The article by Mr Lawrence Attard Bezzina "What is meant by the term "Palestinian" (April 29) recalls press announcements by the Israeli embassy in the 1950s and later pronouncements by Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir that "Palestinians do not exist".

Key to understanding this issue is to recall that the inhabitants of Palestine prior to 1948 - whoever they were - left their farms, orchards, factories and apartments when hostilities broke out and expected, much as did refugees in WWII Europe, to return home when the hostilities ceased.

The difference was that while the WWII Europe refugees returned and reclaimed their lives, the Zionist authorities prevented the former inhabtants of Palestine from returning to their farms, orchards, factories and apartments. Instead they said this is now ours, i.e. they confiscated the properties without compensation. The result is Christian and Muslim refugees (including those in Jenin) and in surrounding Arab countries who believe that they have a right to their properties or compensation.

Israel has thus far denied this right.

Whoever they are - Palestinian or otherwise - they believe they have a right to live.

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