Life Onboard LAST UPDATE  June 13, 2010
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May 20, 2010 The plight of the displaced – Wajeeh Azayze
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Mr Azayze says there are very active non-governmental organizations such as Peace Boat which provide much needed support to those living in the camps.

There are few people whose lives are dominated by the displacement of Palestinians from their traditional homeland as Wajeeh Azayze. The Director-General of Jordan's Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) was born in a refugee camp in Jordan's north before moving out when he was a child in 1966. He lives in Jordan, but says his true home lies in what is now Israeli territory. Mr Azayze is one of millions of Palestinians whose parents fled their homes after the Arab-Israeli war of 1948. Most have never returned to their homeland and today about 5 million Palestinians live in countries sharing a border with Israel, including Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. Jordan has the highest number of refugees with about 2 million Palestinians dispersed throughout the country. Mr Azayze says many have moved to Jordanian towns and only 18 per cent live in the camps.

Mr Azayze is travelling on the 69th Voyage from Jordan to Italy to discuss the relationship between Jordan and the refugees. As head of the DPA, he represents the link between the Jordanian Kingdom and those living in the camps, a role that includes trying to strengthen development, infrastructure, education and sport services for refugees. There are 13 camps in Jordan, and ten of these are recognised by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Mr Azayze tells Peace Boat participants that Jordanian citizenship has been granted to Palestinians since 1950, giving them work opportunities and access to government services. But he says those who become Jordanian citizens still retain their Palestinian identity. "Jordan still believes the refugees should have the right to return to their homes in Palestine and is an advocate of those rights," he says.
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In lectures about Jordanian and Palestinian culture, Mr Azayze teaches participants about life in the Middle East.
For many participants, Mr Azayze is the first Palestinian refugee they have met. Their discussions with him will give them an opportunity to learn more about the issues surrounding the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. Mr Azayze is one of the few Palestinians who has been able to visit his homeland, a small town near the city of Nazareth which is now part of Israel's territory. He says that his dream is to be able to live in the area. "It is my land, my village," he says. "It belongs to my father, grandfather and whole family." Many Palestinians were farmers growing olives and vegetables, which might explain their strong connection to their homeland. "In the refugee camps, they don't own their land, and can't do farming like they used to," Mr Azayze says.

Like many refugees, Mr Azayze rejects Israel's policy of occupation in Palestinian territory. "Before, Palestinians and Jewish people lived side by side, but this became a problem when Palestinians were forced to leave their villages in order to create Israel," he says. He tells participants that growing up in the Irbid Refugee Camp, which is located about 100 kilometres north of Jordan's capital Amman, was very tough. "There was nowhere to play sport, there was little food and the accommodation was very bad." The only positive aspect of these harsh conditions is that it has helped develop close connections between those living in the camps. "The relationship between people is very good, there is a lot of cooperation and support between families."
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Mr Azayze says he still has family living near Nazareth. He last visited his homeland six months ago, and hopes to one day move there.
But Mr Azayze admits that the camps are in dire need of improvement. They suffer from extreme crowding, made worse by the large number of children who are being born into and growing up inside the camps. Refugees are free to move into other parts of Jordan, but the high cost of accommodation outside the camps means that many will never be able to leave. Funding from the UNRWA has fallen significantly, which has had a dramatic impact on services in the camps, especially schools. "There are not enough teachers, many of the school buildings are not in good condition, and the schools do not have proper equipment or supplies," Mr Azayze says. There is also a lack of medical supplies, doctors and other health workers.

Mr Azayze says the only real solution to the problem is for the refugees to be allowed to move back to their historical homeland. He is calling on Peace Boat participants and people across the world to learn more about the conflict and its consequences. "If more and more ordinary people start speaking up for peace, we can begin to change the world."