Palestinian Refugees in the Levant: Alternate Theories for Disparity in Treatment.

摘要

This thesis presents an analysis of seven factors that contribute to the disparity in treatment of Palestinian refugees in the Levant. The factors are as follows: legal status, economics, politics, space within the state, the Palestine Liberation Organization, Islamists, Palestinians, and identity. Two factors emerge as the main influences on the treatment of Palestinians in the Levant: economics and politics. Jordan needs the Palestinian refugees to help support their rentier economy. Syria has absorbed the Palestinians into their economic system, but it is not willing to give the refugees the same rights as its own citizens. Lebanon does not seek to disrupt its confessional balance by integrating the Palestinians economically. In terms of politics, all three countries demonstrate a certain willingness to integrate the Palestinians, but only to a level that maintains political power for the ruling party. Lebanon again uses confessional politics to justify its lack of integration. The Syrian Alawi elite seeks to maintain its political monopoly by pacifying the Palestinians enough to prevent any negative behavior. Jordan's authoritarian regime minimizes Palestinian political action through repressive measures that ensure the regime's survival. While all seven factors bear some relevance to the treatment of the Palestinians, economics and politics emerge as the principal factors affecting the Palestinians' treatment in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.