No Return = No Peace? The Palestinian Refugee Problem and the Two-state Solution in a Regional Context

Abstract

The Palestinian refugee issue has been a pressing political and humanitarian problem for over sixty years, yet recent frameworks–in particular the two-state paradigm since Oslo–have marginalized the refugees and their claim to a right of return. This article aims to give an overview of the current situation. It argues that the binary logic of the two-state solution has been too narrow to take the refugee problem fully into account, and that the refugees are likely to end up being an ‘obstacle’ to peace after an agreement. Moreover, little to no voice has been given to refugees by the PA/PLO leadership, which sheds further doubt on the feasibility of current approaches to finding a lasting solution. Finally, this article takes into account the effects of the on-going conflict in Syria, which is causing further displacement and insecurity for Palestinian refugees.