Jamal Shati (PLC/Refugee Subcommittee, Head of the Union of Youth Activity Centers) emphasized the role of the PLC as a supporter of popular refugee initatives, irrespective of the framework in which they choose to act.  This despite the fact that the PLC, as part of the Palestinian Authority, is forced to act within the narrow margins set by the DOP.  Such popular refugee initiatives can serve to strengthen the position of the Palestinian negotiators.  Moreover, he raised that regarding the right of return, it was upon the PLO to play a central role.  

Kamel al-Afghani (PLC) pointed out that the PLC Refugee Subcommittee does not plan to participate in the political negotiations, since this was the responsibility of the PLO leadership.  The PLC-Committee must focus on monitoring the situation in the refugee camps inside the PA areas.  

Dr. Ali Abu Rish (PLC) confirmed that there was pressure and a tendency to call for "realism", i.e. pressure for a rapid solution of the refugee question and the notion that the right of return today must be interpreted differently than in the past.  Therefore, it was upon the PLC-Refugee Subcommittee to re-affirm the Palestinian principles and to make clear that the refugees' right of return was not to be compromised, neither to new conceptions created in the transition period, nor to the current political and economic crisis.  

Abed Rabbo Abu 'Oun pointed out that PLC members, especially those in the PLC Refguee Subcommittee were elected to a large extent by refugees and must thus be ready to defend the needs and interests of their constituency.  He also stated that although Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are living in different situations and conditions, the popular demand for the right of return has remained a common demand.  The popular refugee conferences held in both areas have shown that refugees in the West Bank and refugees in the Gaza Strip are undivided when it comes to the right of return.  One of the aims, also of the PLC, must therefore be to prevent the division of the refugee problem, such as divisions between West Bank and Gaza Strip, inside and outside: neither must the issue of the Palestinian refugees be left for the negotiators in the multilaterals.  

Workshop 2>

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