Best The Institute of Middle East Understanding Podcasts (2024)

1
Evolution of Hamas: Terror, Policy and Politics 52:39

38m ago52:39

52:39

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas launched the most significant and deadliest terror attack against Israel in the history of the state. Formed in the late 1980s, Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist military and socio-political movement. Hamas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel, and the organization has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2006. How has Ha…

1
Education Under Genocide: Palestinian Initiatives to Maintain Education in Gaza 17:17

1h ago17:17

17:17

In this episode of This is Palestine, host Diana Buttu takes us to the heart of Gaza, where education—once the cornerstone of Palestinian resilience—is under siege. Meet Salma, a 12-year-old student who dreams of becoming a journalist, and Fatima, a university student who refuses to give up on her education despite Israel’s relentless bombings, dis…

1
What's Law Got To Do With It: Breaking Down the ICJ 16:13

2h ago16:13

16:13

In this episode of “This Is Palestine” host Diana Buttu speaks with award-winning Palestinian-American law professor George Bisharat about utilizing international justice mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes.For over 10 months, Palestinians have been forced to endure Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and attacks on the Palestini…

1
Middle East Crisis Moment: Stakes for the US-Israel Security Relationship 1:03:15

1h ago1:03:15

1:03:15

The Middle East is at a crucial moment. Dual retaliatory attacks by Iran and Hezbollah against Israel threaten to tip the region into total war. However, a breakthrough in the hostage-for-ceasefire negotiations in Doha, initiated by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, may delay or eliminate the attacks and could be a pivotal turning point in the Israel-Hama…

1
How Think Tanger's Multicultural Approach Transforms Suburban and Urban Spaces | Amine Houari & Naziha Nasrin 1:07:54

1h ago1:07:54

1:07:54

In this episode, we're headed to Tangier, Morocco. My co-host Naziha Nasrin and I speak with Amine Houari of Think Tanger, a non-profit cultural agency shaping Tangier's development through art, research, and collaboration. Together, we discuss crucial topics such as creative insurgency, planning in suburban contexts in Toronto (Scarborough) and Ta…

1
Can the Gaza War Bridge the Secular-Haredi Military Draft Divide? 1:00:39

1d ago1:00:39

1:00:39

The Gaza War is Israel’s longest battle since its War of Independence in 1948. Wartime demands have put an outsized strain on Israel’s army, reopening the debate over the ultra-orthodox (Haredi) draft and the broader secular-religious fault line in Israeli society. While the Haredim have historically enjoyed a blanket exemption from military servic…

1
How Has Israeli Society Changed After 300+ Days of War? 50:00

23d ago50:00

50:00

Israeli society underwent a massive shock on October 7 that upended deeply held convictions about the army and the state. The horrors of 10/7 and the immediate demands of war unified Israelis at a time of deep division, but the 300+ days since Hamas’ assault have tested societal cohesion. How have 10/7 and the ensuing months of war changed Israeli …

1
A New Calculus for War? Understanding Israel-Hezbollah Dynamics 58:15

15d ago58:15

58:15

In recent weeks, the mid-intensity conflict on Israel’s northern border with Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite terror group, has threatened to explode into all-out war. With Israel ramping up its targeted killings of top Hezbollah military commanders and Hezbollah launching rockets and drones ever further into Israel, is total war inevi…

1
Inside Israel’s Torture Camp 16:19

20d ago16:19

16:19

In this episode, host Diana Buttu shares the horrifying details about one of Israel's secret torture camps or Israeli prisons, Sde Teiman, through the words of a Palestinian journalist from Gaza, Muhammad Arab. Muhammad's story is conveyed to Buttu through his lawyer, Khaled Mahajneh. Mahajneh is a Palestinian lawyer who has spent most of his legal…

1
Allies Under Pressure: The Gaza War and U.S.-Israel Relations 53:08

1M ago53:08

53:08

The ten months since October 7th have revealed both the profound strengths and strains of the U.S.-Israel partnership. Are current tensions a temporary consequence of the Israel-Hamas war, or do they represent a new and enduring divide between the two allies? In this episode, Dennis Ross joins David Makovsky on the eve of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s…

1
Aylul: Surviving the Nuseirat Massacre as a One-Day-Old Newborn 15:06

2M ago15:06

15:06

In this episode of “This is Palestine”, we hear the heartwrenching story of baby Aylul, a baby born during Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Aylul’s story is one of tens of thousands of children born to Palestinian mothers who are being forced to experience pregnancy and childbirth as they try to survive Israel’s genocide. It is estimated that there are 5…

1
Anti-Palestinian legislation in Congress Unpacked 31:45

2M ago31:45

31:45

In this episode of “This Is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks to Josh Ruebner, the director of IMEU’s new 501C-4 organization, the IMEU Policy Project, about recent developments in the US Congress and Palestinian human rights. The episode unpacks the alarming rise in anti-Palestinian legislation and actions in Congress aiming to suppress Palestin…

1
Testimonies from Palestinian Prisoners & Israeli Torture Camps 21:15

3M ago21:15

21:15

Over the past eight months, Israel has kidnapped or unlawfully “arrested” hundreds of Palestinians. In Gaza, there are disturbing reports of Israeli soldiers kidnapping Palestinians from their homes being shackled, stripped, and forced to endure degrading and inhumane treatment.Currently, there are over 3,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel witho…

1
Censoring Palestinian Student Activism 24:27

3M ago24:27

24:27

In this episode of “This is Palestine,” we speak with Palestinian American Columbia student Maryam Alwan about the rise in student-led protests across college campuses speaking out against Israel’s genocide. She talks to us about the unified student demand calling on their universities to divest funds tied with Israel’s genocide and war crimes. We …

