Since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Palestinian refugee crisis has spanned several generations and is one of the most prominent instances. On December 11, 1948, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 194 which granted Palestinian refugees the Right of Return. The Right of Return has remained a necessary aspect of Palestinian political discourse. However, during certain periods in history, the Palestinian leadership has favored liberation and later a Two-State solution over the Right of Return. At other times, the Right of Return has been more prominent. This thesis will look at the Right of Return’s historical narrative and how it has fit into Palestinian political goals and aspirations from 1948 to the 2000s.
