of Algeria…they, and another 600,000 Jews from Arab states, resettled in Israel. 49 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:55,800 History has proven that resettlement and integration helped tens of millions of refugees, during the 20th century, reclaim their lives. 50 00:04:55,800 --> 00:05:09,000 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. 51 00:05:09,000 --> 99:59:59,999 Is this just?