ABSTRACT
This chapter demonstrates that Eleanor Roosevelt's visit provides an apt illustration of the key themes that typically emerged amongst this group for inspection and commentary. In the spring of 1952, she availed of the opportunity to visit the Middle East, specifically to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel to see, first hand, the status quo. The intractability of the Palestinian refugee problem was a source of frustration for Eleanor Roosevelt, who had settled on their relocation to Iraq as the optimum solution. While she was moved by the plight of the refugees, a closer analysis indicates that Roosevelt was motivated to resolve the refugee problem primarily because Israeli security was threatened by the continuing instability in the region. Given Roosevelt's steadfast interest in Israel, it is remarkable that the trip was something of an afterthought urged upon her by her Lebanese UN colleague, Dr. Charles Malik.
