FREE PALESTINE POD

Today on the show, we welcome the globally recognized and one of the most iconic and distinguished Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour who is well-known as a pioneer in Arab art with his exceptional and comprehensive portfolio revolving around the continued revival of Palestinian identity, as it captures images rooted in the land, its people, and its struggle against the occupation. Mansour is also an illustrator, art instructor and author and has contributed greatly to art education and promotion in the Palestinian territories and resides in the heart of occupied Jerusalem.
We discuss Mansour's childhood, having been born in Birzeit in 1947, a
year before the Palestinian Al Nakba, the catastrophe, and how that period shaped and inspired his passion for the arts.
We also discuss his recollections of having witnessed and lived through the 1967 day war and illegal occupation of the West Bank, that saw the displacement of hundreds of thousands of additional Palestinians, and how this tumultuous period resonated through his art and the evolution of his creative expression?

We delved into the contemporary art scene in central Europe and the lack of Levantine art representation both in museums and galleries in the West and Mansour's views on how Palestinian artists can penetrate Western art spaces and correct the narrative of our existence?

We discuss Mansour's role as a pivotal cultural leader that has contributed greatly toart education and promotion across the Palestinian territories and as co-founder of the Wasiti Art Center in Jerusalem and the state of the current state of the art scene across Palestine.

We delved into what Sliman hopes resonates with people who view his art vis a vis Palestine and ways to support emerging Palestinian artists, and Mansour's hope that new Palestinian artists choose to stay true to their identity through their art, that is rooted in our land, culture and heritage as a way to re-inforce our existence as Palestinians and showcase the beauty of our identity and culture to a global audience.

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On today's show, Issa Amro and Adam Broomberg join us as we discuss the deteriorating situation on the ground, Israeli elections, Jewish supremacy, increase in illegal settler violence and Palestinian solidarity and activism. Issa Amro is a well-known Palestinian Activist based in Hebron and is founder of Youth Against Settlements. Adam Broomberg is a well-recognized South African artist, activist and educator.

In the session, Adam and Issa share their thoughts on the escalation of Israeli army and settler violence in Hebron and across the occupied territories, Israeli elections and new far right government that includes open fascists, 2018 Nation State Law, the two-separate sets of laws that Palestinians and Illegal settlers live under, within the occupied territories, apartheid conditions, Palestinian solidarity and Jewish supremacy.

Tune in for more!

Key Points

• Issa’s thoughts on the deteriorating situation on the ground in the occupied West Bank and the new Israeli elections that has brought into power the most far right extremist fascist government in Israel’s history.
• Adam discusses his recent visit to Hebron and the cozy relationship between illegal Israeli settlers and the occupation army, including the increase in settler violence within Hebron including the attack on him, Issa by a group of settlers and the destruction of property.
• Issa discussed the increase in Israeli settler violence across the West Bank and to no accountability and there are two sets of laws, with Palestinians under Israeli military law, while illegal Israeli settlers are under Israeli civilian law. And, the Israeli military declaring his Youth Against Settlements Center as a closed military zone.
• Adam discusses Jewish supremacy, being a third generation Holocaust survivor himself, growing up in South Africa as an anti-apartheid activist, his first-hand experience with apartheid activist and his conclusion that what is happening in Hebron and the occupied territories is far worse than apartheid in South Africa, including the passing of the 2018 Nation State Law that legalizes Jewish supremacy.
• A moment of hope for Palestinians as they are organizing themselves in resistance in arms & popular struggle in response to Israel's desire to expand control and push Palestinians to surrender.
• Adam discusses the worsening situation and the Israeli elections and the gains by the fascist Itamar Ben Gvir party, is like putting a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the Senate, with his hood on.
• Issa discusses the occupation and apartheid conditions that hinder every aspect of daily life for Palestinians in Hebron and across the occupied territories, that includes checkpoints, segregated roads, areas that Palestinians have no access to, confiscation of property, closure of shops and increase in army and settler violence, as a concerted effort to ethnically cleanse Palestinian residents from Hebron.
• Adam discusses Anti-Semitism, Zionism and colonialism and the state of Israel becoming the most dangerous thing for world Jewry.
• Issa discusses Palestinian solidarity, on the ground resistance peace activists visiting his center and undergoing tours, advocacy, rallies in Hebron to raise awareness, and the key role played by activists from across the globe, including progressives and celebrities in raising awareness to the Palestinian narrative for liberation and justice.
• Issa shares his thoughts for an alternative to the Palestinian Authority within the younger generation of Palestinians, that are capable of leading and desire to participate in the decision-making process and within democratic means.

