Dr. As'ad Abdelrahman (PLO refugee portfolio), the most prominent among the speakers, emphasized that the Palestinian leadership will not accept any peace agreement with Israel without a just solution (based on internationally legitimized decisions) to the refugee question.  Heidar Ibrahim (PLC), called to improve basic services in the camps, to elect a refugee leadership, and not to participate in the PA municipal elections.  He raised that the Palestinian political leadership must give special importance to refugee camps, including to those in the Diaspora.  He also called upon the UN to tackle the Palestinian refugee issue.  Fahkri Turkman (PLC) reported on the deteriorating conditions inside the camps and emphasized his rejection of the cuts in UNRWA services.  He and other participants called upon the refugees to crystallize their position in defense of their right of return.  Dr. Amin Abu Baker, history teacher at al-Quds Open University encouraged refugees to preserve all papers and documents related to their properties inside Israel.  

Suliman Fahmawi presented the Regional Committee to Defend the Rights of the Internally Displaced Palestinians in Israel: he reminded the participants that the Israeli authorities destroyed 418 Palestinian villages and that the number of internally displaced Palestinians is more than 225,000, who are living dispersed between the Golan Heights, the Negev, and the "Triangle."  Fahmawi called upon internally displaced Palestinians to form local committees so as to raise their concerns in the framework of the Regional Committee.  

Workshop 5>

| refugee workshops |