(Arab News-Saudi Arabia) Ray Hanania - For years, Palestinian refugees have been fed endless empty promises from the Arab countries that they will someday return. It's the main reason why most have lived and died in refugee camps rather than relocate and assimilate into the Arab world. The problem has also created a movement called "Al-Awda," which is run by uncompromising ideologues and extremists who use the right of return as a political bludgeon to prevent Palestinian moderates from compromise with Israel. The reality of the world today is not the reality of 1947; 55 years later, Palestinians have no choice but to accept a compromise. It is the height of irresponsibility for any Arab group to tell the refugees that they should sit tight because one day they will return to the hills and valleys of 1947 Palestine. It is never going to happen.
2005-04-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive