Authorities in Arab countries throughout the Middle East have rejected a proposal for Arabs who left Israel in 1948 and their descendants to renounce their so-called right to return to Israel in exchange for monetary compensation, Israel Radio reported Friday.
 
The Arab countries have refused to grant basic civil rights to the families that have lived in those countries for generations, many of whom continue to harbor dreams of "returning" to their former homes. Many Israelis view the "refugee issue" as the critical obstacle to peace in the region, fearing an influx of Arab immigrants to Israel would dwarf the Jewish majority in the country and turn it into a minority.