Book Description

?This unique book makes a significant and sorely needed contribution to discussions of how to address the Palestinian refugee problem in the context of Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.... Dumper draws fair-minded, thoughtful conclusions that can guide future negotiations.??Michael R. Fischbach, Randolph Macon College?Valuable and thought provoking.... Mick Dumper starts from a basic premise: any resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue ought to be informed by ?best practice? in other conflict areas. From this he develops a sophisticated critique of past negotiations on the issue and offers rare insight into how things might be done differently.??Rex Brynen, McGill UniversityFrom the dilapidated camps of Lebanon to the eye of the storm in Gaza, Palestinian refugees continue to be a focus of world attention. The Palestinian Return addresses in depth this most difficult of the outstanding problems impeding peace in the Middle East.Michael Dumper maps the contours of the issue, with special reference to wider international practice and its possible bearings on policy options for the Israeli-Palestinian case. Concentrating on topics central to the future of Palestinian refugees?ranging from compensation and resettlement, to international involvement in postconflict agreements, to justice and reconciliation?he offers an important and positive contribution to thinking on the Middle East peace process.Michael Dumper is reader in Middle East Politics at the University of Exeter. He is author of The Politics of Sacred Space: The Old City of Jerusalem and the Middle East Conflict.Contents: Introduction. Palestinian Refugees: An Overview. Looking at International Practice. Local Integration, Resettlement, and Repatriation. The Role of UNRWA. The Issue of Compensation. Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation. Conclusion.