>>...which is a step up from Palestinians, who aren’t even allowed to become refugees...

I taught school in Beirut for a short while. I had a not-very-good motorbike while I was there. If I had mechanical difficulties I learned that if I looked for a checked keffiyeh (easy way to spot a Palestinian) and asked that person, he was certain to at least try to help.

The issue in Lebanon was that the factions there were in a very delicate balance (Druze minority pretty much in control as the Brits left it that way) and a large influx of Palestinians upset that balance (which was going to fall apart eventually anyway) so those refugees got the blame. My experience with them was 100% positive. I'd be glad to have Palestinian refugee neighbors. There are a number of factors leading to that resistance to accepting them (first in the middle east was other countries trying to put pressure on what they called "the Zionist entity") but one was what happened in Lebanon. It makes me sad.

BTW/FWIW, my last name marks me as Druze. I hadn't known before I got there as I'd never met the grandfather I got the name from (but of course it was the privileged who got to emigrate so maybe obvious in retrospect). I found that name took me out of some bullseyes - and put me into others.

I've been supporting ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid - good organization, check them out) with what I could afford ever since.

Sorry, off topic - but you brought up Palestinians...