This General Assembly Resolution was adopted on December 11, 1948 in order to deal with the rapidly growing crisis of
Palestinian refugees. The resolution states that "the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return and for loss of or damage to property which, under principles of international law or in equity, should be made good by the Governments or authorities responsible."
Israel rejected the resolution from the outset. It is considered the legal basis for the Palestinian claim to the "
Right of Return." See "
MidEast Web Historical Documents: UNGA 194," MidEast Web.