This refugee problem has been artificially maintained for political motives. Recent years have seen great expansion of Middle East economies, but the Arab governments have so far stopped the refugees from sharing this. The vast Arab world could find home for a million refugees. Speaking to the UN in 1958
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The refugee crisis persists due to political choices rather than lack of resources, as Arab nations could absorb refugees but choose not to.
- In plain terms
- Politics keeps the refugee issue alive even though there is room to solve it.
- What can you take from it?
- Political will often blocks practical humanitarian solutions.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much do politics drive humanitarian crises?
- What prevents regions from sharing burdens?
Another view
This view overlooks the complexity of refugee status and identity rights.
More from Abba Eban
'there was a rational prospect, ultimately fulfilled, that afflicted populations would exert pressure for the cessation of hostilities.' said in defense of sys…
Permalink to quote #20 International law is that law which the wicked do not obey and the righteous do not enforce.
Permalink to quote #19 '.. Israel is the product of the most sustained historic tenacity which the ages recall. The state of Israel is on immutable part of the international landscap…
Permalink to quote #18
Related quotes
Most of the money that President Clinton and I raised has not been spent yet, and it will go into reconstruction. ... This is bigger than politics; this is abo…
George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. Bush quote #18 If one rejects laissez faire on account of mans fallibility and moral weakness, one must for the same reason also reject every kind of government action. -- Pl…
Ludwig von MisesLudwig von Mises quote #1 The trouble is that once America goes off to war, it can't very well return without having fought one. If it doesn't find its enemy, for the sake of the enrage…
Arundhati RoyArundhati Roy quote #1