Position Paper Return of Palestinian Refugees to the State of Israel Yaffa Zilbershats and Nimra Goren-Amitai Editor: Ruth Gavison Translated from Hebrew The Metzilah Center for Zionist, Jewish, Liberal and Humanist Thought Jerusalem, 2011 Return of Palestinian Refugees to the State of Israel Yaffa Zilbershats and Nimra Goren-Amitai Editor of the Series: Ruth Gavison Translation: Dr. Rachel Rimon Translation editor: Allan Arkush Copy editor: Esther Rosenfeld Production Coordinator: Tali Lipschitz Graphics: Adi Rubin The contents of this position paper do not necessarily represent the position of the Metzilah Center and are solely the responsibility of the authors. © All rights reserved to the Metzilah Center for Zionist, Jewish, Liberal and Humanist Thought Jerusalem, February 2011 For orders: Metzilah Center, P.O. Box 8435, Jerusalem 91083 Tel: 077– 4020771 Email:
[email protected] www.metzilah.org.il The Metzilah Center was founded in 2005 to address the growing tendency among Israelis and Jews worldwide to question the legitimacy of Jewish nationalism and its compatibility with universal values. We believe that Zionism and a liberal worldview can and must coexist; that public discourse, research and education hold the key to the integration of Zionism, Jewish values and human rights in the Jewish state; and that the integration of these values is critical for the lasting welfare of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. Metzilah aims at disseminating knowledge, deepening the understanding and awakening the public discourse in the areas that we deem are the core issues facing the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. These key issues include: the Jewish people’s right to national self-determination in (part of) the Land of Israel; contemporary Jewish identities; the complex nature of Israeli society; and the preservation of human rights for all Israeli citizens and residents.