'This Is Palestine' is a podcast that highlights people, issues and events around Palestine. We bring you stories from the ground in Palestine, and we speak with experts and activists to bring you unique perspectives and analysis about Palestine from across the world. This podcast is a project of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU).
Gaza: World's Deadliest Place for Journalists
In this episode, we take a deeper look into Israel’s deliberate targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Killing journalists is a war crime. According to the UN, Gaza is the deadliest place in the world for journalists right now. Additionally, the International Journalist Federation has issued a statement describing Israel’s killing of Palestinian journalists over the past four months as “deliberate and systematic.”
Host Diana Buttu speaks with Anan Quzmar, a representative from the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate (PJS). They discuss the critical role of Palestinian journalists, who are not only reporting the news about Israel’s genocide but are also living it. Over the past four months, Israel has killed at least 120 Palestinian journalists. The PJS has described the conditions of Palestinian journalists in Gaza, saying, “They lost their families and they continue their work…They are without houses and they continue their work... Without food, without the security for them, without their families.”
Listen to learn more about the stories of Palestinian journalists and why they continue to remain absolute in their reporting and expose Israel’s war crimes to the world.
Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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2/12/2024 • 25 minutes, 18 seconds
The Silencing of Palestinian Students in Israeli Universities
In the aftermath of October 7, Palestinian students at Israeli higher education institutions quickly faced attacks for their social media posts. These attacks, coordinated between Israeli government officials, Israeli institutions, and far-right groups, targeted students who expressed dissent against Israel's attacks on Gaza. This led to the expulsion or suspension of students for alleged violations of university codes of conduct. In other cases, students faced criminal charges, while others were physically attacked in their dorms. It's important to note that these measures were taken while the universities were out of session, in fact, before the semester had begun, and were based solely on social media posts, unrelated to any campus activities. Some of the so-called offensive posts involved students liking or sharing a post, sometimes providing context to the October 7 events or expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In some instances, students posted calls to end Israel's attacks, while others were unrelated, such as posting verses from the Quran. In most cases, fellow students reported these posts, and the repressive measures extended beyond just these actions.
Host Diana Buttu speaks with Adi Mansour, a lawyer at Adalah, a civil rights organization for Palestinians in Israel. Adalah has represented more than 120 students facing disciplinary measures, yet there are hundreds more affected. Adi discusses with us the measures imposed on these students, the coordinated campaign against them, and the reasons behind it. We also explore the actions, or rather the inactions, of universities in addressing genocidal speech against Palestinians.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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1/31/2024 • 22 minutes, 30 seconds
Connecting Gaza To The World
On October the 27th, Israel cut off all phone and internet communications to the Gaza Strip, further plunging the area into darkness. The cutting of internet and phone communications meant that vital life-saving systems such as ambulances, rescuers, and hospitals could not be reached to treat the injured or to rescue those trapped under the rubble.
Cutting off the internet also meant that Israel's crimes would be carried out in the dark.
But in the midst of this, the volunteer initiative 'Connecting Gaza' was formed, led by Mirna El Helbawi an author and activist, who decided to set up a system for donors around the world to purchase E-SIMs or virtual SIM cards. This was to help Palestinians skirt telecommunications blackouts amid Israeli bombing across the Gaza Strip.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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1/23/2024 • 15 minutes, 59 seconds
Recap: South Africa & Israel’s Week 1 at the ICJ
The case in which South Africa accuses Israel of violating the genocide convention at the International Court of Justice began this week with oral arguments presented by South Africa and Israel.
The court will base its decisions on whether to order several provisional measures, including instructing Israel to suspend all military operations in Gaza, solely based on these hearings. Our regular host, Diana Buttu, who was part of the team that assisted in the successful litigation against Israel's Apartheid Wall before the International Court of Justice in 2004, breaks down the events of this week.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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1/13/2024 • 25 minutes, 15 seconds
South Africa Charges Israel with Genocide: What You Need to Know
This week, South Africa is accusing Israel of committing genocide in front of the International Court of Justice or the ICJ. Hearings are set to begin on January 11 and 12, when South Africa and Israel respectively will give their first oral arguments. To help us understand what this means and what we can expect as the case unfolds, we’re joined by our usual host, Diana Buttu, who happens to be a Palestinian lawyer and expert on international human rights law.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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1/11/2024 • 33 minutes, 29 seconds
Reverend Mitri Raheb: Why Christmas in Palestine is Canceled This Year
Last month, the Bethlehem municipality announced the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in the city of Christ’s birth, as a gesture of mourning and in honor of the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israel. Palestinian churches and local leaders emphasize that canceling Christmas in Palestine aims to send a message to the world and to those celebrating, highlighting that Israel is bombing the very birthplace of Christmas. They assert that if Jesus were alive today, 'he would be buried under the rubble.'
Host Diana Buttu speaks with the renowned Palestinian Reverend and Professor, Dr. Mitri Raheb. A prominent Palestinian Christian leader and co-founder of the Dar Kalima University College of Arts and Culture in Bethlehem, Dr. Raheb is one of the most widely published Palestinian reverends and intellectuals. He also leads programs supporting artists and intellectuals in Gaza, some of whom have been killed by Israel during these past 10 weeks. Dr. Raheb shares insights on the deeply rooted Christmas traditions in Palestine, including those in Gaza, and discusses how Israel, with the support of the Biden administration, is brutally bombing the very people and land that brought Christmas to the world.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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12/20/2023 • 18 minutes, 5 seconds
Hope Amidst Ruins: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta’s Frontline Testimony in Gaza
For our 100th episode, Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a renowned British-Palestinian doctor. Just two days into Israel's brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, he decided to head to Gaza to provide life-saving medical treatment to Palestinians. He remained in Gaza for 43 days, giving the world a glimpse into the impact on Palestinians and the healthcare system in Gaza through his social media accounts and interviews, highlighting the effects of Israel’s siege and bombings. As we record this, today marks the 70th day of Israel’s bombing campaign, during which more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more still under the rubble. Israeli bombs have injured an estimated 50,000 Palestinians. The UN has announced that the health system has collapsed, with infectious diseases spreading.
Dr. Abu Sitta and his colleagues have had to conduct surgeries without disinfectants, sometimes in the dark, using only the light from a cellphone. Many doctors are forced to amputate limbs without anesthesia.
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta is a multi-award-winning Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, renowned as one of the world's leading specialists in craniofacial surgery, facial aesthetics, cleft lip and palate surgery, and trauma-related injuries. His pioneering research and innovation have transformed the faces and lives of patients across the globe. Le Monde has dubbed him 'the man who fixes broken faces.' In Gaza, he and other doctors and medical workers are heroes.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
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12/15/2023 • 30 minutes, 58 seconds
Hope Amidst Ruins: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta’s Frontline Testimony in Gaza
For our 100th episode, Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a renowned British-Palestinian doctor. Just two days into Israel's brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, he decided to head to Gaza to provide life-saving medical treatment to Palestinians. He remained in Gaza for 43 days, giving the world a glimpse into the impact on Palestinians and the healthcare system in Gaza through his social media accounts and interviews, highlighting the effects of Israel’s siege and bombings. As we record this, today marks the 70th day of Israel’s bombing campaign, during which more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more still under the rubble. Israeli bombs have injured an estimated 50,000 Palestinians. The UN has announced that the health system has collapsed, with infectious diseases spreading.
Dr. Abu Sitta and his colleagues have had to conduct surgeries without disinfectants, sometimes in the dark, using only the light from a cellphone. Many doctors are forced to amputate limbs without anesthesia.
