2 Israeli Land Grab and Forced Population Transfer of Palestinians a legal point of view. Increased knowledge of the legal framework and possible remedies would be of high value to international and local NGOs, advocates, and the communities themselves. The Handbook is a first of its kind public research project on forced population transfer of Palestinians. In the proceeding chapters we will address the following topics: land confiscation, restrictions on access and usage of land, and planning, building permits and home demolitions. BADIL Resource Center is known for its advocacy for the rights of Palestinian refugees. Why would we be interested in publishing a Handbook providing legal advice for Palestinians who cannot obtain building permits in the West Bank, for example? The reason for this stems from our holistic understanding of the ongoing nature of the forcible displacement of Palestinians and complementing previous publications since BADIL was founded in 1998. The ongoing Nakba requires us not only to document and analyze past displacement of Palestinians, but we believe it is also our responsibility to identify the present forms and mechanisms of displacement, and hence contribute to the strategy required for ending the ongoing displacement by offering practical ways to protect affected people in the present and in the future. The Handbook, then, serves two broad objectives: 1. First, the Handbook seeks to provide a much needed practical tool to help those facing various policies of displacement. Nonetheless, at this point we feel it is necessary to emphasize that we do not attempt to offer a comprehensive legal analysis in this Handbook. Nor could it substitute the professional legal services of a lawyer. The Handbook does hope to raise awareness towards legal procedures that could be undertaken by atrisk Palestinians. Moreover, the legal cases and examples described in the Handbook should not be considered exhaustive. This Handbook primarily aims to educate Palestinians about their rights and the situation they are facing today. Although most people understand the problematic dimensions of the Israeli land grab, many lack basic knowledge of the institutions and legal system through which the land grab is carried out. This Handbook aims to clarify these ambiguities and assist affected Palestinians with understanding how to defend their fundamental rights and maintain residency on their lands. In addition, the Handbook aims to help Palestinians prepare their legal cases before Israeli authorities and courts in order to increase their chances of success, although success here does not mean enjoying justice; it is only limited to postponing population transfer. In other words, by understanding the explicit and implicit legal procedures and requirements, Palestinians affected by Israeli policies may better their chances for effective resistance.