History of Oceania

What happened to Arabs who lived in Israel?

After the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, around 700,000 Arabs who had been living in the area became refugees. This occurred during what Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba," which means "catastrophe" in Arabic.

The number of Palestinian refugees continues to grow and now encompasses their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were born in exile. Today, it's estimated that there are over 5 million Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian refugees are spread across the Middle East, with the largest populations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. They live in refugee camps, which are often overcrowded and unhygienic, and they rely on international aid for survival.

Although the international community has recognized the Palestinian right of return, Israel has not. Consequently, the refugees remain in exile, and their future remains uncertain.