Shareef Safadi is a Palestinian citizen of Israel. His identity challenges the very foundation of a state that calls him its own, while denying his Palestinianhood.

As someone whose family remained on their land during and after the Nakba, Shareef belongs to a group that Israel refers to as ‘Arab Israelis’ or ‘Israeli Arabs’.

In this episode we discuss 'Arab-Israelis', or ’48 Palestinians as referred to by Palestinians, who make up some 20% of Israel's population. Their existence forces uncomfortable questions. What does it mean to hold Israeli citizenship as a Palestinian? What does it mean to be part of a population that was never meant to stay, but did? And how does one carry the full weight of Palestinian identity inside a state built on Palestinian erasure?

Cactus Pear for my Beloved is the story of a family from Gaza, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland, Australia. It is a memoir by Palestinian‑Australian author, playwright and scholar Samah Sabawi.This is an intimate family chronicle and a testimonial to the broader Palestinian story, and it reinvigorates Gaza’s pre-1967 history—its literary, social and cultural layers. And the book has been nominated for the 2025 Palestine Book Awards.Falastin In Focus is a weekly podcast dedicated to centring Palestinians and their allies and exploring the history, identity, culture, art and politics of Palestine. Presented by Gaza-born journalist Jehan Alfarra in collaboration with the Palestine Museum and Middle East Monitor's Palestine Book Awards. Catch Falastin every Thursday on YouTube or your favourite podcast platform.Music: Al-Quds Arabiya | Edward Said National Conservatory of Music

Today, we speak to a man who has built a museum not for a state, but for a people.

Faisal Saleh is the founder and executive director of the Palestine Museum, which first opened as Palestine Museum US in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and has since travelled across the Atlantic. The first European branch of the Palestine Museum opened in the Scottish capital Edinburgh in May, as Palestinians marked the 77th anniversary of the Nakba.

Born to refugee parents forced out in 1948, Faisal’s journey spans continents and disciplines, from business to art. Today, he is on a mission to centre Palestinian artists and to protect and project Palestinian art and identity in all its complexity.Falastin In Focus is a space to examine the history, identity, culture, art and politics of Palestine in depth. Presented by Gaza-born journalist Jehan Alfarra in collaboration with the Palestine Museum and Middle East Monitor's Palestine Book Awards.

Catch Falastin every Thursday at 18:00 BST and follow us on Instagram @FalastinFM.

Music: Al-Quds Arabiya | Edward Said National Conservatory of Music