LIVING IN LIMBO - BOSNIAN MUSLIM REFUGEES IN ISRAEL

Challenging the idea that all refugees need to reestablish a new home in their country of refuge in order to avoid social disorganization an d collective tosses of identity and self-worth, this article shows tha t Bosnian Muslim families in Israel maintain family cohesion and their ethno-national identity while they live in limbo. This limbo, however , is relatively secure and stable, and due to the policies of the Isra eli government, is family and work oriented, ensuring that Bosnian fam ily heads can provide for their children, maintain gender complementar ity within the household, and play out their hope that the war will en d soon. Unlike their counterparts in refugee camps, Bosnian refugees i n Israel have not become dependent or typified by the malaise and soci al disorganization that often accompanies displacement. The article en ds by suggesting that the policy of creating limbo, rather than forcin g long-term commitment to a new country, may indeed prevent cultural c lashes and social problems, especially among war-torn refugees.