(JNS) Israel Kasnett - Lebanon has once again reiterated that Palestinian refugees in the country will not be granted citizenship. This reflects a regional approach shared across the Arab world. Most Arab states deny Palestinians citizenship, even after decades of residence and multiple generations born on their soil. Leaving Palestinians stateless was designed to avoid permanent integration and to reinforce the idea that refugees should one day return to Palestine. Jacques Neriah, a Middle East analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, said, "No Palestinian has been given citizenship in any Arab country because this would mean assimilation and de facto recognizing the Zionist entity." This includes Syria, Egypt, and the Gulf States. Jordan stands out as the one exception. Arab governments argue that full integration in host countries would amount to acceptance that Palestinians will never return to their "ancestral lands." Keeping them stateless preserves both their identity and their political utility.
2025-09-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive