The Journal of Palestinian Refugee Studies (JPRS) is the only English language journal devoted exclusively to Palestinian refugee affairs. The journal unites sound research and analysis with a variety of well-informed perspectives by academics, journalists, and practitioners. JPRS focuses as well on news and analysis that impacts on the plight of Palestinian refugees.

The journal is published by the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) which is an independent organization focusing on the historical, political and legal aspects of Palestinian refugees and is based in the UK. 

This edition of the journal provides a unique perspective on an essential matter that’s related to the global development agenda set by the United Nations.  After almost two decades, the United Nations in 2015 changed its development agenda from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The SDGs have 17 goals that if achieved, the development of humanity and vulnerability of people would be alleviated and in some places end.

See below highlights of some of the articles included in this latest issue:

An Unsustainable Water Occupation and the Sustainable Development Goals: a Failing Match

This article by Camilla Corradin explains the failure of Oslo peace process in securing clear and sufficient water supplies for the Palestinian people in occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The writer argues that Israeli occupation is the actual obstacle to achieving universal access to safe drinkable water. She also notes that Palestinian Authority must exert more efforts to improve the management of localities.

Discrepancies in applying UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Writer Ramona Wadi, discusses the discrepancies in applying UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the Occupied Palestinian Territories which is “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”. Wadi notes that the UN has failed over the years to implement this goal where peace seems to be far from achievable in the region. She also suggests that the UN has failed in protecting the Palestinian people at the time of conflicts and the Israeli attacks. She also highlights that the UN failed in promoting the real independent political development within the PA institutions.

Poverty and the Palestinians

Jonathan Fryer, British writer, provides an overview of SDG 1 in regards to the Palestinian people. Fryer finds that poverty levels have worsened in the Occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.  Palestinian refugees living in neighboring Arab countries also face staggering dire conditions. According to Fryer, a common element to the situation of Palestinians whether in Palestine or in the refugee diaspora is that their poverty is mainly the result of political and even historical factors beyond their control. He concludes that without a just settlement for the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and recognition of the implications of the right of return for Palestinian refugees there is unlikely to be a significant improvement in their economic condition.

The Loss of Education: Palestinian Refugees from Syria & UN SDG 4

UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to ‘ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning’. This article identifies and examines the barriers to the realisation of this goal for Palestinian refugees from Syria. Firstly, it places SDG 4 in the Palestinian historical context, looking at how stateless Palestinian refugees have accessed education in the decades since the Nakba. The article’s second section then examines how the on-going Syrian conflict has affected the prospects of education both for Palestinians remaining inside the country and for those who have sought refuge in new host states. Finally, the article concludes by exploring the ways in which SDG 4 could be implemented in practice for Palestinian refugees from Syria today.

Poverty and Unemployment: Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon and the Sustainable Development Goals 1 & 8

Diana Marie Naoum’s article looks at the Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 8 in the context of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Still considered as foreigners under Lebanese law despite their longstanding presence, Palestinian refugees are denied fundamental civil rights. Up against discriminatory laws, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon face one of the harshest socioeconomic conditions in the region. Until Palestinians are granted wider access to the labour market, and in turn are able to improve their standard of living, Diana concludes that the realisation of SDGs 1 and 8 and their targets will not be met in Lebanon.

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