A Lecture as in Psychological, Social and Existential Dimensions of Refugee Life entitle: "Palestinian Refugees in the Palestinian- Israeli Negotiation"

Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies (IALIIS) hosted Dr. Rashid al-Khalidi on Monday 13 June, 2011 within the “Psychological, Social and Existential Dimensions of Refugee Life” as part of summer school.

Dr. Khalidi talked about the refugees issue as a negotiation topic within a rational political solution. In his view, the appeal for the right of return that happens now, is a legal appeal for the resolution number 194, and not an appeal for the natural and moral right. Therefore, in case of applying this resolution, refugees should return to live peacefully with their Israeli neighbors, and to abide by Israeli law and sovereignty.         

He also mentioned that the Palestinian negotiators should be clear in terms of the concept of return. Does it mean to return to the forthcoming Palestinian state within 1967 borders, or return to their villages and cities of origin, the majority of which had been completely destroyed? Dr. Khalidi mentioned that the Israeli community is becoming more and more extremist, which affects the right of return. In the same vein, Dr. Khalidi believes that the Palestinian negotiator so far made enormous mistakes in negotiation, and it is time to reconsider such mistakes for better achievements. Particularly the Palestinian concessions that exceed the Israeli ones. Finally, Dr. Kahlidi strongly recommended that Palestinian negotiation delegation should be equipped with experts in international law.