ChChapter 2: Origins and influences of nationality law As already indicated above, the Palestinian situation is complex and has many dimensions to it. One of these dimensions is the effect of large-scale and protracted displacement on the nationality policy of the receiving states. In other words, the impact that the presence of hundreds of thousand Palestinian refugees in countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Syria85 on the regulation of, in particular, acquisition of Jordanian, Lebanese and Syrian nationality. While there are plenty of other countries in the region and around the world which have also found themselves serving as a refuge to large displaced populations, the Palestinian situation is one of the world’s most long-standing and entrenched refugee caseloads.86 Moreover, more than many other refugee situations, the political dimension of the Palestinian problem also weighs in heavily. Thus, the various host countries have been reluctant to allow the Palestinian population within their territory the chance to acquire nationality, due both to the demographic impact this would have – i.e. the effect on the make-up of the body of nationals – as well as the belief that this may undermine the Palestinian cause by affecting claims 85 - In 2010 – before the Syrian crisis – the number of Palestinian refugees registered in each country was: Jordan – 1.99 million; Lebanon – 455,000 and Syria – 496,000. See UNRWA, Statistics 2010, November 2011, available at: http:// www.unrwa.org/userfiles/2011120434013.pdf. 86 - Consider, for instance, also the unique arrangements for the support of this population through a dedicated UN Agency: UNRWA. 69