This House believes the Palestinians should give up their full right of return
Wednesday March 28 2007
MOTION REJECTED
by 18% to 82%
Details
The Palestinian right of return was overwhelmingly supported at a Doha Debate on March 28. The issue is seen by many as the most intractable barrier to a Middle East peace settlement.
The vote came as Arab League ministers discussed the topic at a meeting in Saudi Arabia. A final draft resolution called for a "just solution" to the problem but avoided any mention of the phrase "right of return".
Many Palestinians claim the right to return to lands and property that once belonged to them in what is now Israel. Israelis say that opening the door to an estimated five million registered refugees would destroy the Jewish state.
Yossi Beilin, a Knesset member and Chairman of the Meretz-Yachad party, and Bassem Eid, a long-time Palestinian human rights campaigner, argued for the motion. They were challenged by Israeli academic Ilan Pappe and Ali Abunimah, son of Palestinian refugees and co-founder of Electronic Intifada.com.
In a final vote almost 82% of the audience rejected the motion: 'This House believes the Palestinians should give up their full right of return.'
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