A peculiar, indiscernible smell reigns in the Middle East’s most notorious Palestinian refugee camp: the odor of deep sorrow mixed with devastating poverty. But the residents of Ain al-Hilweh are known for a rare kind of optimism and a smile that never abandons their faces. Wearing the typical Palestinian outfit, a linen abaya and the legendary keffiyeh on the head, Hajj Abu Mahmoud laments the camp’s deplorable situation, which he blames on the dominant factions. “The situation in Lebanon now is no better,” he adds.

As he recalls the plight of Palestinians and how he was forced to leave his village of Sheikh Daoud, on the outskirts of Akka, he mentions “the conspiracies and schemes” certain Arab countries have reserved for the Palestinian cause.

Now Abu Mahmoud blames any security incident or tension inside Ain al-Hilweh on Islamist factions.

“I don’t trust them they have distorted the true essence of Islam,” says the old man, who refuses to shake hands with women.

Yet the 70-something Abu Mahmoud is hoping that unity among the Palestinian refugees of Ain al-Hilweh will safeguard the camp and preserve stability. “Our unity is the most effective weapon,” he says.

Established fighter Abu Jaafar says it was the legitimate right of Palestinian refugees to carry weapons. “We don’t use those weapons to take part in the Sunni-Shiite power struggle in Lebanon. We have nothing to do with that,” he explains, his toddler sitting on his lap. “We carry those weapons because we reject naturalization and want to go back home.”

Abu Jaafar hopes that tension in Lebanon will not spill over to Ain al-Hilweh. “But if a battle is imposed on us we will fight,” he adds.

In the 90,000-people strong Ain al-Hilweh, bitter feelings against successive Lebanese governments which have failed to provide refugees with their most basic rights abound.

Member of Ain al-Hilweh’s Follow-up Committee Fouad Othman slams Lebanese authorities as “racist.” “Whether it’s March 8 or March 14 dominated Cabinets we get the same treatment.”

Activist Fadi Hujeir, who explains that Palestinian refugees refuse to interfere in Lebanon’s domestic affairs, says that Lebanese authorities would receive a warm welcome if refugees were granted their rights and treated humanely.

“When social justice is applied we will welcome and support Lebanese authorities,” Hujeir continues.