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This Is Palestine

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).
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Top 10 This Is Palestine Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best This Is Palestine episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to This Is Palestine for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite This Is Palestine episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

As the ceasefire in Gaza goes into effect, the Israeli army has launched widespread attacks against the West Bank. In this episode of “This is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks with IMEU’s Sarah Abu Alrob about the ceasefire agreement breaking down what is means for Palestinians. The episode also delves into the Trump’s administration's actions giving Israel the green light to fully illegally annex the West Bank.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
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As Israel pushes to dismantle UNRWA, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees face an uncertain future. In this episode, we visit Al Jalazon refugee camp to hear from Mahfouz Safi, whose family was forcibly expelled from Beit Nabala in 1948 by Zionist militias. Through his story—and the voices of his sister, Jihad, we uncover the far-reaching impact of Israel’s crackdown on the agency that has provided education, healthcare, and aid to millions for over seven decades. As we explore the history of displacement and the role of UNRWA, two questions emerge: What’s at stake if UNRWA disappears? And who will step in when an entire population is left without support? Please note that the voices you will hear are not those of Jihad and Safi. Our interviews with them were conducted in Arabic. To make their powerful stories accessible to a wider audience, we have translated and rerecorded their words using English-speaking voice actors.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
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In this two-episode special, host Diana Buttu speaks with award-winning Palestinian-American writers Fady Joudah and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, who are both finalists for the 2024 National Book Awards. Dr. Joudah and Ms. Tuffaha comprise two of the only five shortlisted writers for the 2024 National Book Award in Poetry, making this a foundational cultural honor for the Palestinian literary community and beyond. As Palestinians continue to endure Israel’s genocide and defy cultural erasure, Joudah and Tuffaha discuss literature as a foundational tool of cultural resilience. The two notable writers also expand on the meaning of the Book Award nominations, not just for themselves but for all Palestinians and oppressed communities around the world. Dr. Joudah is nominated for his powerful collection of poetry, entitled, “ [...].” published by Milkweed Press. Joudah’s nominated work is described as an “urgent and essential collection of poems illuminating the visionary presence of Palestinians.” Joudah reminds us “Wonder belongs to all.” Fady Joudah is the recipient of multiple literary awards, including the 2024 Jackson Poetry Prize and more. New York Literary critics have said that Joudah’s poetry “thrives on dramatic shifts in perspective, on continually challenging conceived notions.” Along with being a multi-award-winning writer, Joudah is an internal medicine doctor. 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
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In this two-episode special, host Diana Buttu speaks with award-winning Palestinian-American writers Fady Joudah and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, who are both finalists for the 2024 National Book Awards. Dr. Joudah and Ms. Tuffaha comprise two of the only five shortlisted writers for the 2024 National Book Award in Poetry, making this a foundational cultural honor for the Palestinian literary community and beyond. As Palestinians continue to endure Israel’s genocide and defy cultural erasure, Joudah and Tuffaha discuss literature as a foundational tool of cultural resilience. The two notable writers also expand on the meaning of the Book Award nominations, not just for themselves but for all Palestinians and oppressed communities around the world. Ms. Tuffaha is nominated for her compelling book of poetry, “Something About Living,” published by the University Akron Press as part of the “Akron Series of Poetry.” The nominated text explores Palestinian life through the lens of the American language, revealing a legacy of obfuscation and erasure. Lena Khalaf Tuffaha is a multi-award-winning poet, essayist, and translator who has authored three acclaimed books of poetry, translated award-winning plays, and published a range of literary essays, chapters, and more. 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
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As we approach 2025, Israel continues to bomb, attack, and occupy the birthplace of Christmas. This year, church officials have shared that Christmas services across Palestine will be somber and highlight the call to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Experts are even warning that Israel’s genocide against Palestinians could lead to the elimination of the Palestinian Christians in the Gaza Strip. Before the genocide, there were between 1,000 - 1,700 Palestinian Christians in Gaza. Following Israel’s relentless attacks, less than 600 Palestinian Christians remain. Over the past year, Israel has destroyed the homes of nearly every Palestinian Christian family in Gaza. The majority of the Palestinian Christians continue to take shelter in the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, both in Gaza City. Israel has repeatedly bombed both churches.

In this episode, Diana Buttu spoke with Rev. Dr. Isaac about Israel’s increasing attacks on the Palestinian Christian community throughout all of Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza. They discussed how these attacks are a part of Israel’s broader genocidal campaign and objective to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land.

