In 1948, the villagers of Kfar Bir'im in Galilee were evicted from their homes. Some lived in caves thinking that they could return in two weeks. Seven children died. In 1953 they watched from a hill, called today the "Wailing Hill," as Israel bombed their houses from the air. The third generation of internally displaced villagers continue their struggle to return to their land.
Kfar Bir'im is a microcosm of Palestine's tragedy. What follows is Dr. Salman Abu Sitta's story in today's Guardian. Dr. Abu Sitta is a scholar and a refugee from Ain Al Sitta in Beersheeba. He is author of the monumental Atlas of Palestine.Kfar Bir'imAtlas of Palestine
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/...
Dr. Abu Sitta addresses how to reverse ethnic cleansing.
"In a civilised society, if a crime is committed, its consequences must be reversed. The criminal should not be rewarded, and his crime should not be forgiven or even legitimised. The stolen property must be returned. Rights must be reinstated and reparation paid for material losses.
This is what the international community insisted upon, sometimes using military force, in implementing the return of refugees to Bosnia, Kosovo, Burundi, Cambodia, East Timor, Georgia, Guatemala, Mozambique, Ruwanda, South Africa, Tajikistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan."
He also touches upon the 'feasibility of return,'with which he has dealt extensively.
"The pretext that return is not possible because of the influx of Jewish immigrants to Palestine to replace the expelled Palestinians is not a valid one, morally, legally or politically. But we are spared the argument on this point. Here we have yet another one of the misconceptions designed to mislead and misinform the western public. It is not true that it is physically impossible to implement the right of return."
I'd encourage anyone who would like more information about refugees and right of return to go to Dr. Abu Sitta's website, Palestine Land Society. Yesterday in Doha a debate sponsored by BBC World, "This House Believes the Palestinians Should Give Up Their Right to Return," resulted in an overwhelming victory for those debating for the Palestinians' inalienable right to return to their homes and villages.
The right to return is still strong among the third generation of Palestine's refugees. Article 13:Section 2, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "Everyone has the right to leave his country and return to his country." The UN has reaffirmed Resolution 194 which calls for the return of the refugees to their homes and villages one hundred and thirty-five times. The simple desire to return to the home to which one holds the key, or to the village of one's parents or grandparents is not in the least an extreme notion.
Palestine Land Society.victory