The following paper addresses the issue concerning relations between the Palestinian
diasporas (al-shatat) and Palestinian society in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, within the
historical context in which diasporas were formed (ethnic cleansing, military colonial
occupation, statelessness, etc). It situates relations between the shatat communities and
communities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip within their regional and international
socio-economic and power relations. The paper formulates preliminary hypotheseis on
the political, economic and cultural impact of relations of the diaspora and immigrant
communities on the home society.