Rising for Our Motherlands

From the Sea | EP 7


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Today, on Nakba Day, we’re honored to share a very special interview with you.

Nakba Day commemorates the mass displacement of Palestinians that began on May 15, 1948. “Nakba,” the Arabic word for “catastrophe,” refers to the forced expulsion of more than 750,000 Palestinians and the destruction and depopulation of over 500 Palestinian villages, towns, and cities by Zionist militias and, later, the Israeli army.

In this episode, Maisa co-hosts with We Rise apprentice Hannah in an interview with Saif Abu Keshek a member of the steering committee for the Global Sumud Flotilla. This interview was recorded at the International People's Tribunal on Palestine in Barcelona, where the People's Tribunal charged the settler colonial state of Israel of genocide and ecocide in November 2025. Together, we discuss how people's tribunals can serve as both a tool and strategy in the Palestine Liberation movement.

We also speak about the central role of Palestinian political prisoners in the struggle for liberation. Political prisoners are not only symbols of resistance — they are our compass, grounding the movement in steadfastness, sacrifice, and collective responsibility.

Earlier this year, on April 30, Saif — a Spanish national of Palestinian origin — and Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila were abducted while sailing alongside dozens of activists as part of the latest humanitarian mission organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla. Saif and Thiago were imprisoned in Israel for 10 days under brutal conditions, where they endured torture and took part in a hunger strike.

The Global Sumud Flotilla continues to sale to break the siege on Gaza.
GlobalSumudFlotilla.org
@GlobalSumudFlotilla

We Rise will be releasing exclusive interviews with the People's Tribunal organizers and people who shared live testimony in Barcelona, stay tuned in to We Rise Production for episode release. 
InternationalSolidarity.org/tribunal
@InternationalPeoplesFront

This episode features music by DAM, Abu Arab, Ahmad Kaabour and sounds from the the International People's Tribunal on Palestine in Barcelona.

A huge thank you to Salma Taleb, Hesham Jarmakani, Francesca Juico, Chris Wanis, and Carmelo Ibanez for our beautiful theme music and to our co-conspirator & We Rise producer Cat Petru for weaving our voices and songs together.

Podcast art created by nicole gervacio.
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Rising for Our MotherlandsBy We Rise Production