Palestine 2020: A Look Back

FromThis Is Palestine

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Palestine 2020: A Look Back

FromThis Is Palestine

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30 minutes

Released:

Dec 29, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Released:

Dec 29, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

'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).

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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. by This Is Palestine
13 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
43 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
28 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
74 min listen
The End of Trump: What's Next?: In today's episode hosts Omar Baddar and Diana Buttu discuss the recent U.S. election, Trump's terrible legacy on Palestine, and what the new President-Elect Joe Biden's presidency will mean for Palestine and Palestinians. by This Is Palestine
33 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
29 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
28 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
15 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
26 min listen
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 by This Is Palestine
34 min listen
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? Host Diana Buttu joins in conversation with her colleague Khader Jabbar who is filling in for Omar Baddar. by This Is Palestine
30 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
22 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
13 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
19 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
28 min listen
The Spirit of Palestine: Producing Arak Under Occupation: Host Diana Buttu is joined by Nader Muaddi. Nader is a Palestinian-American owner of Muaddi Craft Distillery that produces Arak Muaddi - The Spirit of Palestine. Nader moved to Palestine in 2007 and began distilling arak in 2018, using a traditions-old recipe and indigenous Palestinian grapes. His arak has earned him 6 awards. We will hear from Nader about how he produces arak, the impact of the Israeli occupation on his work, and his passion for the art and craft of distilling arak. by This Is Palestine
26 min listen
Israel’s Medical Apartheid: Today we will speak with Dr. Yara Asi. Yara M. Asi is a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Central Florida, where she teaches in the Department of Health Management and Informatics. She is a Fulbright Scholar to the West Bank. Her research focuses on global health and development in fragile and conflict-affected populations. She has written extensively on the impact of COVID-19 on Palestinians and her most recent op-ed on Palestinians and the coronavirus vaccine appeared in the Washington Post. by This Is Palestine
20 min listen
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 by This Is Palestine
58 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
23 min listen
From Ramallah To Project Runway To NYC: Palestinian Designer Rami Kashou: In today’s episode, we hear from Rami Kashou, a Palestinian designer based in New York. Rami Kashou was a finalist on the hit show, Project Runway, where his creativity and draping style became apparent. He even made a dress out of candy wrappers. His dresses have draped queen Rania and Hollywood celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez among others. Kashou's work has been featured in numerous magazines including Elle, Vogue, In Style, The New York Times Magazine, and Flaunt. We hear about Rami’s latest project, ARD - where Rami places traditional, Palestinian embroidery on masks made of sustainable materials. We hear about his upbringing in Ramallah, and the influence that the first intifada had on his design and on his future plans. by This Is Palestine
35 min listen
Occupation Through the Eyes of a Mayor: Host Omar Baddar sits down with the mayor of Ramallah Musa Hadid and film director David Osit to discuss their documentary film, Mayor. The film explores the dynamics of public service and international politics, Mayor offers a nuanced perspective of the Palestinian struggle for autonomy through the eyes of former civil engineer-turned-mayor, Musa Hadid. Hadid has been the mayor of Ramallah, home to 60,000 people and located in the central occupied West Bank, since 2012. The guests discuss the film's central message and describe life under occupation. by This Is Palestine
37 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
26 min listen
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! by This Is Palestine
34 min listen
Susan Abulhawa and Palestine Writes Literature Festival: This week, we will hear from Susan Abulhawa. Susan is an award-winning novelist, essayist, activist, and scientist. Her first novel, Mornings in Jenin is an international best-seller, with the book translated into 30 languages. Her most recent book Against the Loveless World was published earlier this year by Atria Books. Susan is also the co-chair of the Palestine Writes Literature Festival which will take place virtually from December 2nd to December 6th. Palestine Writes will bring together writers, artists, publishers, booksellers, and scholars to hold conversations about art, literature, and the intersections between culture, struggle, and politics. We will talk about the Festival and her latest book. by This Is Palestine
21 min listen
Where is Justice for Alex Odeh?: Alex Odeh was murdered in California more than 35 years ago for being an Arab American activist who advocated for Palestinian rights. This past Sunday, April 4th, would have been his 77th birthday. Though members of the Kahanist 'Jewish Defense League' are the primary suspects in his murder, they were never brought to justice. On this episode, host Omar Baddar speaks with Arab American Institute President James Zogby and investigative journalist David Sheen about Alex Odeh, his suspected murderers, and the prospects for justice. by This Is Palestine
35 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
25 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
38 min listen
Progressive Except on Palestine with Marc Lamont Hill & Mitchell Plitnick: In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with Marc Lamont Hill and Mitchell Plitnick to discuss their latest book, Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics including what inspired them to write it and the changes happening in the U.S. on Palestine. MARC LAMONT HILL is an award-winning journalist and the Steve Charles Professor of Media, Cities, and Solutions at Temple University. He is the author of multiple books, including the New York Times bestselling Nobody, and co-author (with Mitchell Plitnick) of Except for Palestine (The New Press). MITCHELL PLITNICK, the president of ReThinking Foreign Policy, is a political analyst and a frequent writer on the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. His past roles include vice president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, director of the U.S. Office of B’Tselem, and co-director of Jewish Voice for Peace. The book will be released on February 16th by This Is Palestine
43 min listen
Palestinian Political Prisoners and COVID-19: Host Diana Buttu speaks with Sahar Francis the General Director of Ramallah-based Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, a Palestinian NGO providing legal and advocacy support to Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli and Palestinian prisons. Sahar discusses the various measures the Israeli authorities have imposed under the cover of the coronavirus pandemic to limit access by political prisoners of legal counsel and their families and the ongoing arrests throughout the West Bank amidst the pandemic. by This Is Palestine
21 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
25 min listen

