Saving the lives of Palestinian refugees persecuted in and fleeing Iraq is a priority. Emergency temporary protection and relocation opportunities must be provided immediately, until repatriation becomes possible.

Badil calls upon the PLO to request all states, in particular Yemen, to allow Palestinian refugees from Iraq to enter their territory to seek temporary protection and/or relocation. Badil also calls upon states, the United Nations, the PLO and civil society organizations to bring Israel into compliance with its obligations so that Palestinian refugees can exercise their right of return and find safety and stability through durable solutions.

Few countries, such as Syria, Jordan, Brazil and Canada, have generously taken in Palestinian refugees, but none have shown willingness to welcome all or most Palestinian refugees from Iraq. Fewer still are willing to exert pressure on Israel to allow the refugees to return to their homes of origin in Israel and the 1967 Occupied Palestinian Territory.

In October, Sudan's president, Omar Bashir, announced that Sudan was willing to take in Palestinian refugees stranded on the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Why not Sudan?

While the details of the Sudanese offer have remained sketchy, it has already been rejected by Palestinian refugees from the al-Tanf camp who argue that Sudan is not a sustainable option. Sudan has itself generated over 2.5 million refugees and its government is guilty of serious human rights violations. While Palestinian refugees in the al-Walid camp have not yet made their final decision, they too appear unwilling to risk their lives by relocating to Sudan.

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