Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands

Much attention is paid to the Arab Palestinian refugees created as the result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. They are mentioned in dozens of UN resolutions, and numerous Web sites and books describe their plight and assert their real and not so real rights. In strange contrast, virtually no attention is given to the Jewish refugees who were forced to immigrate from Arab and Muslim countries or became homeless as a direct or indirect result of the conflict, or regarding their rights and the rights of their descendants. They were usually forced to leave their homes under duress, because of racist incitement and violence, and in most cases were deprived of their property. There is no doubt that they suffered unjustifiably, and that any "just" solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict must take into account their legitimate claims and just grievances. The Jewish refugees also include a small number of Jews ethnically cleansed from their homes in Palestine/Israel.

A small number of Jewish refugees were created as a direct result of the conflict in Palestine or Israel. The Jewish communities of Hebron and Jerusalem were destroyed successively in the Arab  riots of 1929 uprising of 1936 and finally in the 1948 War of Independence. No Jews were allowed to live in territories held by the Arab forces. All Jews living in these areas were ethnically cleansed. The Jews of Gush Etzion were allowed to leave under Red Cross protection after a notorious massacre. The Jews of Jerusalem were evicted by the Arab Legion. Therefore the remaining Jews of Jerusalem, and those of Gush Etzion, Atarot, Neve Yaakov and kibbutzim in the Gaza strip were forced to evacuate their homes and leave their property without compensation. The total number of such persons might have been under 10,000. They are more numerous if we include dependents. Can there by any logical reason why such people should not be designated "refugees" as opposed to Arab Palestinians who left their homes or were forced to flee their homes? UN General Assembly Resolution 194, which deals with the refugee problem, refers to "refugees" without specifying their origin. In fairness, it should apply to Jewish refugees created by the conflict as well as to Palestinian Arab refugees.

Mr. Auguste Lindt, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, recognized the refugee status of Jews from Arab and Muslim countries in the report of the UNREF Executive Committee, Fourth Session – ‎Geneva 29 January to 4 February, 1957. Likewise, Dr. E. Jahn, Office of the UN High Commissioner, United Nations High ‎Commissioner for Refugees, Document No. 7/2/3/Libya, July 6, 1967, recognized the refugee status of these Jews.

Nonetheless, in contrast with the numerous UN resolutions concerning Palestinian Arab refugees, as well as the apparatus of UNRWA set up to deal with Arab refugees, no action at all was taken regarding Jewish refugees from Arab countries. The expulsions of Jews from Arab countries in many cases violated human rights conventions, but no actions were taken against the countries concerned. Israel has not pressed the claims of Jewish refugees from Arab countries or refugees evacuated in 1948 from areas conquered by the Arabs.

The resolution of the Jewish refugee problem, like that of the Arab Palestinian refugee problem, has implications for the peace process. As Ada Aharoni and Alain Albagli wrote:

Ami Isseroff

Download: This presentation about The Refugee Problem  outlines the differences in status for Palestinian Refugees and all others.

See also: The Refugee Issue