Learn about Palestinian refugee camps

About 1.2 million people live in crowded refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and countries that neighbor Israel.

Overview: Palestinian refugee camps are crowded with 1.2 million people, along with schools, hospitals and mosques. Have students conduct research to learn about the refugee camps, some of which were established more that 50 years ago. Challenge students to identify problems and possible solutions regarding the refugee camps from both the Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints.

Curriculum Connections: World History, Political Science, Current Events

Have students read the CNN Student News story, "Mideast 101: Who are Palestinian refugees?," and answer the following questions:

1. Why did Israeli troops advance into the Palestinian refugee camps this year? Why do Israeli officials refer to the refugee camps as a "terrorist infrastructure"? How does the United Nations Relief and Works Agency define "Palestinian refugees"? Why have Palestinian refugee camps become a focal point in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis? How many refugee camps are in existence and where are they located? Who runs the camps? Who funds the camps?

2. Share the following quotation from Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: "Israel is not ready to allow or discuss the return of the refugees into its boundaries, refugees who had to escape because of a war that was forced on Israel. That would mean... the end of Israel as a Jewish state." What does Mr. Sharon mean by this statement? Do you agree with the statement? Why or why not?

3. Inform students that Israel's declaration of independence in 1948 triggered an invasion by several Arab countries -- and a war that forced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes in what was to be Israel. Despite a United Nations resolution recognizing the Palestinians' right to return to their homes, Israeli law barred those Palestinians from re-entering Israel at the end of the war. The Palestinians became refugees, taken in by other Arab states -- some of which were ill-equipped to support them. Pair students. Refer students to the Web sites below and other resources to conduct research about the history of Palestinian refugee camps. Pose these questions to guide students research:

Have students share their findings. Ask: What problems exist for both the Israelis and the Palestinians because of the refugee camps? What do you think are some possible solutions for these problems from both the Israeli and the Palestinian viewpoints? Discuss.

Materials on this site are reproducible for classroom use.