This study examines the United Nations' efforts to effect Palestinian refugee compensation through its lead agency for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, the United Nations Conciliation Commision for Palestine (UNCCP), from 1949 to 1966. It highlights the progressive shrinking of the UNCCP's role from overall conciliation to bringing about agreement on compensation to a tertiary status conducting technical studies. Examining in particular the ambitious twelve-year program for identifying and evaluating refugee property carried out by the UNCCP's Technical Office, the author details the vast land records used and generated by that office and publishes for the first time compensation estimates buried in the archives. In analyzing the reasons for UNCCP's ultimate failure in realizing its mission, the author highlights first and foremost the negative impact of the United State's undeclared but strict "red lines" for resolving the crisis.

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United Nations refugee compensation property rights Palestine