Figure 6.17 Refugee spaces in the Middle East. Civilians fleeing armed conflict that accompanied the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 produced a new political geography of refugee settlements in the region. The United Nations continues to administer 58 semipermanent refugee camps in four countries. Civil and legal rights for the 1.4 million camp residents vary greatly from country to country. (Source: http://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work.)