The Electronic Intifada Podcast 24 December 2019
On episode 13 of The Electronic Intifada Podcast, Nora and Asa are joined by Ali Abunimah to discuss the most significant stories of 2019.
Everyday resistance persists for Palestinians despite the catastrophe that Israel continues to impose on them. The catastrophe includes the siege of Gaza, the violence against the protesters at the Great March of Return and the cruelty with which Israel treats medical patients.
Nora, Asa and Ali talk about the reporting The Electronic Intifada’s contributors have done over the past year, especially those inside Gaza.
“Our writers in Gaza … are the jewel in the crown of what we do,” Ali says. “These are writers who are reporting what’s happening in Gaza in a way that no mainstream media does.”
Students and human rights activists are not backing down even in the face of Donald Trump’s recently-signed executive order.
That order gives the Israel lobby a way to circumvent the legislative process while opening the door for accelerated attacks on Palestinians and those who organize for their rights.
“They know that the struggle and the fight is a long one, it’s a protracted one, and they’re in it. So that keeps me hopeful,” Nora says.
Asa explains his in-depth reporting on the targeted sabotage campaign against Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the British Labour Party, over the last four years, and what led to the defeat of Corbyn in the recent UK elections.
“The Labour anti-Semitism smear campaign was never about real anti-Semitism,” Asa says. “It was about defeating the left and it was about protecting Israel.”
He warns Americans against complacency with a similar smear campaign being waged upon Bernie Sanders or other politicians who believe that Palestinians should have human rights.
“We have no option but to hold onto hope and to keep struggling for the kind of world we want to live in,” Ali says.
“We see Palestinians holding on, we see that spirit of steadfastness still there, and we see people around the world” advocating for Palestinian rights, he adds.
Articles we discussed
- “When will Dad come home?” (Sarah Algherbawi)
- “Video: Gaza embroidery artist challenges gender norms” (Amjad Ayman Yaghi, Sanad Ltefa and Ismail Abu Hatab)
- “Video: Dabke on wheelchairs in Gaza” (Amjad Ayman Yaghi, Yousef Mashharawi and Ahmed Abu Hatab)
- “Video: Gaza sweet factory integrates deaf workers” (Mohammed Asad)
- “Video: Harvesting honey in Gaza” (Ola Mousa)
- “Don’t let the smears that sank Corbyn tank Bernie Sanders” (Asa Winstanley)
- “Israel lobby’s ‘commando force’ taken out” (Asa Winstanley)
Image: A Palestinian protester dressed as Santa Claus holds a sign on the remains of a demolished Palestinian house. Bethlehem, 23 December 2019. (Abedalrahman Hassan/APA Images)
Production assistance and music by Sharif Zakout
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Comments
PD cast ep-13
Permalink Suzanne Weiss replied on
Excellent pod cast. However would be more effective if it were in two sessions of 30 minutes each. Thanks for your consistent and outstanding reportage. Your analysis is also crucial. Suzanne Weiss
embroidery video
Permalink robert replied on
Thanks for another excellent podcast Nora, Ali and Asa!
I wanted to watch the video of the man who does embroidery but it doesn't seem to work?
Wishing you all the best in 2020, and thanks for the message of Hope.