The repatriation of Palestinians is a highly topical issue, and a critical component of any future peace process for Israel/Palestine. Until now, the mechanics of repatriation have not been dealt with in detail. This book explores the notion that the Palestinian refugee case is exceptional through the comparative study of refugee repatriation, and by asking:

*to what extent can the Palestinian case be said to be unique? *where are the divergences, the overlaps and points of similarity with other refugee situations? *what lessons can be drawn from these comparisons? *how can these lessons inform refugee organizations, the donor community and policy makers?

The expert contributors examine the contextual and methodological field, reviewing the trends in forced migration and refugee studies as well as studying the historical and political background of UNHCR and the negotiations around the Palestinian refugee issue. Taking a comparative approach the book incorporates case studies of specific refugee situations from around the world, revealing key issues in the formulation of repatriation programmes and highlighting lessons to be learnt.