Do Palestinian Refugees Have a Right to Return to Israel? by
Ruth Lapidoth* In the media and in interviews with Palestinian
leaders, we often hear and read statements asserting that the
Palestinian Refugees have a right to return to Israel. As will
be shown, these statements are based on an erroneous reading of
the relevant texts. We will discuss the subject from three
points of view: general international law, the most relevant UN
resolutions, and various agreements between Israel and her
neighbors. 1. General International Several international human
rights treaties deal with the freedom of movement, including the
right of return.1 The most universal provision is included in
the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
which says: "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right
to enter his own country."2 The question arises, who has the
right of return, or: what kind of relationship must exist
between the State and the person who wishes to return? A
comparison of the various texts and