The definition of a refugee in international law applies clearly to the Jews from Arab lands who had “a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion”, and the UN High Commissioners for Refugees have confirmed on several occasions that the UN considered Jews fleeing persecution in Arab countries as refugees who fall under the UNHCR mandate.

In all the relevant international multilateral and bilateral agreements (UN Resolution 242, Madrid Conference, Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, Road Map for Peace), 'refugees' are referred to generically, and includes the recognition of all Middle East refugees - Jews and Arabs alike.