1
Healing Under Genocide: Gaza's Healthcare Crisis 26:42

5M ago26:42

26:42

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…

1
Confronting Genocide: Insights from the ICJ Ruling on Israel 18:40

5M ago18:40

18:40

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 Januar…

1
Gaza: World's Deadliest Place for Journalists 25:18

6M ago25:18

25:18

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 killin…

1
The Silencing of Palestinian Students in Israeli Universities 22:30

7M ago22:30

22:30

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 expuls…

1
Connecting Gaza To The World 15:59

7M ago15:59

15:59

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.…

1
Recap: South Africa & Israel’s Week 1 at the ICJ 25:15

8M ago25:15

25:15

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,…

1
South Africa Charges Israel with Genocide: What You Need to Know 33:29

8M ago33:29

33:29

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…

1
How the Bicycle Mayor of Toronto is Making Toronto's Streets Safer for All | Lanrick Bennett Jr., Joycelyn Guan & Erin 1:09:56

9M ago1:09:56

1:09:56

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we…

1
Reverend Mitri Raheb: Why Christmas in Palestine is Canceled This Year 18:05

9M ago18:05

18:05

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…

1
Artistry Beyond Borders: Exploring the Power of Public Art in Toronto with Destinie Adélakun 12:21

9M ago12:21

12:21

This episode marks the first video episode of the podcast! Here's a sneak peek of my conversation with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Bla…

1
Hope Amidst Ruins: Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta’s Frontline Testimony in Gaza 30:58

9M ago30:58

30:58

For our 100th episode, Diana Buttu speaks with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a renowned British-Palestinian doctor. Just two days into Israel's brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, he decided to head to Gaza to provide life-saving medical treatment to Palestinians. He remained in Gaza for 43 days, giving the world a glimpse into the impact on Palest…

1
A Palestinian Teenager’s Experience in an Israeli Prison 13:56

9M ago13:56

13:56

As of the time of this recording, Israel has temporarily halted its brutal bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip. As part of the agreement to “pause” the bombing, Israel is releasing Palestinian kids and women held in Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israelis held in Gaza. The vast majority of those released have never been convicted. In…

1
Former Top UN Official Craig Mokhiber on Israel’s Genocide 35:10

9M ago35:10

35:10

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, …

1
Palestine and Social Media 22:50

10M ago22:50

22:50

Time and time again, we've witnessed the familiar cycle: Israel launches a brutal bombing campaign on Gaza, putting Palestine into the global spotlight. Palestinian voices are often sidelined in mainstream discourse. So, Palestinians turn to the only available tool they have: social media. It becomes their primary means to share their stories and a…

1
Gaza's Catastrophic Medical Crisis 32:03

10M ago32:03

32:03

Israel has been bombing the besieged Gaza Strip nonstop. Israel has cut off water supplies, fuel supplies, electricity supplies and even food and has prevented virtually all supplies from countries around the world from reaching the besieged Gaza Strip.Israel has killed over 10,000 Palestinians, including more than 4,100 children. Additionally, tho…

1
Israel Imprisoned and Tortured Thousands of Palestinian Workers from Gaza 22:57

10M ago22:57

22:57

Note the conversation of this podcast was recorded before the developments of November 3rd. The term '48' refers to the Palestinian territories before the creation of Israel, specifically the areas that became part of Israel following the Nakba in 1948. Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twitter: https://…

1
Nakba 2.0: Israel’s War on Palestinians 28:56

10M ago28:56

28:56

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 refuge…

1
Voices From Gaza Part 2 13:54

10M ago13:54

13:54

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.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Dian…

1
Voices From Gaza 9:28

11M ago9:28

9:28

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,…

1
The Gaza Crisis: Whats Unfolding 29:28

11M ago29:28

29:28

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 …

1
The Oslo Accords Part 2 15:00

12M ago15:00

15:00

It's been 30 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. Thank you for listening to 'This is …

1
The Oslo Accords Part 1 22:03

12M ago22:03

22:03

It's been 30 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.Thank you for listening to 'This is Palestine'! Follow our host Diana Buttu on Twit…

1
What happened in Burqa, Nablus - Part 2 12:10

12M ago12:10

12:10

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 tr…

1
What happened in Burqa, Ramallah - Part 1 12:01

1y ago12:01

12:01

In part one of this two-part special, host Diana Buttu dives deep into the stories of two West Bank towns with identical names: Burqa. Beyond their names, these towns are united by an overwhelming challenge — the presence of Israeli settlers, soldiers, and a legal system that often appears to favor land acquisition. Our journey begins in Burqa near…

1
Israel's Judicial Overhaul Explained 16:05

1y ago16:05

16:05

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 Isr…

1
Israel's Invasion of Jenin 14:30

1y ago14:30

14:30

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 orde…

1
The Occupied West Bank On Fire: Israeli Settler Violence and Annexation 24:56

1y ago24:56

24:56

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 childr…

1
Drawing Hope: Mohammad Sabaaneh, Renowned Palestinian Cartoonist 19:18

1y ago19:18

19:18

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 dep…

1
How the Charter Cities Institute Promotes Inclusive and Adaptable Planning for Sustainable New Cities | Heba Elhanafy 43:18

1+ y ago43:18

43:18

Join me in this captivating episode of the podcast as I have an insightful conversation with Heba Elhanafy, an urban researcher from the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia. Together, we explore the fascinating world of charter city development and dive deep into the Planning Guidelines Report titled "Guided Organic Growth: An urban planning fram…

1
Rock Climbing in Palestine 35:14

1+ y ago35:14

35:14

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 s…

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