An Economic Case For Giving Palestinians Their Rights in Lebanon

Franklin Lamb nails it:

Various studies have concluded that Palestinians account for 10% of all consumption in Lebanon, with food, healthcare and rent being the main expenditures. More than 90% of Palestinian refugees spend all their income in Lebanon contributing directly to the Lebanese economy. Allowing them to work will, it is estimated by the International Labor Organization, double this figure and dramatically spur growth.

It’s a great argument, with one problem: It’s all about politics and demographics with the Palestinian issue in Lebanon.

Even those who present economic arguments against granting them work rights (They take away our jobs) are doing so because they are embarrassed by the real reason: Naturalizing Palestinians in Lebanon will destroy what is politely referred to here as the “demographic balance”.

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