Economic and Social Conditions of Palestinian Refugee Camps Residents: Proposed Solutions (Balata Camp Model)

This study examines one of the most important contemporary Palestinian issues, i.e. the socio-economic conditions of the residents of refugee camps in the West Bank. Balata Refugee Camp, near Nablus, serves as a practical model to identify the impacts of economic and social changes on its residents’ views and orientations in an attempt to develop future solutions for their status quo. To analyze the data, the study makes use of descriptive analytical methods based on (SPSS), geographic information systems (GIS), the next generation (Arc view GIS 3.3) and the Paint program for the Arabization of the maps. The researcher concludes that: A- The views of refugees and their attitudes toward the proposed solutions to their cause were as follows: 1 - (60.05%) of them do not accept to return without compensation; but if given the opportunity they will return although their economic and social obligations will not determine their decision to return.( 80.15%) of the refugees believe that the principle of return and establishing a Palestinian state will not be achieved merely through the return of 1948 refugees to the territory of the Palestinian Authority (West Bank and the Gaza Strip). 2- (87.2%) do not accept compensation without return and those who refuse to be compensated for material loss only are (83.2%). The majority of the refugees (96.5 %) reject the idea of settling down in the settlements instead of their own homes and properties in 1948. 3- (83.67%) reject the integratation and (staying or leaving the camp) solution with the knowledge that if they have the financial resources they prefer to leave the camp especially because it does not affect their faith in the right of return. Therefore, the just solution to the refugee problem is return and compensation. B- The study also finds that there is no impact of gender, age, educational level and number of family members on the views of refugees and their attitudes toward the proposed solutions. C- The income variable affects the total score of the refugee views and tendencies towards the proposed solution of their status quo in the camps for the sake of those with low income (900 ILS per month) over those with high income (2501-3000 begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting ILS per month). Refugees with low income (900 ILS) have more positive attitudes towards the proposed solutions than those who have high levels of income(2501-3000)begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting ILS per month). D- Finally, the study concludes that the occupation variable affects the refugees’ attitudes towards the proposed solutions. Workers in the private sectors have more positive attitudes towards the (right of return) and/or (staying in or leaving the camp) than those who work in the public sector mainly those who work for UNRWA due to their high level of stability which the public sector workers lack. E- The researcher recommends the necessity of providing appropriate shelters for the refugees until their problem is solved.