PA Prime Minister "is certain of our Palestinian people’s ability to realize the refugees’ right of return"

“[PA Prime Minister Muhammad] Shtayyeh emphasized that our people’s victory in its ongoing battle against the occupation and the settlement enterprise is certain, and he said that he is certain of our Palestinian people’s ability to protect its land, to establish its independent state, and to realize the refugees’ right of return according to [UN] Resolution 194 (see note below -Ed.).”

UN Resolution 194 (Chapter 11, Dec. 11, 1948) states that "refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return." Palestinian leaders argue this means that all Arabs who left Israel during the war (hundreds of thousands) and their descendants (a few million) have a "right of return" to Israel. Israel argues that the resolution only calls for a limited return and only under certain conditions, especially focusing on the words "wishing to return... and live at peace with their neighbors."