Episode One with Noura Erakat

On today's show, Noura Erakat joins us as we discuss the detteoriating situation on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories, Zionism, Palestinian activisim and update on Ahmed Erakat. Noura is a well-recognized Palestinian American activist, university professor, human rights attorney, and author of the acclaimed book Justice for Some: Laws and the Question of Palestine.

In the session, Noura shares her thoughts on the escalation of the ongoing Israeli violence in the occupied Palestinian territories, new travel restrictions on Palestinians and foreigners planning a short term or long term visit to Palestine & silent deportations within the West Bank, and the waiver program for Israeli citizens to enter the US without VISA while Palestinians in America are not being afforded the privilege. Additionally, she delves deep into Zionism as a racist ideology, why the ICC is between a rock & a hard place in prosecuting Israel, building a global Palestinian solidarity movement with people facing similar challenges in their bid for freedom as well as her cousin Ahmed Erakat's body still being held in Israel as ransom.

Tune in for more!

Key Points

● Noura’s thoughts on the ongoing Israel structural violence that characterizes the life of Palestinians.

● A moment of hope for Palestinians as they are organizing themselves in resistance in arms & popular struggle in response to Israel's desire to expand the entrenchment of its occupation, apartheid and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

● Zionism as a racist ideology & insatiable appetite for Palestinians' territory & dispossession.

● Noura’s thoughts on the new 90-page Israeli plan that imposes draconian restrictions on Palestinians, including visitors, volunteers, professionals & spouses entry and stay, short term or long term within the Western Bank and a ban on family reunifications, to further control and isolate Palestinians.

● American activists work to challenge and resist the granting of the Israeli waiver program to enter the US, since Palestinians in America are not afforded the same privilege when returning to Palestine.

● Zionists, including leading US figures, proudly professing allegiance and support for Zionism, a racist ideology.

● The ICC is between a rock & hard place in prosecuting Israel and a double standard in place.

● Noura’s take on why the US, Europe & the world are so motivated and successful in mobilizing support for the Ukrainian crisis and yet the Palestinians have been facing a similar crisis since 1948.

● Racism & Colonialism combine to do three things: make the powerful aggressors victims, blame victims for harm done to them & insist they got what they deserved.

● Overcoming Colonialism through solidarity with people going through the same struggles and facing similar challenges in their bid for freedom.

● Update on Noura's cousin Ahmed Erakat's who was shot six times above his waist & Israeli is still holding his body as ransom.

Quotes

● “The ICC is between a rock & a hard place. If it doesn’t prosecute Israel, it basically condemns itself & exposes its futility and how it’s subject to power. If it does prosecute Israel, it’s also in a hard place because its largest contributors, including the United States, will cease to support it.”

● “Israel did not become a Frankenstein, but it was established on the discriminatory racial concept of exclusion & racial supremacy.”

● “The failure to recognise how bad it is the internalization of Zionism that basically renders Palestinians as sacrificial lambs to at

Note: Episode was recorded prior to 7th October 2023.
In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Nadim Nashif, exective director and co- founder of 7amleh: The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, a Palestinian digital rights organization dedicated to defending Palestinian digital rights online and amplifying Palestinian voices on the internet and social media platforms.
We delve into the various tactics employed by the Israeli government and digital and social media oganizations to suppress these voices, discussing legislative efforts and the impact on free speech.

