The LA Times has an interesting new article out today on the plight of the Palestinian refugees housed in camps in Lebanon.
The Palestinians in Lebanon are isolated in their camps to a higher degree than in any other Arab country.
...
Unlike in neighboring Arab countries like Syria and Jordan where Palestinians enjoy more rights, the refugees in Lebanon live mostly on U.N. agencies' handouts and payments from the rival Palestinian factions. Those who do work are either employed by UNRWA or as laborers at menial jobs such as construction.
Beyond the legal restrictions on them, they also face deep prejudice from many Lebanese.
As the article states, these Palestinians either fled or were driven from their homes during the 1948 and 1967 wars and have lived in refugee camps in Lebanon without most civil rights and with heavy restrictions on their ability to seek employment.
Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has introduced a new law in the Lebanese Parliament seeking to grant the Palestinians the right to own property and to work in any profession. The bill has touched off a heated debate given the country's sectarian governing system with its delicate balance between the sects of Druze, Christian, and Muslim groups. Christians and Sunni Muslims are apparently concerned about a change that they believe could lead to the permanent resettling of the largely Sunni Muslim Palestinians while the Druze and Shiite Muslims favor the bill.
And the Palestinians? Skeptical. The article quotes one saying "Nobody cares about us, they will talk and talk but nothing will happen".
Given their experience in the country to date, it would be difficult to argue against this sentiment but perhaps the bill will pass and thus finally improve their living conditions.