This Is Palestine - podcast cover

This Is Palestine

The Institute for Middle East Understanding
'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).
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our...

Jan 21, 202231 minEp. 46

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! Thank yo...

Dec 27, 202134 minEp. 45

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Dia...

Nov 22, 202120 minEp. 44

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, f...

Nov 18, 202133 minEp. 43

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the officia...

Sep 18, 202117 minEp. 42

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: ...

Aug 25, 202125 minEp. 41

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 . Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/diana...

Aug 19, 202137 minEp. 40

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 ...

Jul 14, 202117 minEp. 39

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu....

Jul 07, 202120 minEp. 38

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 pl...

Jun 07, 202136 minEp. 37

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more i...

Jun 03, 202125 minEp. 36

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. I...

May 26, 202134 minEp. 35

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 cal...

May 15, 202117 minEp. 34

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. ...

May 11, 202119 minEp. 33

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 s...

May 03, 202123 minEp. 32

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 R...

Apr 19, 202133 minEp. 31

Where is Justice for Alex Odeh?

` Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/dianabuttu...

Apr 08, 202135 minEp. 30

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine...

Apr 06, 202127 minEp. 29

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: In...

Mar 31, 202128 minEp. 28

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 displace...

Mar 17, 202123 minEp. 27

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: https:...

Mar 09, 202115 minEp. 26

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 Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Fac...

Feb 10, 202143 minEp. 25

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? Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resourc...

Feb 04, 202130 minEp. 24

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more i...

Jan 15, 202120 minEp. 23

Palestine 2020: A Look Back

Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/dianabuttu...

Dec 29, 202030 minEp. 22

The Spirit of Palestine: Producing Arak Under Occupation

To learn more about Nader Muaddi and the Muaddi Craft Distillery, please visit: www.muaddi.com Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on: Twitter : http...

Dec 23, 202026 minEp. 21

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on: T...

Dec 02, 202021 minEp. 20

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. Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org. Stay connected with us: Instagram: https://www.instagr...

Nov 25, 20201 hr 14 minEp. 19

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 Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine , the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org . Stay connected with us: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/theIMEU Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/ F...

Nov 10, 202033 minEp. 18

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...

Oct 26, 202034 minEp. 16
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android