Nadim sheds light on the Israeli government's strategies to suppress Palestinian voices online, including the introduction of legislation enabling the Israeli cyber unit to prosecute violators. These measures aim to control and manipulate the narrative surrounding Palestine within Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
We explore the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) new definition and its use in attacking and censorship of any voices critical of Israeli policies. Nadim highlights the adoption of this definition by governments and social media companies operating in Europe, effectively preventing criticism of the Israeli government and suppresing, blocking resulting in the removal of Palestinian content.

Our discussion delves into the biases exhibited by social media companies, particularly X and Meta. Despite Meta establishing an oversight board for content moderation, a clear bias towards Palestinian content is evident, leading to suppression, removal, and shadow banning. This contrasts starkly with the treatment of content critical of Israel which is rarely moderated.

Nadim provides valuable insights on digital rights and cybersecurity. 7amleh supports activists and Palestinian civil society by offering guidance on safeguarding online information and privacy and in re enabling disabled accounts. The organization assists activitis and civil socity in providing them resources to counter various digital security threats to safeguard their work.

We address the issue of misinformation generated by artificial intelligence. Nadim highlights biases in AI-generated content, emphasizing the importance of pushing for positive, accurate narratives. We discuss the need to counter smear campaigns that undermine the credibility of Palestinian content online.

Our conversation delves into Meta's oversight board and its policies, which display a noticeable bias towards Israeli interests. We explore the direct coordination between Meta and Israeli cyber units, raising concerns about fair content moderation.

Nadim offers crucial advice to content creators, emphasizing the importance of diversifying platforms. He recommends maintaining an independent website alongside social media accounts to mitigate the risk of shutdowns. Archiving content securely is also emphasized.

This episode provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Palestinian voices in the digital sphere. Nadim Nashif and 7amleh's efforts to combat online suppression and promote digital rights serve as a beacon of hope for activists and content creators alike and we highly recommend activists and individuals learn more and connect with 7amleh in order to keep their accounts safe and to report any concerns and issues faced online, directly to 7amleh.
Guest: Nadim Nashif, Executive Director and Co-Founder, 7amleh

Connect with 7amleh:
Website: https://7amleh.org
X: @7amleh
Instagram: @7amleh
Co-Hosts:
Lama Bazzari
@cravingpalestine
@lamabazzari
Lina Hadid
@linahadid
@palestinelobby
Listen to full episode wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube and follow @freepalestinepod on Instagram and YouTube
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In this episode, we had the privilege of hosting Dr. Aida Essaid, Director General at Taawon (Welfare Association). We delved deep into the critical Gaza relief efforts and the dire humanitarian situation unfolding on the ground and Taawon's immediate mobilization and on the ground efforts kicked off immediately in aid of the local population.

Dr. Aida provided invaluable insights into the rich history of the Welfare Association and its longstanding commitment to Gaza and Palestinian refugees residing across the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan. The organization has been directly involved in relief efforts and has collaborated closely with civil society organizations in Gaza, spanning crucial areas from supporting hospitals to advancing education and empowering youth.

We discussed Taawon's Orphans Funds, Mustaqbali and Wajd, two remarkable initiatives that have supported over 4000 orphans in Gaza. These funds not only address their educational needs but also focus on their overall development, health, and well-being. Dr. Aida revealed that a revamped Orphans Fund will soon be launched, taking into account the anticipated rise in orphans resulting from the current war in Gaza. The aim is to provide comprehensive support to these vulnerable children until they reach 22 years of age.

Dr. Aida shed light on Taawon's short-term and long-term goals in Gaza. In the immediate, they are dedicated to delivering crucial supplies like fuel, water, food, and other essentials to those affected on the ground.
Visit www.taawon.org to learn more and to donate to their critical Gaza Relief Fund.

Guest: Dr. Aida Essaid, Taawon, Welfare Association
Instagram: @tawoonpalestine

Co-Hosts:

• Lama Bazaari
  Instagram: @cravingpalestine, @lamabazzari
• Lina Hadid
  Instagram: @linahadid, @palestinelobby

Follow, like, rate, and review the Free Palestine Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also find us on YouTube. Stay connected by following our Instagram page: @freepalestinepod.