Is it older than Israel?

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 194 on 11 December 1948, three months after Lehi shot the mediator whose work it drew on. Its eleventh paragraph "resolves that the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbours 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".

Israel was admitted to the United Nations in May 1949 after undertaking to abide by it. The General Assembly has reaffirmed the resolution every year since. No refugee has been allowed to return under it.