For the first time in decades, the State of Israel introduces a legally sound and internationally aligned solution to one of the Middle East’s most protracted humanitarian challenges – the issue of Palestinian refugees. The new national initiative, “Return 1948”, is designed to deliver individualized justice to those who were genuinely displaced during the 1948–1949 War of Independence. The program offers a pathway for return exclusively to first-generation refugees, in full accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, while maintaining sovereign control over immigration policy and embedding the principle of reciprocity for property-related claims.

State Program “Return 1948”

(The 1948 Displacement Restoration Programme)

Preamble

The State of Israel, acknowledging the complex historical circumstances of the 1948–1949 war and acting in the spirit of justice, international law, and humanitarian principles, hereby adopts the State Program “Return 1948.”

The purpose of the Program is to create a lawful, fair, and manageable mechanism for the return of individuals who were displaced during the 1948–1949 war of independence. The Program operates strictly within the framework of Israel’s sovereignty and adheres to international legal standards as outlined in the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol. The Program explicitly excludes hereditary refugee status and politically motivated exceptions introduced through the UNRWA framework.

I. Historical Background

1. During the 1948–1949 war, approximately 700,000 Arab residents left or were displaced from the territory of the former British Mandate. These individuals are considered first-generation refugees.
2. In parallel, more than 850,000 Jews were expelled or forced to leave Arab countries (Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Libya, Morocco, etc.), losing their property, citizenship, and security.
3. In several Eastern and Western European countries — including Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, and Ukraine — Jewish property was confiscated during and after the Holocaust, with no restitution in most cases.

II. Legal Framework

This program is based on:

• The 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
• The 1967 Protocol to the Convention
• The UNHCR definition of refugee status, as applied globally

The program:

• Recognizes only first-generation displaced persons;
• Does not recognize inherited refugee status (as applied uniquely by UNRWA to Palestinians);
• Rejects any automatic entitlement for descendants of those displaced.

III. Eligibility Criteria

1. Eligible applicants must:
   • Have been personally displaced from the territory of Israel during the 1948–1949 war;
   • Have been born on or before 30 June 1950, including infants born to women displaced during the conflict;
   • Provide documentary evidence of residence in the territory of Israel (under the Mandate) prior to July 1949.
2. Eligibility is also extended to:
   • Widows/widowers, if they are themselves first-generation displaced persons;
   • Residents of the West Bank and Gaza, provided that they relocate physically to Israel if accepted.
3. Ineligible applicants include:
   • Descendants of displaced persons (second generation and beyond);
   • Spouses of displaced persons who do not meet eligibility criteria themselves;
   • Individuals associated with terrorism or armed conflict against Israel;
   • Persons who have filed international claims against the State of Israel (unless withdrawn under the program framework).

IV. Application Procedure

1. An official state portal will be established, accessible worldwide.
2. Applications must be submitted online via a personal account.
3. Acceptable documentation includes:
   • British Mandate or UN archives;
   • Civil registries and family books;
   • Local administration records;
   • Photographs, certificates, legal documents;
   • Any evidence admissible under standard Israeli consular procedures.
4. All applications are subject to mandatory screening by Israel’s security and administrative authorities, including the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the Ministry of Interior, and the Population and Immigration Authority.
5. If the applicant is deemed a security threat, individual rejection will be issued, with reasoning provided.

V. Residency and Citizenship

Residency

• Approved applicants will be granted an Aleph-5 visa, allowing legal residency, employment, access to health care, and basic social support.

Citizenship Pathway

Applicants may apply for Israeli citizenship after:

• 4 years of residence within a 5-year period, and
• Passing a Hebrew language test at a minimum “Bet” (intermediate) level.

International Comparisons

Israel’s policy aligns with global naturalization standards.

VI. Integration and Social Support

1. Participants will receive:
   • Access to the national health care system (per Aleph-5 visa standards);
   • A subsistence allowance, as defined by Israel’s Ministry of Social Affairs;
   • Subsidized Hebrew language courses (as provided to new immigrants);
   • Basic legal and civic orientation on rights and responsibilities.
2. Housing is not guaranteed, but participants may be eligible for local municipal support programs.

VII. Geographic Conditions

• Participants must physically reside within the internationally recognized territory of Israel (1949 Armistice Line).
• Residence within the Palestinian Authority or Gaza Strip is not permitted after acceptance.
• Applicants residing in these areas may apply, but must relocate to Israel upon approval.

VIII. Property Claims – Principle of Reciprocity

The State of Israel acknowledges that the question of lost private property is a fundamental component of historical justice. The “Return 1948” Program provides a framework for addressing property claims by Arab refugees based on the principle of reciprocity and symmetry, following international legal standards.

1. Israel affirms its full and unequivocal readiness to consider claims for restitution or compensation for property lost by Arab refugees, provided that a process of restitution or compensation is initiated for Jewish property lost under similar circumstances in a corresponding set of countries.
2. These countries include, in particular:

3. Israel is prepared to evaluate property claims based on a 1:1 principle – either in terms of physical area or fair market value – upon presentation of:
   • official documentation of ownership or loss;
   • cadastral, municipal, or tax records;
   • formal recognition of the restitution process by the relevant country.
4. The initiation of such a process may be supported by an official declaration or legal instrument issued by the relevant state authority, such as a government ministry, national legislature, or competent judicial body, affirming a willingness to begin restitution of Jewish property or offer compensation. Israel will treat such instruments as a valid basis for triggering a parallel process of review.
5. Israel commits to providing full archival and administrative support to facilitate the identification and documentation of Jewish property claims in the relevant countries. This includes:
   • access to historical land and property records;
   • professional assistance in preparing supporting evidence;
   • coordination with international archives and human rights organizations.
6. Property claims filed under the “Return 1948” Program will be handled with priority and urgency, in recognition of their legal and historical complexity and their significance for reconciliation.

Israel is not closing the door on property restitution. On the contrary, it invites a constructive and reciprocal process, grounded in facts, documentation, and international cooperation. The program remains open to bilateral engagement, legal innovation, and multilateral dialogue in the pursuit of fairness, balance, and durable peace.

IX. Appeals Process

1. In case of rejection, applicants may submit an administrative appeal through the official portal.
2. Further recourse includes:
   • Filing with an Israeli administrative court;
   • Filing a petition directly with the High Court of Justice (Bagatz).

Conditions for Petitioning Bagatz:

• Open to citizens and non-citizens alike;
• Prior exhaustion of administrative channels is required;
• Petitions must be concrete, individualized, and justified;
• No requirement to proceed through lower courts beforehand.

X. International Coordination

1. Israel may consult with international organizations or foreign states to verify records and assist with documentation, but аll final decisions rest exclusively with the State of Israel.
2. The program will not involve UNRWA or external arbitration mechanisms.
3. International donors may be invited to support:
   • Humanitarian infrastructure,
   • Medical and educational services,
   • Legal frameworks for mutual restitution.

XI. Scope and Duration

• The program has no annual or overall cap on the number of applications.
• The initial operational window is set for 2026 to 2035, with the possibility of extension upon review.

Conclusion

The “Return 1948” Program offers a lawful, fair, and realistic resolution to a decades-old humanitarian issue. It upholds Israel’s right to control immigration while demonstrating moral leadership in addressing historical grievances.

By anchoring its approach in individual justice, reciprocity, and the norms of international law, Israel asserts its commitment to responsible, humanitarian policy without compromising national security or demographic integrity.