BEIRUT, Lebanon– The latest figures show that there are nearly four hundred thousand Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon.  Of that number, fifty-three percent live in twelve refugee camps scattered throughout the country.  The existence of these camps, however, does not mean that the refugees are living in suitable conditions.

Lebanese law forbids Palestinian refugees from working in seventy-two different professions.  These prohibitions include various private sector careers such as engineering, medicine, and law, as well as all public sector jobs.  Furthermore, there are a number of low skilled professions such as guarding buildings and trash collecting which are also subject to the prohibition.  As for the remaining low skilled positions, Palestinian refugees are required to obtain work permits and very few of these permits have been issued.

Aside from the professional prohibitions, a recent Lebanese law forbids Palestinians from buying and owning property.  Even Lebanese women married to a Palestinian man are forbidden from giving their children any property as an inheritance.  In addition, the new law obstructs renovation work at the camps by prohibiting the entry of any building equipment.  As a result, many of these camps lack many basic services such as electricity, water, and sewage systems.

In response to these conditions, the Lebanese argue that the refugees are temporarily in the camps and for them to normalize the situation with the Palestinians.  They are concerned that this would lead to an unwanted sense of permanent settlement.  Currently, it is estimated that nearly forty percent of 15 to 24 year-olds in the camps are unemployed.  Not only that, but chronic health failure is reported in just under twenty percent of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, a rate higher than that of Palestinian refugees in both Syria and Jordan.

In light of recent political developments in the region, the sentiment seems to be that the right of return for Palestinians is not a realistic possibility in the immediate future. As a result, many continue to feel that Lebanese law needs to reflect the ongoing struggle being faced by Palestinian refugees.

For more information, please see:

China View- Lebanese President Rejects “Any Form” of Palestinian Settlement of Refugees– 26 September 2009

The Daily Star- Sleiman Voices Hopes for Lebanese Seat on Security Council– 26 September 2009

The Palestinian Chronicle- Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon: From Deprivation to Violence– 18 September 2009