In a recent interview, Rev. Isaac said Israel has created “completely unlivable” conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank. He also posted a photo of the Israeli army building an additional checkpoint cutting off the city of Bethlehem from other key Palestinian cities. He described the photo with the caption: “Another gate installed by the Israeli military at the entrance of our town (and on the way to my kids' school). Bethlehem - like the rest of the West Bank - has become a parcel of isolated fragmented areas. “Oh little town of Bethlehem” is “Oh little besieged Bethlehem.”

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

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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. 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
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Follow the IMUE on Instagram
Follow Host Diana Buttu on Twitter
Follow Malak Mattar on Instagram

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

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This Is Palestine - Jenin in the Aftermath of Israel’s Military Attacks
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10/30/24 • 24 min

Amidst Israel’s catastrophic genocide unfolding in Gaza, its military is escalating a relentless campaign of aggression across the Palestinian West Bank, marked by a daily barrage of military operations. Since October 2023, Israel has killed at least 760 Palestinians, including 165 children, and injured 6,300 others in both the West Bank and Jerusalem. Israel has also held thousands more Palestinians captive, underscoring an intense and sustained pattern of severe human rights violations. In this episode, we highlight Jenin in the northern West Bank, a Palestinian city that Israel has subjected to intense military campaigns in the West Bank for two decades. Each one of Israel’s invasions has left deep scars on the city’s infrastructure and people. This episode offers a close, unfiltered look at life under military occupation. We start with the story of Abu Mujahed, whose son was used as a human shield by the Israeli army, enduring torture under the harsh sun. Next, we hear from Khawla, a mother recounting the terror of being forcibly driven from her home under gunfire. Finally, we meet Om Mohammed, a mother mourning her 13-year-old son, who Israel killed as he tried to help deliver bread to the Jenin Refugee Camp’s residents living under full Israeli siege. Israel’s increasingly brutal attacks against Palestinian cities in the West Bank such as Jenin, have led local Palestinians to now refer to the area as “Little Gaza.” Palestinian human rights experts are urgently warning that Israel’s genocidal campaign of ethnic cleansing in Gaza is quickly spreading to the West Bank. These testimonies reveal the ongoing human cost of Israel’s occupation and remind us of the individuals behind the statistics. Through their voices, we witness the endurance and resilience of Palestinian families forced to confront the daily realities of displacement, destruction, and survival in what is now referred to as "Little Gaza." 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
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This Is Palestine - Meet Palestinian-American Comedian Mo Amer
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08/25/22 • 19 min

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. 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
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This Is Palestine - This is the Story of Dr. Husam Abu Safiya
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03/12/25 • 21 min

Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a renowned and beloved Palestinian pediatrician and director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, has been illegally held captive and tortured by the Israeli army for more than 59 days. On December 27, 2024, the Israeli army kidnapped Dr. Abu Safyia while burning and besieging the Kamal Adwan Hospital. In this episode, we hear testimonies from the family of Dr. Abu Safiya, including his wife Ms. Albina Abu Safiya, and their son Elias Abu Safiya, who speak about the horrifying Israeli military attacks leading to Israel kidnapping the beloved doctor. We also hear from Khaled Mahajneh, a Palestinian human rights attorney who has represented Palestinians from Gaza held captive by Israel. Khaled speaks to us about Israel’s rampant abuse and torture of Palestinians held captive by Israel in prisons such as Sde Teiman and Ofer, both where Dr. Abu Safiya has been held. Currently, there are hundreds of Palestinian medical workers being unjustly held captive by Israel along with Dr.Abu Safiya, including Dr. Ahmed Muhanna, a prominent doctor and director of the Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza. At least three Palestinian doctors have died while being held captive by Israel since September 2024, including prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, who was tortured and died during his time held captive by the Israeli military in May 2024. Dr. Abu Safiya’s family and leading human rights groups continue to call for Israel to immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya and all Palestinian medical workers held captive and subjected to Israel’s abuse. Please note that the voices you will hear are not those of Albina, Elias and Khaled. Our interviews with them were conducted in Arabic. To make their powerful stories accessible to a wider audience, we have translated and rerecorded their words using English-speaking voice actors.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
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FAQ

How many episodes does This Is Palestine have?

This Is Palestine currently has 128 episodes available.

What topics does This Is Palestine cover?

The podcast is about News, History, News Commentary, Podcasts, Israel and Politics.

What is the most popular episode on This Is Palestine?

The episode title 'A Palestinian Teenager’s Experience in an Israeli Prison' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on This Is Palestine?

The average episode length on This Is Palestine is 24 minutes.

How often are episodes of This Is Palestine released?

Episodes of This Is Palestine are typically released every 10 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of This Is Palestine?

The first episode of This Is Palestine was released on Apr 21, 2020.

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