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta is a multi-award-winning Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, renowned as one of the world's leading specialists in craniofacial surgery, facial aesthetics, cleft lip and palate surgery, and trauma-related injuries. His pioneering research and innovation have transformed the faces and lives of patients across the globe. Le Monde has dubbed him 'the man who fixes broken faces.' In Gaza, he and other doctors and medical workers are heroes.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'!
Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twitter here
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12/15/2023 • 30 minutes, 58 seconds
A Palestinian Teenager’s Experience in an Israeli Prison
As of the time of this recording, Israel has temporarily halted its brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip. As part of the agreement to “pause” the bombing, Israel is releasing Palestinian kids and women held in Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israelis held in Gaza. The vast majority of those released have never been convicted. In this episode, we highlight the story of a young Palestinian teenager who was released by Israel, how and why he ended up in Israeli prisons and the treatment of the prisoners before and after the start of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
12/1/2023 • 13 minutes, 56 seconds
Former Top UN Official Craig Mokhiber on Israel’s Genocide
It has been more than 46 days since Israel began its brutal bombing campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. During this period, Israel has killed more than 14,000 Palestinians, including more than 5,500 children in Gaza alone. Thousands of Palestinians remain trapped under the rubble. The Israeli military has deliberately bombed hospitals, mosques, churches, homes, ambulances, and vital infrastructure throughout Gaza. On top of the ruthless bombing campaign, Israel has intensified its blockade on Gaza, blocking the entry of food, water, and fuel and cutting off the electricity supply. Israel has destroyed more than half of the housing units in Gaza, and two-thirds of Palestinians have now fled their homes.
In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with the former Director of the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Craig Mokhiber. Mr. Mokhiber breaks down for us how Israel's military attack against Palestinians in Gaza constitutes the crime of genocide.
On October 28, 2023, Mr. Mokhiber took the bold decision to publicly resign from his position at the U.N. for its failure to once again stop the crime of genocide. In this episode, he talks to us about how Israel's actions clearly meet the conditions for the crime of genocide, including proving intent, which is considered the most difficult to prove. We also discuss the role of countries like the U.S. and how they are directly complicit in Israel's war crimes, including genocide. We delve into why it is critical for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its repeated war crimes as a necessary step to stop its 75-year ethnic cleansing campaign against the Palestinian people.
As of publishing, a temporary pause has been brokered, which stipulates a temporary halt in Israel's bombing of Gaza for up to four days and a 6-hour pause in the north of Gaza. The specifics of the agreement state that Israel will release over 150 unjustly imprisoned Palestinian women and children in exchange for the release of 50 Israeli captives.
11/22/2023 • 35 minutes, 10 seconds
Palestine and Social Media
Time and time again, we've witnessed the familiar cycle: Israel launches a brutal bombing campaign on Gaza, putting Palestine into the global spotlight. Palestinian voices are often sidelined in mainstream discourse. So, Palestinians turn to the only available tool they have: social media. It becomes their primary means to share their stories and amplify their voices. However, this very tool is frequently subjected to censorship.
Since October 7, we've seen this censorship take on new heights. For example, WhatsApp’s AI image generator created emojis of gun-wielding children when prompted with ‘Palestinian,’ and Instagram’s AI-translation model replaced “Palestinianالحمد الله” with “Palestinian Terrorist”. Palestinian accounts are being shadowbanned and posts are throttled. But the problem, of course, is deeper than that. Palestinian voices, especially those of journalists and human rights defenders, face significant and disproportionate censorship and limited reachability in times of crisis.
Host Diana Buttu speaks with Mona Shtaya to help make sense of it all. Mona is the Campaigns and Partnerships Manager and Corporate Engagement Lead at Digital Actions. She also holds the position of a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP), where her focus lies on surveillance and digital rights in the MENA region. She also serves as a non-resident scholar for the Middle East Institute (MEI) in the Cyber Security and Emerging Technology Program and the Palestine-Israel program. Prior to her current role, she worked as the Advocacy and Communications Manager at 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media.
11/15/2023 • 22 minutes, 50 seconds
Gaza's Catastrophic Medical Crisis
Israel has been bombing the besieged Gaza Strip nonstop. Israel has cut off water supplies, fuel supplies, electricity supplies and even food and has prevented virtually all supplies from countries around the world from reaching the besieged Gaza Strip.
Israel has killed over 10,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,100 children. Additionally, thousands remain trapped beneath the rubble, desperate for help.
We shed light on the situation at al-Shifa, Gaza Strip's largest hospital, which has become both a medical center for treating the wounded and a refuge for over 40,000 Palestinians. Israel is threatening to bomb it.
Our guest, Dr. Tarek Loubani, an emergency room physician and associate professor at the University of Western Ontario, shares his firsthand experiences, including being shot by the Israeli army while treating victims during the Great Return March.
Please be advised that some of the descriptions in this episode are graphic.
11/9/2023 • 32 minutes, 3 seconds
Israel Imprisoned and Tortured Thousands of Palestinian Workers from Gaza
Note the conversation of this podcast was recorded before the developments of November 3rd. The term '48' refers to the Palestinian territories before the creation of Israel, specifically the areas that became part of Israel following the Nakba in 1948.
11/3/2023 • 22 minutes, 57 seconds
Nakba 2.0: Israel’s War on Palestinians
Today marks the 25th day of Israel's ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza. The death toll has tragically risen to over 8,525 Palestinians, including more than 3,542 children at the time of this recording. These numbers, however, don't capture the full extent of the human tragedy, such as the people killed today by Israel's bombing in the Jabilya refugee camp in northern Gaza.
In recent days, a 10-page document dated October 13, 2023, has come to light, prominently featuring the logo of Israel's Intelligence Ministry.
The document presents a comprehensive assessment of three potential courses of action concerning the future of Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip, all within the context of the ongoing conflict. Notably, it advocates for a full-scale population transfer as the preferred strategy. Furthermore, the document calls upon Israel to seek international support for this proposed initiative.
It is worth noting that the authenticity of this document has been officially confirmed by the Intelligence Ministry itself. Additionally, the document has been made available in its entirety in English on the +972 platform for further examination.
This plan has evoked comparisons to the 1948 Nakba when 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homes. Diana Buttu breaks it all down.
11/1/2023 • 28 minutes, 56 seconds
Voices From Gaza Part 2
This podcast was recorded on October 22nd. Since then, the number of Palestinians killed has increased, with Israel now having killed over 6,547 Palestinians, including at least 2,704 children. We hear from several Palestinians in Gaza and the horrific experience they are enduring.
10/25/2023 • 13 minutes, 54 seconds
Voices From Gaza
Israel gave the UN 24 hours to evacuate 1.1 million Palestinians from northern Gaza. That is impossible. Roads have been completely destroyed. Experts have warned that an Israeli ground invasion expected to follow would result in horrific mass violence against Palestinian civilians, including mass displacement. Palestinians are being told to leave, but they are completely trapped with nowhere to turn for safety.
At the time of this recording, Israel has already killed more than 2000 Palestinians, and more than 700 children since Saturday. In that time, Israel has also killed at least 12 UN workers.
We hear from several Palestinians in Gaza and the horrific experience they are enduring.
Our first story comes from a mother, Both her family and her husband’s family are refugees, a harsh reality that nearly 80% of residents in the Gaza Strip face. Now, they find themselves reliving the ordeal their grandparents endured 75 years ago during the Palestinian Nakba or catastrophe.
We now turn to Bisan, a content creator from the Gaza Strip. On a normal day, her Instagram would be filled with videos showing the beauty of Gaza and its people. However, now, her feed is documenting the daily atrocities she and the people of Gaza are facing from Israel’s attacks.
Lastly, we hear from Afaf, who made the harrowing decision to flee with her family to the southern part of Gaza after the Israeli army dropped leaflets in neighborhoods, instructing Palestinians to evacuate their homes and head south in only 24 hours. Israel’s 24-hour evacuation order for 1.1+ million Palestinians in north Gaza isn’t just impossible—it’s a war crime.
10/16/2023 • 9 minutes, 28 seconds
The Gaza Crisis: Whats Unfolding
Israel continues to rain bombs on Gaza, home to more than 2 million Palestinians—half of them children—who have been trapped there under a suffocating Israeli siege for over 16 years. With no route to safety, Palestinians in Gaza face each day with the dread of a potential airstrike on their community, unsure if their homes will remain standing by nightfall.
Host Diana Buttu welcomes her former co-host, Omar Baddar, to discuss the current violence, the US response, and what’s to come.
10/10/2023 • 29 minutes, 28 seconds
The Oslo Accords Part 2
It's been 30 years since the #OsloAccords, and Palestinians have received nothing but fewer rights, increased settler land theft, and more Israeli violence. The "peace process" was a sham. Host Diana Buttu breaks down the Oslo Accords and the legacy they left behind. Listen to part 2 of our Oslo Accords episode.
9/19/2023 • 15 minutes
The Oslo Accords Part 1
It's been 30 years since the Oslo Accords, and Palestinians have received nothing but fewer rights, increased settler land theft, and more Israeli violence. The "peace process" was a sham. Host Diana Buttu breaks down the Oslo Accords and the legacy they left behind.
9/18/2023 • 22 minutes, 3 seconds
What happened in Burqa, Nablus - Part 2
Listen to host Diana Buttu as she delves deep into a chapter of Palestinian history. Journey back to 1973, when under the cloak of night, Israeli soldiers seized a scenic hilltop near the town of Burqa, Nablus. Once a serene haven of apple orchards and mesmerizing terraces, this 173 dunam (approximately 43 acres) land, owned by Palestinians, was transformed overnight. Families who once flocked here to immerse themselves in nature's embrace suddenly found their beloved land overtaken to establish a military base, subsequently morphing into the Israeli settlement of Homesh. This episode sheds light on the resulting geopolitical divisions and the devastating impact of settler terrorism on the residents of Burqa. Join Diana for a gripping narration of how landscapes and lives can change, leaving legacies of lost connections and longing.
9/14/2023 • 12 minutes, 10 seconds
What happened in Burqa, Ramallah - Part 1
In part one of this two-part special, host Diana Buttu dives deep into the stories of two West Bank towns with identical names: Burqa. Beyond their names, these towns are united by an overwhelming challenge — the presence of Israeli settlers, soldiers, and a legal system that often appears to favor land acquisition. Our journey begins in Burqa near Ramallah. Just a few weeks ago, a tragic event took place as Israeli settlers took the life of an 18-year-old Palestinian, Qusai Mitan.
Listen as Diana speaks to Qusai's grieving family, delving into the harrowing narrative of how settlers, often backed by violence and a biased legal framework, perpetuate land seizures. But to even reach Burqa, Diana had to navigate numerous Israeli-imposed roadblocks, which have isolated Burqa from its neighboring towns. Tune in to hear firsthand accounts, raw emotions, and stories from the ground.
8/31/2023 • 12 minutes, 1 second
Israel's Judicial Overhaul Explained
In this episode, host @dianabuttu speaks with Hassan Jabareen, the founder and General Director of Adalah, a human rights organization based in Haifa that focuses on the rights of Palestinians. For more than 25 years, Hassan has litigated scores of landmark cases regarding Palestinians before the Israeli Supreme Court. Hassan explains to us how Israel’s judicial overhaul impacts Palestinians living under Israel’s rule - whether as so-called citizens or those in the occupied territory. Follow @adalah.legal.center for more information on their work.
8/10/2023 • 16 minutes, 5 seconds
Israel's Invasion of Jenin
Last week, the Israeli military began a two-day invasion in the Palestinian city of Jenin. Israeli soldiers killed 12 Palestinians—including at least 4 children—left over 100 Palestinians injured, and destroyed dozens of homes.
Most Palestinian families living in Jenin’s refugee camp were forced out of their homes by violent militias in 1948 in order to steal their land and create Israel. Their stories are ones of survival under relentless violence at the hands of Israeli occupation and apartheid. Host Diana Buttu breaks down the recent Israeli attacks on Jenin and what it all means.
7/12/2023 • 14 minutes, 30 seconds
The Occupied West Bank On Fire: Israeli Settler Violence and Annexation
Diana Buttu breaks down the escalating Israeli violence in Palestine. We've seen hundreds of Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian towns, setting homes and cars on fire. This comes on the heels of a violent invasion by the Israeli military into the Palestinian city of Jenin, which resulted in the loss of six Palestinian lives, including two children, and wounded at least 90 more. For the first time in 2 decades, Israel attacked Palestinians using a helicopter. The helicopter shot a rocket at a Palestinian refugee camp. Additionally, Israel announced plans last week to build over 4,000 illegal settlements homes on Palestinian land, signaling an unsettling intensification of the occupation. Together, these events paint a concerning picture of a far-right government escalating its daily violence against Palestinians, encouraging its citizens to participate, and stealing more Palestinian land.
6/23/2023 • 24 minutes, 56 seconds
Drawing Hope: Mohammad Sabaaneh, Renowned Palestinian Cartoonist
Join Diana Buttu as she engages in a captivating conversation with the renowned Palestinian political cartoonist and author, Mohammad Sabaaneh. Delve into the world of Sabaaneh's mesmerizing black-and-white illustrations that powerfully depict the daily oppression endured by Palestinians under Israeli occupation. In this episode, we explore the depths of Sabaaneh's award-winning graphic novel, "Power Born of Dreams: My Story Is Palestine," which chronicles his personal journey of enduring five months of imprisonment by Israel. Gain insight into Sabaaneh's life in Ramallah and his role as a professor at the esteemed Arab American University of Palestine. Prepare to be inspired by the boundless hope that resonates through Sabaaneh's art, touching hearts across the globe.
6/8/2023 • 19 minutes, 18 seconds
Rock Climbing in Palestine
In today’s episode, we hear from Palestinian American writer, podcaster, rock climber, and now filmmaker Andrew Bisharat.
Bisharat stars in the new Reel Rock 17 film, “Resistance Climbing.”The new film follows the journey of a group of Palestinian and US climbers as Bishrat explores his Palestinian identity through the world of climbing. Bisharat spoke to us about co-narrating the new documentary and what led him to join the unique project. He tells us about his emotional trip returning to his family’s home in Jerusalem and what it was like to film the experience. You can watch the new film online at watch.reelrocktour.com/videos/rr17-resistanceclimbing
5/23/2023 • 35 minutes, 14 seconds
The Life of Palestinian Political Prisoner Khader Adnan
On his 86th day of hunger strike, Sheikh Khader Adnan died in Ramle Prison, where he has been held since February 5th, 2023. On that same day, Adnan declared his hunger strike in protest of his detention by the Israeli authorities. Host Diana Buttu reflects on the life of Khader Adnan, his activism, and his unwavering commitment to his family and Palestine.
5/2/2023 • 20 minutes, 3 seconds
Palestinian Political Prisoners Part 2
This is Part 2 of our Palestinian political prisoners episodes. We speak with Dr. Malaka Shwaikh, lecturer at University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Dr. Malaka has done extensive research with Palestinian political prisoners.
It should be noted that Israel routinely uses mass incarceration as a form of political oppression. To put this in perspective, at least 1 in every 5 Palestinians has been arrested at some point in their lives, and nearly every Palestinian knows someone who has either been arrested or who is currently languishing in an Israeli prison.
5/1/2023 • 51 minutes, 40 seconds
Palestinian Political Prisoners Part 1
This is Part 1 of our Palestinian political prisoners episode. We hear from former Palestinian political prisoners, Khader Adnan and Qadura Fares, as we try to understand the physical and psychological impacts of hunger strikes, as well as their use in achieving political aims and preserving basic dignity under Israeli incarceration.
We will also speak with Dr. Malaka Shwaikh, lecturer at University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Dr. Malaka has done extensive research with Palestinian political prisoners.
4/27/2023 • 15 minutes, 6 seconds
Ahed Tamimi: A Palestinian Girl’s Fight for Freedom
Host Diana Buttu speaks with renowned Palestinian youth activist Ahed Tamimi about her new book, They Called Me A Lioness: A Palestinian Girl’s Fight for Freedom, co-written with Palestinian-American journalist, Dena Takruri. The powerful memoir shares Ahed’s courageous life story, from growing up in the Palestinian town of Nabi Saleh to being brutally imprisoned by the Israeli military at only sixteen-years-old for protecting her home and family from Israeli soldiers. Listen to this episode to learn more about Ahed’s journey and how this powerhouse Palestinian women duo came together for this compelling book.
4/20/2023 • 11 minutes, 26 seconds
Israeli Settlers Set Palestinian Town on Fire
On February 26, the Palestinian town of Huwara became the site of a violent attack by Israeli settlers, with the Israeli army watching on. Huwara is located on Highway 60, the main road connecting Palestinian towns in the military-occupied West Bank, and is one of the few remaining places where Israeli settlers and Palestinians drive on the same road. Settlers have frequently targeted the town in the hopes of forcing Palestinian residents to flee and take over the area.
In this episode, Diana Buttu dives into the details of the attack, which saw Palestinian homes, cars, and land burned down, and resulted in the death of Sameh Aqtash, a man who had just returned from helping with earthquake relief in Turkey.
3/15/2023 • 10 minutes, 19 seconds
A Palestinian Girl’s Fight for Freedom
For International Women's Day, we are thrilled to highlight the voices of powerful Palestinian women who are breaking barriers and inspiring change. Join host Diana Buttu as she speaks with award-winning Palestinian American journalist Dena Takruri about her book, co-written by renowned Palestinian youth activist Ahed Tamimi, "They Called Me A Lioness: A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom." In this compelling memoir, Ahed shares her courageous journey from growing up in the Palestinian town of Nabi Saleh to standing up against the Israeli military at just sixteen-years-old. With raw honesty and unwavering determination, Ahed's story serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of Palestinian women. Tune in to this episode to learn more about their incredible journey and how they're paving the way for the next generation of women activists.
3/6/2023 • 17 minutes, 29 seconds
Israel's Government Seeks to Limit the Powers of Its Supreme Court
In this episode, host Diana Buttu discusses Israel's extremist government and its efforts to weaken its Supreme Court. We explore the impact of this move on Palestinians, and the broader political landscape in Israel.
3/2/2023 • 28 minutes, 3 seconds
Israel's New Extremist Government
Benjamin Netanyahu is back as Israel's Prime Minister. He has formed a coalition with far-right, extremist, leaders like Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Host Diana Buttu breaks down Israel’s new right-wing, extremist government, and what this means for Palestinians.
1/20/2023 • 27 minutes, 13 seconds
The Palestinian Museum and "A People by the Sea"
On today’s episode, Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Adila Laïdi-Hanieh, Director of the Palestinian Museum. Dr. Hanieh talks to us about the museum's latest exhibition “A People by the Sea." The exhibition looks at the Palestinians from the coastal region before and after the Nakba. It displays artwork and archival footage highlighting Palestinians' vibrant culture and traditions along the Mediterranean Sea. The exhibition is on display until May 2023. You can also visit the museum's digital archive at palarchive.org
1/18/2023 • 25 minutes, 13 seconds
The Palestinian story of Farha
On today’s episode, Diana Buttu speaks with the award-winning Jordanian-of-Palestinian-origin, film director and writer, Darin Sallam. We speak to Sallam about her film, Farha, which recently made its debut on Netflix. The powerful film tells the story of the Nakba when Israeli militias expelled over 750,000 Palestinians from their land to create Israel in 1948. Darin tells us why it is important to share this story today and how after 75 years the Nakba still impacts Palestinians all over the world.
1/11/2023 • 20 minutes, 6 seconds
Palestinian soccer legend, Honey Thaljieh, and the World Cup
Honey is one of Palestine’s first professional female soccer players and was the co-founder and captain of the Palestinian Women’s National Football Team. She speaks with us live from the World Cup. She tells us what it is like to witness Palestinian solidarity at the World Cup, how she began her soccer career, forming a national team, and her work with FIFA.
12/15/2022 • 22 minutes, 48 seconds
Palestinian Who's Who: Reem Assil
You can purchase Reem Assil's cookbook here
12/5/2022 • 17 minutes, 27 seconds
Olive Harvest in Palestine
In today’s episode, host Diana Buttu, takes us on a deep dive into all things olives and their strong connection to Palestine. Diana speaks with olive expert, Dr. Osama Odeh, from the Palestinian village of Biddya, coincidentally meaning the ‘stone to crush olives.’ Dr.Osama is an electro-chemist but has spent his life learning about his first love- olives, olive oil, and their history in Palestine.
11/28/2022 • 14 minutes
Palestinian Who’s Who: Malak Mattar, Palestinian Artist from Gaza
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11/15/2022 • 18 minutes, 40 seconds
What Israel’s 5th Election means for Palestinians
Israel is going into their fifth round of elections since 2019. Host Diana Buttu breaks down what this means for Palestinians, how racist Israeli policies impact Palestinians both in Israel and the West Bank, and if we will see the return of Benjamin Netanyahu.
11/1/2022 • 20 minutes, 10 seconds
Stranger in My Own Land with Fida Jiryis
Diana Buttu speaks with Fida Jiryis about her new book ‘Stranger in my Own Land'. Fida is a writer and editor from Fassouta, in the upper Galilee, but currently resides in Ramallah. Fida writes about life as a Palestinian and the complexities within identity. She takes us on her unique and often tragic family journey, as Fida and her family were one of a few Palestinian families able to return to historic Palestine following the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993.
10/24/2022 • 14 minutes, 29 seconds
The Fight Against Israel’s Medical Apartheid
In this episode, we hear from Mohamed Hamed, the executive director and founder of the Mariam Foundation based in Nazareth. The Mariam Foundation provides assistance to Palestinian cancer patients from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, treated in Israeli hospitals. The Mariam Foundation is named after Mohamed’s sister, Mariam, who passed away at nine years old from leukemia. Mohamed vowed to devote his life and time to Palestinian children treated in Israeli hospitals. We hear from Mohamed about the work of the Mariam Foundation, and how the Mariam Foundation works to ensure that Palestinians -from the river to the sea- are afforded medical care.
9/29/2022 • 9 minutes, 22 seconds
Google’s Anti-Palestinian Racism and Project Nimbus
In this episode, we hear from Ariel Koren, a former Google employee who resigned because of a hostile work environment due to her social activism. Ariel spoke out against Project Nimbus, Google’s $1 billion artificial intelligence and surveillance contract with the Israeli military because she knew it would undoubtedly be used to harm Palestinians.
9/26/2022 • 25 minutes, 2 seconds
The Art from Dar Jacir
To support the work of Dar Jacir, please make a donation through Clockshop:Online contributions via PayPal) can be made hereChecks can be sent to: Clockshop, 2806 Clearwater Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039For bank transfers, please write us at info@darjacir.com to receive further details.Please reference ‘Contribution to Dar Jacir’ on the memo/message line.