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Healing Under Genocide: Gaza's Healthcare Crisis: Over the past six months, Israel has internationally destroyed Gaza’s healthcare system as part of its genocidal campaign. By November 2023, Israel had repeatedly bombed more than 36 hospitals in Gaza. As of publishing, the Israeli military has besieged and attacked Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza for over 11 days. Horrifying reports continue to emerge of Israeli soldiers killing Palestinians sheltering inside and abducting medical workers. Additionally, Israel has blocked the entry of food, water, and medical supplies into Gaza, creating an unprecedented public health crisis and famine. At least 27 Palestinians in Gaza have died of malnutrition, 23 of them children. In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with Palestinian neurologist Dr. Karameh Hawash-Kuemmerle, about Israel’s deliberate destruction of public health in Gaza and its devastating consequences on Palestinians. In 2023, before Israel’s current genocide, Dr. Hawash-Ku by This Is Palestine
27 min listen
Confronting Genocide: Insights from the ICJ Ruling on Israel: In this episode, host Diana Buttu speaks with Palestinian human rights lawyer Ahmed Abofoul about South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), charging Israel with the crime of genocide in Gaza. Mr. Abofoul is a Legal Researcher and Advocacy Officer with Al-Haq, one of the oldest Palestinian human rights organizations. On January 26th, the ICJ ruled that Israel is plausibly committing the crime of genocide in Gaza and must take all measures to prevent acts of genocide. Since the ruling, Israel has repeatedly violated the ICJ-mandated measures, including blocking the entry of life-saving food, aid, and water into Gaza. Numerous humanitarian groups have raised alarm about Israel using starvation as a weapon in Gaza, stating that famine in Gaza is imminent due to Israel’s illegal blockade. Additionally, since the ICJ ruling, Israel has killed more than 3,500 Palestinians in Gaza, bringing the number of Pa by This Is Palestine
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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 t by This Is Palestine
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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 by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
16 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
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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 b by This Is Palestine
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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 Palesti by This Is Palestine
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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 thi by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
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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 catast by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
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The Oslo Accords Part 2: It's been 28 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. by This Is Palestine
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The Oslo Accords Part 1: It's been 28 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. by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
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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. by This Is Palestine
15 min listen
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 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. by This Is Palestine
25 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
19 min listen
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 by This Is Palestine
35 min listen
The Life of Palestinian Political Prisoner Khader Adnan: On his 86th day of hunger strike, Sheikh Khader Adnan died in Ramle Prison, where he had been held without charge 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. by This Is Palestine
20 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
52 min listen
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. by This Is Palestine
15 min listen

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Palestine 2020: A Look Back

Palestine 2020: A Look Back

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