Palestinian Refugees in Iraq, Again to Tents !
The consecutive events have proved that the Palestinian people still survive. Despite poverty, sickness and the miserable living conditions, our people still faithfully and defend their rights. They have not succumbed to the imperialists scourges in 1948, and despite false hard and deception, the slogans they upheld remained the most authentic measure of nationalism.
The Palestinian people have been suffering for too long. The setback has not weakened their determination and solidarity. In Gaza, Nablus, Jineen, Al-Bireh, Jerusalem and Hebron as well as in all Palestinian cities, villages and refugee camps, our people have remained faithful to their country, adamant to their loyalty and self – dependent pledging to retaliate and thwart all imperialist conspiracies aiming to liquidate their case. There will be no expulsion, no partitioning, no displacement and no settling in other countries.
Since April this year, more than 1500 Palestinian men, women and children have been living in 400 tents in occupied Baghdad. As a result of the occupation, Palestinians forced out of Iraq are estimated to be between 4000 – 5000 men, women and children, whom are currently in a camp near the Jordanian border. And the other live at the Haifa Sports Club facilities in Baghdad.
The UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said Palestinians currently living in a squalid tented camp in Baghdad Haifa Sports Club would be the first to be registered. The next ones will be refugees who were also evicted from their houses and being accommodated with relatives and friends.
UNHCR has asked the US – British coalition forces occupying Iraq to let the refugees move into empty government buildings.
Drawing the attention to the hardships faced by Palestinian refugees in some of the Arab countries in general, and specially in Iraq, was by Al-Awda, the Palestinians Right to Return Coalition. Al-Awda calls on its members, human and civil rights organizations, and all people to call for an end of this matter.
No peace would be possible in the Middle East until the Palestinians refugees be allowed to return to their homes of origin in Palestine, not again to tents.