9/15/2022 • 30 minutes, 22 seconds
Cherien Dabis and the Art of Palestinian Storytelling
Host Diana Buttu speaks with award-winning director, writer, and actress, Cherien Dabis. Cherien could be the first woman of color to win an Emmy in the “Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series” for Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, episode, “The Boy From 6B”. Cherien speaks about her Palestinian identity, how it has shaped her storytelling, and her experience in the new groundbreaking Netflix series 'MO' starring alongside Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer as his sister.
9/9/2022 • 22 minutes, 40 seconds
Palestinian Who's Who: Nujoud Fahoum Merancy
This is the first in our 'Palestinian Who's Who' series, where we highlight Palestinians doing amazing things in their respective fields. To kick us off, host Diana Buttu, speaks with Palestinian-American Nujoud Fahoum Merancy, the current NASA Chief of Exploration Mission Planning. She worked on an ambitious new mission called Artemis 1. This mission will send the first woman of color to the moon.
9/5/2022 • 13 minutes, 23 seconds
Israel's Attack on Palestinian Human Rights Orgs
On the 18th of August, Israelis conducted a raid in the middle of the night into Ramallah, breaking into the offices of Addameer, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research & Development, Defense for Children International-Palestine, the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees, Union of Agricultural Work Committee, and the Union of Health Workers Committees.
Israelis confiscated and destroyed equipment and files, and upon leaving welded the offices shut with a military order duct-taped to the door declaring them “unlawful.”
These 6 organizations work to expose Israel’s countless violations against Palestinians. They expose Israel’s crimes of Apartheid and numerous human rights abuses. The attack on the 6 is an attempt to silence and discredit the vital work they do for Palestinians and by Palestinians.
Host Diana Buttu, speaks with Sahar Francis, General Director of Ramallah-based Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Addameer is a Palestinian NGO that provides legal and advocacy support to Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli and Palestinian prisons.
8/29/2022 • 16 minutes, 34 seconds
Meet Palestinian-American Comedian Mo Amer
Today’s episode features a very special and very funny guest, Mo Amer.
A Palestinian refugee and a successful comedian with two acclaimed Netflix stand-up specials under his belt, Mo Amer will become the first Palestinian-American to have their own scripted series, titled 'MO' now streaming on Netflix. Mohammed ‘Mo’ Amer was born to Palestinian refugee parents in Kuwait before coming to the United States as a refugee himself after his family fled the Gulf War. Sharing the experience of his parents, and of the Palestinian people, has always been a huge part of Amer’s comedy, and his own identity.
At 9 years old Mo found himself in his new home in Texas and his experiences there would lead to comedy gold. He’s performed with some of the biggest names in comedy, co-stars in the Golden Globe-winning series “Ramy on Hulu, and will also be starring alongside The Rock in the upcoming DC film Black Adam and has been featured in over 100 major media outlets.
Mo, thanks so much for talking with us.
8/25/2022 • 19 minutes, 31 seconds
The Future of Gaza with Issam Adwan
In this week’s episode, host Diana Buttu, speaks with Issam Adwan, a Rafah-based journalist, researcher, and analyst. Two months ago, he became a father for the first time to a little girl named Sarah. Issam is 29 years old and, like 2 million Palestinians, he has endured the Israeli blockade on Gaza for the past 15 years. In Issam’s case, he’s lived more than half of his life under Israel’s blockade. Issam speaks about what daily life is like in Gaza, and what Palestinians experienced in the latest attack. And although there exists fear, pain, and the struggles of the occupation, he speaks to us about the love for life and happiness that exists in Gaza. To keep up to date with what is happening in Gaza, be sure to follow Issam on Twitter @Issam_Adwan.
8/22/2022 • 27 minutes, 47 seconds
Joe Biden in Palestine
Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar discuss Biden’s visit to Palestine and Israel: What was said, what was left unsaid, and what it all means.
7/16/2022 • 21 minutes, 3 seconds
Why Won't Biden Hold Israel Accountable for Killing Shireen Abu Akleh
With President Biden about to visit Palestine and Israel, we speak with Lina Abu Akleh, niece of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was murdered by the Israeli army less than two months ago. We discuss Shireen’s life, her killing, and the Biden administration’s whitewashing of this murder.
7/8/2022 • 23 minutes
Israel's Fifth Elections in Three Years
In this week’s episode, Diana Buttu breaks down the collapse of the Israeli government which has prompted Knesset elections for the fifth time in three years. Diana describes how a so-called left leaning political party voted in favour of racist laws and what the past year has looked like for Palestinians.
6/30/2022 • 24 minutes, 58 seconds
Anti-BDS Laws and the Politics Around Them
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement. Since its formal launch in 2005, the BDS movement has had a major impact on ending international support for Israeli apartheid, with companies now divesting from or not investing in Israel including companies like Ben and Jerry’s. Owing to the strength of the BDS movement in the US and in Palestine, Israel has sought to break it. To date, 33 US States have passed anti-BDS laws - laws that aim to stop individuals and companies from securing contracts if they support the BDS movement. It is in this light that the Just Vision film, titled Boycott, is made. Boycott follows the attempts to challenge these anti-BDS laws in a number of US States including Texas, Arkansas and Arizona. Today we speak with the films director Julia Bacha and Bahia Amawi.
6/9/2022 • 25 minutes, 20 seconds
Remembering Shireen Abu Akleh: A Beloved Palestinian-American Journalist Killed by Israeli Soldiers
Shireen Abu Akleh was a trailblazing Palestinian journalist who spent decades covering Israel’s brutal military occupation of Palestine.
On Wednesday, Israeli soldiers fatally shot her in the face while she was reporting on the Israeli military’s invasion of a home in the Palestinian city of Jenin. Shireen was wearing a clearly marked press vest and helmet, but Israeli soldiers shot her and fellow journalists anyway, killing Shireen and wounding others.
As an Al Jazeera correspondent born in Jerusalem, Shireen amplified the stories of Palestinians who were subjected to Israel’s brutal military occupation, its war crimes, and its everyday injustices.
5/11/2022 • 21 minutes, 19 seconds
The Story of Ahmad Manasra
This is the story of Ahmad Manasra, a 13-year-old boy, from Jerusalem, Palestine who has spent one-third of his life in an Israeli prison cell often confined to solitary confinement.
4/30/2022 • 8 minutes, 28 seconds
What’s Happening in Jerusalem Right Now?
Israeli police raided the Al-Aqsa mosque compound today as Palestinian worshippers gathered for morning prayer. At least 158 Palestinians have been injured, including journalists, medics, and the elderly. Israeli forces also arrested hundreds of Palestinians, including children. Israeli settlers are also planning to make an animal sacrifice on the Al-Aqsa compound, a holy site for Palestinian Muslims. Hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss this recent escalation of violence and what it means in the fuller context of Israel's military occupation.
4/15/2022 • 18 minutes, 37 seconds
Love Under Israeli Apartheid
This episode was originally published on July 14, 2021.
In today’s episode, we will hear from journalist and activist Joharah Baker. She discusses the hardships of being with her husband and kids under Israel’s Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
Enacted in 2003, the Citizenship and Entry into Israel law is aimed at making the process for non-Jews to acquire citizenship even more difficult than it already was. Under the 2003 law, any Israeli citizen or permanent resident who marries someone who holds a Palestinian ID - whether that person is from the West Bank or the Gaza Strip - cannot have their spouse reside in Jerusalem or in ’48 without first obtaining a permit and cannot obtain citizenship or permanent residency through their spouses.
