Conditions of Palestinians in Iraq have continued to deteriorate, according to community members who report a steady decline in economic circumstances amid ongoing pressure that they say is aimed at encouraging gradual departure from the country, either directly or through increasing difficulties in daily life.
The latest measure, according to residents, is the denial of access to cooking gas cylinders through state distribution outlets because they do not hold Iraqi nationality. The decision has triggered widespread anger among members of the third generation of Palestinians living in Iraq.
In 2017, the Iraqi parliament voted to repeal Law No. 202 concerning Palestinians in Iraq . The law had stated that "Palestinians were entitled to the same rights as Iraqis until the liberation of all Palestinian territory."
On 24 December of that year, the Iraqi government said in a statement that the repeal had been made for "administrative reasons".
Weeks later, authorities halted monthly food ration cards for Palestinians. They were also classified as foreign residents for competition for university places, postgraduate studies, and access to public hospitals.
In addition, pension payments to heirs of deceased Palestinians were suspended, a move residents say undermined legal protections in place since the end of 1948. Palestinians in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad, have also been affected by a cooking gas shortage that has persisted over recent weeks for reasons not disclosed by Iraqi authorities.
The impact has been more severe on Palestinians, as they have been prevented from obtaining gas cylinders due to the absence of so-called "national cards", the term used to refer to Iraqi citizenship.
Palestinians have launched appeals on social media calling for an end to their hardship and recognition of the refugee identification documents they hold.
Several Palestinians in Iraq , speaking to a reporter from The New Arab, said members of the third generation, born in Iraq and raised in its neighbourhoods and streets, have become integrated into Iraqi society.
However, they now face what they describe as a painful reality in which they are deprived of necessities, including gas and fuel cylinders, because they do not hold Iraqi nationality.
Omar al-Khatib said Palestinians are forced to rely on Iraqi friends to obtain cooking gas, asking, "Is this logical in Iraq ?"
He said deprivation affects not only daily needs but also places additional burdens on families who have lived in Iraq for nearly 90 years, contributing to society and sharing its challenges.
A Palestinian in Iraq who spoke to The New Arab on condition of anonymity said the Palestinian embassy in Iraq has been absent, adding that it has not contributed to resolving difficulties faced by Palestinians.
He said the Iraqi government should address Palestinian cases with fairness and ensure access to gas cylinders, fuel, and other rights that have been withdrawn in recent years, similar to other refugee communities in Iraq .
Palestinian activists in Iraq have previously appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations, and the European Parliament to address their situation.
They cited worsening economic conditions following the suspension of international aid.
The UN agency had informed a new group of Palestinian families in Baghdad that February 2020 would be the final month during which housing rental assistance would be paid.
Journalist Hassan Khaled said the conditions of Palestinians in Iraq have not improved. He noted that they remain unable to own homes, and that families of retired workers cannot receive pensions after the retiree's death.
He also said they are not permitted to own vehicles, adding that Palestinians "wake up every day to new suffering".
"About 90 per cent of Palestinians currently living in Iraq were born there, stressing the need for legislation granting Iraqi nationality to those who choose it among Palestinian refugees residing in the country since 1948 and their descendants, provided it does not conflict with the right of return," he said. Khaled added that activists have repeatedly called on the Council of Ministers and members of parliament since 2019 to issue emergency measures to ease the lives of Palestinian refugees, warning against leaving Palestinians in legal uncertainty.
He said officials have expressed support for Palestinian rights, but this has not been translated into concrete action.
"Palestinians want to be treated as Iraqis , particularly given proposals aimed at improving the conditions of Palestinians," Khaled added. "If nationality is not granted, parliament should pass clear legislation treating Palestinians equally in all rights and duties while excluding them from provisions of the Foreign Residency Law No. 76 of 2017. This would prevent Palestinians from being subject in the future to any regulations governing foreign residents."
The number of Palestinians in Iraq declined significantly after the United States-led occupation, following a series of targeted attacks by US forces that resulted in the killing, injury, and arrest of dozens. After 2006 , further waves of killings, expulsions, and forced displacement were carried out by armed groups, affecting thousands more.
Most Palestinians in Iraq originate from the villages of Ijzim, Jaba, and Ayn Ghazal near Haifa, as well as hundreds of families from Jaffa, Nablus, and Jerusalem.
They are mainly based in Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul, as well as Fallujah, which became their first settlement area after leaving Jordan in 1948. Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .