WEBVTT 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. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:10.000 Who are the refugees? 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:13.600 Why, more than 60 years later, is this still an issue? 00:00:13.600 --> 00:00:27.000 Let’s look at the facts… 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:28.000 So… how did it all begin? 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. 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. 00:00:50.400 --> 00:00:53.000 But is this the full picture? 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.000 I'd like you to take a look at the refugees in these photos. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Many people assume they are Arab refugees… fleeing Israel. 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.000 But in fact, they are innocent Jewish refugees… forced out of Arab countries! 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:11.000 THIS map tells the FULL story: 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:15.000 There were FAR more Jewish refugees than Arab refugees. 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. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:31.000 Jews were stripped of their citizenship in many countries and their property was confiscated. 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. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:45.200 Now here's a question: 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:49.000 Have you heard of any Jewish refugee camps? 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.000 … I didn't think so. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:56.000 The Jewish refugees were immediately welcomed and absorbed by Israel or by other nations. 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? 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:11.000 And how could their numbers have grown from 500,000 to 4.7 million? 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:15.000 The sad reality is that the Arab refugees never had a chance. 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: 00:02:21.500 --> 00:02:25.000 A ban on receiving citizenship –with the exception of Jordan 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.900 blocking them FROM ENTERING MANY professions 00:02:28.900 --> 00:02:29.800 Restrictions on owning land 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:32.000 Restrictions on movement 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:36.000 and a Denial of education and health services. 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: 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." 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: 00:03:03.500 --> 00:03:09.000 quote: “If the refugees return to Israel, Israel will cease to exist.” 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:14.000 And what role did the United Nations play? Sadly, they were less than helpful… 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, 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:26.000 …a separate agency –UNRWA- was established specifically for the Palestinians. 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… 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. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:47.000 For example: 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:55.000 Refugees lose their status after receiving citizenship from a recognized country –Palestinian refugees do not. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:01.000 Refugees cannot transmit their status from generation to generation –Palestinian refugees can. 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 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. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:22.000 The bottom line is: 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. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:36.000 Some people may suggest this is hypocrisy… 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:38.700 Let me share something personal… 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. 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. 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. 00:05:09.000 --> 99:59:59.999 Is this just?