3/31/2022 • 17 minutes, 9 seconds
Palestinians use Running to Combat Lack of Freedom of Movement
On this week's episode Diana Buttu sits down with George Zeidan, co-founder of the Right to Movement Campaign. A running group was founded as a way to challenge the lack of freedom of movement in occupied Palestine. Diana and George discuss how the Right to Movement Campaign was started, the Palestine Marathon, a bi-product of the movement, and what the future holds for grassroots movements in continuing to challenge barriers created by the Israeli occupation.
3/21/2022 • 23 minutes, 30 seconds
A Palestinian Family’s Fight to Keep Their Home in Sheikh Jarrah
In this week’s episode, Diana Buttu speaks to the matriarch of the Salem family, Fatima Salem. The Salem family has been fighting to keep their home in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where Israeli settler organizations have been pushing to have the Salem family, and others in Sheikh Jarrah, removed from their homes. We hear about Fatima’s strength and fight to keep her home against Israel’s systems of expulsion and dispossession.
3/14/2022 • 8 minutes, 40 seconds
Amnesty International Says Israel is Guilty of Apartheid
Amnesty International's new report breaks down the legal case providing that Israel is breaking international law and committing the crime of apartheid. Host Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss this new report and what it means.
2/7/2022 • 28 minutes, 37 seconds
Ethnic Cleansing in Sheikh Jarrah and the Killing of an 80-year-old Palestinian American
Diana and Omar discuss the recent escalation of violence by Israeli occupation forces, including ethnic cleansing in Sheikh Jarrah and the killing of an 80-year-old Palestinian American.
1/21/2022 • 30 minutes, 39 seconds
Palestine 2021: A Look Back
In our last episode of the year, we look back at what 2021 meant for Palestine and what 2022 may hold. From the departure of Donald Trump and the new administration of President Biden to the ousting of Netanyahu and Israel's escalation of violence in May starting with the occupied Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Hosts Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar discuss these challenges and some positive highlights that came out of 2021. Thanks for listening with us and see you in the new year!
12/27/2021 • 33 minutes, 53 seconds
Why Israel Shouldn't Break Into the US Visa Waiver Program
Host Omar Baddar sits down with Maya Berry, Executive Director of the Arab American Institute to discuss Biden's administration to include Israel in the US visa waiver program.
11/22/2021 • 19 minutes, 44 seconds
The Palestinian Herb That Became An Israeli Crime
In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with human rights attorney Rabea Eghbariah, on how foraging wild herbs, like za’atar, within Israel became a punishable offense targeted at Palestinians. After the ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948, Palestinians have been forcibly removed and separated from their land, a primary food source for most. Foraging native herbs like, za’atar, akkoub (gundelia) and marimiyeh (sage), is criminalized by Israeli political authorities. Rabea and Diana discuss, from a legal perspective, the rationale behind this criminalization is an attempt to further alienate Palestinians from their land.
11/18/2021 • 33 minutes
The Palestinian Town of Silwan
In this episode, host Diana Buttu will focus on Silwan, where Israel wants to build an Israeli religious theme park and cable car on Palestinian land, in the al-Bustan neighborhood of Silwan. She speaks with two individuals who have been impacted by Israel's ethnic cleansing of Silwan. We hear from the Governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith and Amal “Um Mahmoud '' Sumarin, who have stories that are sadly not unique to the Silwan neighborhood.
9/18/2021 • 16 minutes, 32 seconds
Belal Muhammad: A Palestinian Fighter In and Out of the Octagon
In today’s episode, Omar Baddar speaks with emerging Palestinian UFC star Belal Muhammad, a Palestinian-American mixed martial artist born and raised in Chicago. Belal talks about growing up Palestinian, the challenges inside and outside of the octagon, and the passion he has for spreading awareness on Palestine wherever he’s at.
8/25/2021 • 24 minutes, 40 seconds
Occupation Through the Eyes of a Mayor
You can watch the film The Mayor for free here till August 27th. You can follow the director, David Osit on Twitter here.
8/19/2021 • 36 minutes, 54 seconds
Love Under Israeli Apartheid
In today’s episode, we will hear from journalist and activist Joharah Baker. She discusses the hardships of being with her husband and kids under Israel’s Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law.
Enacted in 2003, the Citizenship and Entry into Israel law is aimed at making the process for non-Jews to acquire citizenship even more difficult than it already was. Under the 2003 law, any Israeli citizen or permanent resident who marries someone who holds a Palestinian ID - whether that person is from the West Bank or the Gaza Strip - cannot have their spouse reside in Jerusalem or in ’48 without first obtaining a permit and cannot obtain citizenship or permanent residency through their spouses.
7/14/2021 • 17 minutes, 9 seconds
The Palestinian Authority's Crackdown on Dissent
As Palestinians continue to protests against the killing of Nizar Banat, they have highlighted the discontent with the Palestinian Authority (PA), the body ruling small parts of the occupied West Bank that is under the overall control of the Israeli army. Hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss the PA and how they function in coordination with the Israeli occupation.
7/7/2021 • 19 minutes, 47 seconds
The Digital Occupation: Social Media Censorship of Palestinian Content
Palestinians are increasingly turning to social media to highlight what life is like under Israeli military rule. For example, weeks before Israel’s bombing campaign on Gaza, Palestinian activists in Jerusalem used social media to shine a spotlight on Israel’s ethnic cleansing of the Sheikh Jarrah community using the hashtag #SaveSheikhJarrah. What happened next, was a global movement for Palestine never seen before across social media platforms. During Israel’s bombing campaign, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok were removing, censoring, or deleting accounts that posted Palestinian content.
7amleh, a Palestinian non-profit focused on social media, has documented more than 500 reports of Palestinian digital rights violations in May alone, marking a significant increase in the censorship of Palestinian political speech and narrative online. To help us better understand what is happening, we are joined today by Marwa Fatafta, a policy analyst with Al-Shabaka.
Host Diana Buttu spoke with MENA policy manager at Access Now and Policy Analyst
at Al-Shabaka, Marwa Fatafta, about the digital oppression and censorship, Palestinians are facing in Israel and across social media platforms.
6/7/2021 • 36 minutes, 15 seconds
New Israeli Government: Now What?
Diana Buttu explains to Omar Baddar what the political dynamics within Israel are with Naftali Bennet on the verge of replacing Netanyahu, and what it all means for the Palestinian struggle for liberation.
6/3/2021 • 24 minutes, 50 seconds
Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Palestine in U.S. Politics
One week ago, Israel was ruthlessly bombing Gaza. President Biden made a stop in Michigan to give a speech at a Ford electric truck plant, near Palestinian-American Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s own district. When Biden was making his way to leave on the tarmac, Tlaib stopped him and told him how problematic the U.S. response to Israel’s devastation of Gaza was. Host Omar Baddar speaks with Congresswoman Tlaib about that moment and the growing tide of Democrats speaking up for Palestinian human rights.
In the second part of our episode hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss the latest developments in Palestine, including the mass arrests taking place in Israel targeting Palestinians and the myth of coexistence in Israel.
5/26/2021 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
A Father From Gaza
In today’s episode, we will hear from Fadi Abushammala, a community organizer based in the Gaza Strip. Fadi is also a son, a husband, and a father to three young children, ranging in age from 3 to 11.
In order to protect his family, Fadi took them to Khan Younis, in the center of the Gaza Strip, where he feels they will be safer, even though they do not have steady electricity. As they arrived to Khan Younis, the bombing started there too.
In the middle of our conversation, Fadi receives two calls from his kids, who are calling to check up on him. He says to me “Fathers are supposed to ask about and worry about their kids; not the other way around.”
5/15/2021 • 17 minutes, 1 second
What's Happening in Palestine Right Now?
