The refugee issue is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Arab-Israeli wars of 1948 and 1967 gave birth to a large population of Palestinian refugees – men, women, and children who lost property, homes and livelihoods in the land which is now Israel. Any effort to resolve the conflict without resolving the issue of refugees will almost certainly fail, sowing deeper frustration and creating fertile ground for future protest and violence.

Moreover, the issue impacts the stability and security of countries of the region that are home to refugee populations and provides a powerful point around which extremists rally support.

A resolution of this human tragedy, in a manner that recognizes the grievances and dignity of refugees and does not threaten the character of the State of Israel, must be one of the most important goals of the peace process.

Clearly, the solution to the refugee issue will have to be found for the most part within the borders of a future Palestinian state, rather than inside Israel. Arguing that Palestinians must be able to exercise a “right of return” to property inside Israel is tantamount to a demand that Israel cease to exist as a Jewish state.

Successive peace plans – including the Clinton parameters, the Geneva Initiative, and the Arab Peace Initiative – all make clear that a solution to the issue must be found that is acceptable to both sides – respecting both the sensitivities of the Palestinian refugees and Israel’s sovereign right to determine who may live within its borders.

Finally, Jewish refugees from Arab countries – Jews who fled or were forced to flee from their homes as Israel came into existence and thereafter – have every right to seek redress. However, resolution of such claims is not an Israeli-Palestinian issue. Rather, it is a bilateral issue between Israel (or France, or the U.S., or whatever country these Jews now live in) and the countries these Jews fled. Israel's ability to negotiate peace should not be held hostage to the resolution of these claims.

APN supports a political process to resolve all issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including refugees and reject actions that prejudice the outcome of negotiations on this issue. APN also recognize the existence of claims by Jewish refugees from Arab countries, but rejects efforts to use this issue to block an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.