Millions of Palestinians live in the diaspora and consider the Right of Return a sacred and inalienable right—the right to return to their original homes and lands from which they were forcibly displaced in 1948 and in the years that followed

This right is grounded in historical, legal, and humanitarian considerations, as international laws, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirm that every individual has the right to leave their country and return to it

What is the Right of Return

The Right of Return refers to the entitlement of any Palestinian who left their original homeland in 1948 or thereafter to return to their land or home where they lived before displacement

This right applies to all Palestinians, men and women alike, and extends to their descendants, regardless of their current place of residence

Why is the Right of Return Important for Palestinians

1. Historical Right:

Palestinians have maintained a connection to their land since ancient times

They consider the Right of Return a natural and inherent claim to their historical homeland, as documented in the Palestinian Refugee Camps Encyclopedia

2. Legal and Legitimate Right:

Palestinians view their Right of Return as both legitimate and legally established, supported by international law, including Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

3. Humanitarian Right:

International law recognizes that depriving an individual of their property or homeland is impermissible

Every person has the right to return to their country, and this principle underpins the humanitarian aspect of the Palestinian Right of Return

The Reality of Palestinians in the Diaspora

Large numbers of Palestinians reside in the diaspora, forming a significant portion of the total Palestinian population

Most live in Arab countries such as Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, though many others are spread across the globe

Palestinians assert that their Right of Return is not nullified by their settlement in other countries, including the State of Palestine if established.