Palestinian Refugees Part 2 of 8.

By Gil Butler (VOA-Kuwait City)

The future status of millions of Palestinian refugees is one of the major issues dividing Israelis and Palestinians. There are perhaps 40,000 Palestinians in Kuwait, one-tenth of the number in the country before the Gulf War. After the war, Kuwait expelled

During a gathering at an apartment in Kuwait, several Palestinian professionals gave their views about what Palestinians would do if peace ever comes. Jamal Sharawi said Palestinians in Kuwait have a special desire to go to Palestine. "Well, I think from Kuwait, frankly speaking, all of the Palestinians in Kuwait would go back to Palestine," he said. "Because you see, even after living so many years in Kuwait, Palestinians, as well as other foreign nationals, do not have any rights here, even to remain in Kuwait after they retire or after this long service. So I believe all the Palestinians would return to Palestine."

Sharawi says that in other countries the older Palestinians would go back. He says the younger generation, especially if they live in good conditions in developed countries, would not leave, but they too would like the right to return so they could make their own decision.

Because of the mass expulsions after the Gulf War, the Palestinians who are still in Kuwait say they have a special understanding of the need for a national identity - a homeland.