ISSI and MEMO Co-host Webinar on “The Future of Palestinian Refugees

Islamabad - 20 June, 2024 (Adnan Hameed) : The Centre for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Middle East Monitor (MEMO), hosted a significant webinar titled “The Future of Palestinian Refugees” to mark World Refugee Day 2024. The event was moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, and featured a panel of distinguished speakers, including Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI; Dr. Daud Abdullah, Director Middle East Monitor (MEMO); Dr. Salman Abu Sitta, Founder and President Palestine Land Society; Dr. Nader Al-Turk, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the State of Palestine; and Prof. Nur Masalha, Palestinian historian. In his opening remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized the resilience and unwavering spirit of refugees worldwide. He highlighted Pakistan's long-standing role in hosting Afghan refugees since 1979, despite facing economic challenges. Citing UNHCR statistics, Ambassador Mahmood noted that global displacement reached 117.3 million people in 2023, including 1.7 million Palestinians displaced in Gaza due to ongoing conflicts. He described the Palestinian refugee crisis as one of the longest-standing humanitarian issues, rooted in illegal occupation and dehumanizing treatment by Israel. On World Refugee Day, he called for international solidarity with Palestinian refugees and urged the global community to address the root causes of displacement and uphold refugees' fundamental rights. Ms. Amina Khan underscored the impact of Israel’s systematic occupation and oppression since 1948 on the Palestinian refugee crisis. She characterized the situation as genocidal, resulting in further displacement and questioning the right of return for refugees. Despite ongoing atrocities, Palestinians have demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience. Ms. Khan advocated for the rightful return of Palestinians to an independent homeland with Jerusalem as its capital. Dr. Salman Abu Sitta criticized the international community's focus on Israeli hostages while neglecting the rights of Palestinian refugees. He asserted the legal right of refugees to return to their homeland and emphasized the need for a future plan centered on refugees' voices. Dr. Sitta called for increased global support for the Palestinian cause and more efforts from Muslim and Arab countries. Prof. Nur Masalha highlighted the historical context of the Palestinian issue, focusing on the 1948 Nakba and ongoing expulsions. He stressed that Palestinians were forcibly evicted and that international law supports their right of return. Prof. Masalha pointed out that Israel's refusal to allow repatriation undermines both individual rights and collective self-determination. He emphasized that addressing the refugee issue is central to resolving the broader conflict. Dr. Nader Al-Turk discussed the rise in Palestinian refugees since 1948 and Israel's non-compliance with UN resolutions. He highlighted the adverse impact of the 2018 funding freeze on UNRWA and called for increased international efforts to address the refugee crisis and hold Israel accountable. Dr. Daud Abdullah reiterated the importance of the right of return for refugees, emphasizing repatriation, property restitution, and compensation. He argued that political agreements must uphold refugee rights under international law and noted that the right of return and self-determination are complementary. In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood lamented UNRWA's chronic underfunding and stressed the need to address the root causes of the refugee crisis. He urged unity among refugees to advocate more effectively for their rights and emphasized the importance of ensuring refugee return, property restitution, and compensation.