The Columbia University today announced that a Middle East expert at the university will begin a study this month of practical means to settle and rehabilitate the Palestine Arab refugees. The study will be financed by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to the University. It will be conducted by Dr. Don Peretz, a lecturer on the Middle East and author of a book on Israel and the Palestine Arabs.
The aim of the study is to make detailed proposals for returning and settling some of the Arabs in Israel, settling the rest of them in neighboring countries, and compensating all Arabs who lost property. The study will stress practical solutions to the refugee problem instead of becoming involved in the numerous broad, general programs which have been proposed, the announcement said.
The American Friends of the Middle East have awarded Dr. Peretz a $2,500 grant to cover travel costs. “After spending about four months in the Palestine area, Dr. Peretz will return to the United States to complete his study by September 1962. When the study is completed, it will contain detailed information on the current conditions under which Israeli Arabs live, the attitudes of Arab refugees in countries bordering Israel, and the possible settlement areas available in Israel and the Arab countries. It will then propose specific rehabilitation projects within a framework of larger regional development schemes. The study will contain suggestions for raising funds and compensating Arabs for property losses.” the university announcement said.
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