Amidst all the headlines and breaking news, it can be confusing to make sense of what’s happening in Palestine/Israel right now. Israel has been escalating tensions in Jerusalem for weeks, including placing new restrictions on Palestinians marking Ramadan, violently suppressing Palestinians protesting evictions of families in Sheikh Jarrah by settlers, and soldiers assaulting worshippers in Al Aqsa Mosque. On May 10, Israel fired missiles into Gaza killing 20 Palestinians, including 9 children. Hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu make sense of all this and break it down.
5/11/2021 • 19 minutes, 28 seconds
Jerusalem and Human Rights Watch’s Apartheid Report
We have a two-part episode today! In the first part hosts Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar, discuss the recent violence by Israeli mobs in occupied Jerusalem as well as settlers' attempts at erasing Palestinians from occupied Jerusalem.
In the second part of the episode, we focus on the major new report, in which Human Rights Watch declared that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid, and calls on the world to impose sanctions on the Israeli officials responsible for upholding such a grotesque system of oppression. Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar speak with Palestine and Israel Human Rights Watch director, Omar Shakir, about the report and what it all means.
5/3/2021 • 23 minutes, 18 seconds
Groundbreaking Bill on Palestinian Human Rights
On Thursday, April 15, Rep. Betty McCollum introduced H.R. 2590 a groundbreaking Palestinian rights bill. Which aims to prohibit Israeli authorities from using U.S. funds to imprison Palestinian children, destroy Palestinian homes or steal Palestinian land. The bill is sponsored by 70+ organizations, including Justice Democrats, Movement for Black Lives, Working Families Party, Presbyterian Church USA and Jews for Racial & Economic Justice. The 13 co-sponsors of the bill include Rep. Bobby Rush, Rep. Danny Davis, Rep. Andre Carson, Rep. Marie Newman, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rep. Cori Bush, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and Rep. Chuy Garcia.
Host Omar Baddar speaks with Beth Miller, government relations manager at Jewish Voice for Peace - Action, and Brad Parker, senior adviser for policy and advocacy at Defense for Children International - Palestine. They discuss the significance of this bill and the growing power of Palestinian Grassroot movements in Congress.
4/19/2021 • 32 minutes, 37 seconds
Where is Justice for Alex Odeh?
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4/8/2021 • 35 minutes
The Kahanist Resurgence
After years of being banned from Israeli politics for their embrace of terrorism and racist violence, followers of Rabbi Meir Kahane are making a comeback and joining the Israeli Knesset (parliament), thanks in part to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's embrace of the Kahanists for political gain. Host Diana Buttu speaks with investigative journalist David Sheen about who the Kahanists are and what the implications of their resurgence will be.
4/6/2021 • 27 minutes, 20 seconds
Palestinian Film 'The Present' Nominated for an Oscar!
The Palestinian short film 'The Present' has been nominated for an academy award! Directed by Farah Nabulsi, the film powerfully shows the emotional and physical toll Palestinians endure at Israeli checkpoints. Host Diana Buttu speaks with film co-writer Hind Shoufani and young star Maryam Kanj. The film is currently available on Netflix.
3/31/2021 • 27 minutes, 49 seconds
The Ethnic Cleansing of Sheikh Jarrah
In today's episode hosts Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar speak on the ongoing ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem by Israel, particularly in the village of Sheikh Jarrah. These families will be displaced and left homeless. Diana speaks with Fayrouz Sharqawi of Grassroots Jerusalem, who provides background on why all this is happening. Omar speaks with Palestinian poet and writer Mohammed El-Kurd, whose family lives in Sheikh Jarrah and has been living with the possibility of being forcefully displaced by Israeli settler organizations.
3/17/2021 • 23 minutes, 11 seconds
The ICC and Israel's War Crimes
The International Criminal Court announced it would investigate Israel for war crimes. Israel and the United States reacted strongly against the ICC’s decision. Hosts Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar discuss what this means for Palestinians, if Israel will be held accountable, and the U.S.’s reaction to the coming investigation.
3/9/2021 • 14 minutes, 49 seconds
Progressive Except on Palestine with Marc Lamont Hill & Mitchell Plitnick
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twitter.Get a copy of Marc Lamont Hill and Mitchell Plitnick's new book: Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics here!Visit our website at www.imeu.org
2/10/2021 • 42 minutes, 41 seconds
Israeli Elections: Groundhog Day
Israel is heading into its fourth election in the last two years. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now courting Palestinian citizens of Israel voters. When just as recently in the last Israeli election, he used his platform to attack Palestinian voters to prevent them from forming a coalition. Why is this happening, what does it all mean, and how do these elections impact Palestinians?
2/4/2021 • 30 minutes, 21 seconds
Israel’s Medical Apartheid
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Follow Dr. Yara Asi on Twitter here.Read here her most recent op-ed on Palestinians and the coronavirus vaccine that appeared in the Washington Post.
1/15/2021 • 19 minutes, 32 seconds
Palestine 2020: A Look Back
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
12/29/2020 • 30 minutes, 29 seconds
The Spirit of Palestine: Producing Arak Under Occupation
To learn more about Nader Muaddi and the Muaddi Craft Distillery, please visit: www.muaddi.comFollow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
12/23/2020 • 26 minutes, 19 seconds
Susan Abulhawa and Palestine Writes Literature Festival
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.To learn more about Susan Abulhawa here. To check out the Palestine Writes Literature Festival click here.
12/2/2020 • 20 minutes, 57 seconds
The Weaponization of Anti-Semitism
From Pompeo's attack on BDS to the battle for free speech on college campuses, anti-Semitism is being weaponized to silence criticism of Israel and stifle advocacy for Palestinian rights. Omar Baddar speaks with Diana Buttu, Lara Friedman, and Roua Daas about this crisis of free expression and political speech.
11/25/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 22 seconds
The End of Trump: What's Next?
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more information on Palestine! Or visit our website at www.imeu.org. Keep up with our hosts Omar Biddar on Twitter @OmarBaddar and Diana Buttu at @dianabuttu
11/10/2020 • 33 minutes, 22 seconds
The Presidential Election and the Impact on Palestinians
Palestinian-American organizer Linda Sarsour and USCPR Executive Director Ahmad Abuznaid discuss the upcoming U.S. presidential election, including its impact on progressive organizing, the Palestinian-American community and policy towards Palestine, with host Omar Baddar. Sarsour has been active on a wide range of progressive issues and is the author of a new book: We Are Not Here To Be Bystanders. Prior to heading the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Abuznaid was the co-founder of Dream Defenders, which organizes black and brown youth to build power in communities of color.
10/28/2020 • 32 minutes, 14 seconds
20th Anniversary of the 2nd Palestinian Intifada
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the start of the Second Palestinian intifada or uprising, an uprising sparked when Likud Party leader Ariel Sharon visited the Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem under heavy guard to assert Jewish claims to the site. Party members and 1,000 Israeli riot police accompanied him. To crush protests, Israeli forces used live fire, killing 50 Palestinians in the first week alone, including 13 Palestinian citizens of Israel. Some were shot in the back.
Under the guise of the intifada, Israel ramped up its policy of home destruction, it tightened its closure regime, cutting off the Gaza Strip from the West Bank, and Israel resumed its assassination policy. Israeli forces invaded Palestinian cities and towns, carrying out mass arrests and using Palestinian as human shields.
To discuss the intifada, host Diana Buttu speaks with colleague Amanda Saadeh and veteran Palestinian journalist Nidal Rafa. Nidal was a freelance journalist who worked for a number of US news media outlets during the second intifada. We will hear from Nidal about her experiences during the intifada, her memories and her feelings about it. Amanda also turns the mic on me, asking me about my experiences during the intifada.
