Palestinians in Egypt refers to the Palestinian refugees who fled or were expelled to Egypt during the 1948 war with Israel, as started by Jordan, Egypt and Syria. This includes their descendants, as well as Palestinians expelled from Jordan, following the events of Black September. Black September is also known as the Jordanian Civil War and was an armed conflict between Jordan, led by King Hussein, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), led by chairman Yasser Arafat. Palestinians and their descendants have never been naturalized and so keep the distinct status of Palestinian refugee. Some Palestinians, mostly Christians, ^[1] received Egyptian citizenship through marriage with Egyptian nationals or by other means.

There was also an earlier wave of Palestinian immigration, in which Palestinian Christians settled in Egypt and other surrounding countries, fleeing genocides during the Ottoman era, along with Lebanese and Syrians, forming what was known as the " Shawam" (شوام) Christian community.

The 1922 census of Palestine lists 1,612 Palestinians as living abroad in Egypt: 614 Muslims, 756 Jews, and 242 Christians. ^[2]

Estimates of the size of the Palestinian population in Egypt range from 50,245 to 110,000. ^[1]

Unique Challenges of Palestinian Refugees in Egypt

The situation Palestinian refugees face in Egypt is unique. Unlike their counterparts in Syria and Jordan, who settled in pre-1948 Palestine's neighboring countries, Palestinian refugees in Egypt live in a state of limbo, devoid of recognition as refugees or citizens. Like treatment in Lebanon, they are not allowed to acquire citizenship.

Marginalization and Denial of Basic Rights

Today, Palestinian refugees in Egypt endure marginalization and deprivation of fundamental rights such as free education and healthcare. Despite residing in Egypt for decades, their work rights remain heavily restricted. Many refrain from disclosing their Palestinian identity due to pervasive discrimination fueled by Egyptian media campaigns since the late 1970s.

Lack of Official Support and Accurate Statistics

Around 20 years ago, Palestinian researcher Oroub El-Abed estimated that approximately 100,000 Palestinians lived in Egypt, a number likely to have increased significantly since. However, the absence of UNRWA's presence in Egypt results in a lack of accurate and up-to-date statistics. Neither UNHCR nor UNRWA provides assistance to Palestinian refugees in Egypt.

Limited Pathways to Nationality Rights

While Egyptian nationality can theoretically be granted to Palestinians, stringent conditions effectively bar the majority from naturalizing and obtaining essential rights. This stance is rooted in Arab League resolution 462 of 1952, which aimed to preserve the eventual return of Palestinian refugees and deter naturalization.

Deteriorating Hostility and Demonization

Egypt's hostility towards Palestinian refugees intensified following the assassination of Culture Minister Yusuf Al-Sibai in 1978, attributed to a militant Palestinian faction. This antagonism persisted, exacerbated by the Egyptian military regime's demonization of Palestinians following the 2013 coup.

Erosion of Rights and Hurdles in Obtaining Residency

Egypt's shifting policies have gradually eroded the rights of Palestinian refugees, relegating them to the status of marginalized foreigners. Obtaining residency permits, crucial for legal residency, is challenging and often requires marriage to an Egyptian or employment with a private company.

Conclusion

The plight of Palestinian refugees in Egypt underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support and recognition of their rights, as they continue to navigate legal and social barriers in their pursuit of dignified livelihoods.

Jail Sentences for Palestinians Illegally Entering Egypt

An Egyptian military court sentenced five Palestinian fishermen to a year in jail for unlawfully entering Egypt's territorial waters, according to Egyptian security sources. The fishermen were apprehended for crossing into Egyptian waters without permits in North Sinai, bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza enclave. This development occurred amidst strained relations between Egypt's army-led authorities and Hamas, the Islamist group governing the Gaza Strip, following heightened efforts by Egypt to disrupt cross-border smuggling tunnels between Sinai and Gaza. ^[3]

See also

• Palestinians
• Palestinian diaspora
• Palestinians in Lebanon

References