10/26/2020 • 33 minutes, 34 seconds
Bahraini Activist and Human Rights Defender Maryam Al-Khawaja
Host Diana Buttu speaks with Bahraini human rights activist Maryam Al-Khawaja about her pro-democracy work in Bahrain, her country’s normalization deal with Israel, and Bahraini solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
10/9/2020 • 22 minutes, 29 seconds
The Ravages of COVID-19 in Palestine
COVID-19 is spreading quickly in the West Bank as Gaza goes on a tight lockdown. With Israel having one of the highest infection rates in the world, the impact on Palestine is devastating and the disparity in resources between occupier and occupied is impacting policy. Hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu, along with Ramallah-based Amanda Arraf-Saadeh from the IMEU team, discuss the reality on the ground in Palestine and what life is like.
9/29/2020 • 24 minutes, 58 seconds
The Israel/UAE Deal and What it Means for Palestine
Hosts Diana Buttu and Omar Baddar break down what the recent normalization of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel means and specifically how it impacts Palestinians.
8/21/2020 • 26 minutes, 10 seconds
From Ramallah To Project Runway To NYC: Palestinian Designer Rami Kashou
For more information and to purchase these hand-made masks, please visit www.ramikashou.com. You can also follow him on Instagram at @ramikashou.
8/20/2020 • 35 minutes, 17 seconds
Controlling Palestinian Bodies in Life and Death
Diana Buttu speaks with Sawsan Zaher, an attorney at Adalah, a Haifa-based organization that promotes the rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel, about the July 22 Israeli Supreme Court hearing in which she sought the release of Ahmad Erakat's body.
Ahmad Erekat was killed by Israeli soldiers over a month ago at a checkpoint. Israel continues to hold onto the body of Ahmad, denying his family their right to bury him and say their final goodbyes. Israel has a long history of post mortem punishment of Palestinians. Whether by holding onto Palestinian bodies, burying them in unmarked graves, or degrading handling of their remains. Over the decades, we’ve seen that Israel has enacted various policies of withholding Palestinian bodies and imposing restrictions on funerals, as a means of punishment and control, even in death.
7/23/2020 • 14 minutes, 53 seconds
Ahmad Erekat and Israel's 'Shoot to Kill' Policy
On June 23, Israeli soldiers shot Ahmad Erekat after he got into a car accident at a checkpoint. It was his sister’s wedding day. The soldiers denied Ahmad medical assistance for over an hour, leaving him to bleed to death on the street. Host Omar Baddar is joined by Ahmad Erekat’s cousin and Palestinian American human rights attorney and scholar Noura Erakat, and by Ahmad's older brother, Faisal Erekat. Noura discusses the context of Ahmad's killing and Israel's 'shoot to kill policy' and Israel's practice of holding onto the bodies of Palestinians they have slain and keeping them from their families. Faisal talks about who Ahmad was, and about the impact of his loss on the family.
7/14/2020 • 38 minutes, 6 seconds
The Killing of Eyad Hallaq
Eyad Hallaq, 32, was on his way to a school for special needs students in the historic Old City of Jerusalem on May 30 when Israeli soldiers shot and killed him. Hallaq's killing has sparked protests across the West Bank because the victim had autism. The eyewitness, his school counselor Warda Abu Hadid, told local media she shouted to the Israeli officers, "he's disabled," as the wounded Hallaq shouted, "I'm with her." Host Diana Buttu sits down with the family of Eyad Hallaq and learns about who he was, how he lived, and ultimately how he was killed.
7/2/2020 • 13 minutes, 9 seconds
A Turning Tide in U.S. Politics Towards Israel?
Host Omar Baddar speaks with Dr. James Zogby, co-founder and President of the Arab American Institute. Zogby has served on the Democratic National Committee since 1992 and was a member of the DNC's Executive Committee for 16 years. Omar also speaks with Matt Duss, foreign policy advisor to Senator and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. They discuss the emerging change in the Democratic Party towards Israel and Palestine, including what policy might look like in light of impending annexation.
6/15/2020 • 42 minutes, 54 seconds
Palestinian Political Prisoners and COVID-19
View transcript here.
6/11/2020 • 20 minutes, 40 seconds
Black in America
In this episode of 'This Is Palestine,' we shift our focus to the protests that have swept the nation, sparked by the tragic murder of George Floyd by police officers on May 25. We hear from three distinct Black American voices as they discuss systemic racism and what it means to be Black in America.
First, we hear from Mychal Denzel Smith, author of the forthcoming Stakes is High: Life After the American Dream and New York Times bestseller Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, New Republic, The Nation, and more. In 2014 and 2016, TheRoot.com named him one of the 100 Most Influential African-Americans in their annual The Root 100 list. Mychal navigates us through this moment and what it means, what's different about it now, and why defunding the police is vital to gaining justice.
Next, we hear from Kinjo Kiema and Khury Petersen-Smith, who speak in conversation with one another about this moment and connections to global solidarity.
Kinjo Kiema is an organizer with BYP100, a Black queer feminist organization working to create justice and freedom for all Black people. She is also a leader in the reproductive justice movement, and has organized within the labor and student movements, including with Students for Justice in Palestine.
Khury Petersen-Smith is the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C. Petersen-Smith has been a leading activist for internationalist solidarity, economic justice, and racial and gender equality since he was a high school student. He traveled to Iraq in 2004 on a United for Peace and Justice delegation where he represented the Campus Anti-War Network.
6/6/2020 • 57 minutes, 48 seconds
On the Brink of Annexation
With Israel's plan to formally annex parts of the West Bank expected only a few weeks from now, we speak with Palestinian American political analyst Yousef Munayyer about the significance of this moment, and the road forward for the Palestinian struggle for justice.
5/29/2020 • 28 minutes, 57 seconds
My Nakba Story - Salman Abu Sitta
Host Diana Buttu speaks with Salman Abu Sitta. A Palestinian researcher most known for his ground-breaking project mapping historic Palestine and developing a practical plan for implementing the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Salman Abu Sitta shares his family's Nakba story and what moving forward looks like.
5/27/2020 • 12 minutes, 52 seconds
Abbas, CIA and Israel, Oh My!
Host Omar Baddar speaks with Khaled Elgindy, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, adjunct professor at Georgetown University and author of "Blind Spot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump". Omar and Khaled discuss Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's recent announcement that Palestinians would no longer be bound by all agreements signed between the Palestine Liberation Organization and both Israel and the US, including an end to information sharing with the CIA. Khaled tells us what all this means and if it really means anything at all.
5/22/2020 • 25 minutes, 56 seconds
My Nakba Story
This week marks the 72 anniversary of what is known to Palestinians as the 1948 'Nakba' or the 'catastrophe'. Where 750,00 Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their homeland for the creation of Israel. In this special episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with her father, Mohamad Buttu, a survivor of the Nakba. Mohamad speaks on what happened to his family during the Nakba, from having to flee his home, being separated from his mother and siblings, and being smuggled back into Palestine.
5/15/2020 • 27 minutes, 39 seconds
New Israeli Government, Annexation Plans, and The Impact of COVID-19
Hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss the formation of a new Israeli coalition government after the chaotic roller coaster of 3 Israeli elections over the last year. What does this mean for Palestinians? Where does Israel's illegal annexation plan go from here? And what's the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the ground? For answers, check out this bonus episode.
4/23/2020 • 28 minutes, 4 seconds
Palestinians and COVID-19
Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a physician, human rights advocate, and member of the Palestinian parliament based in the occupied West Bank. Dr. Barghouti heads the Palestine Medical Relief Committee. Along with a team of hundreds of volunteers, Dr. Barghouti has been on the front lines providing assistance to Palestinians during the COVID-19 pandemic.