On April 9, 2020 Gisha Director of Public Relations Beth Oppenheim spoke about Gaza and COVID-19 on a webinar organized by the Telos Group, alongside Omar Shaban from Pal-Think for Strategic Studies.

In part one of “Bitter Sweets”, Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone visits Gaza businessman Mohammed Tilbani’s sweets factory in Hebron to understand how the closure has affected his main factory in Gaza. As his story unfolds, the obstacles he faces coincide with the history of war and restrictions of over a decade of closure on Gaza. Gisha’s Exeuctive Director Tania Hary explains how these limitations hinder the growth of Gaza’s economy.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Three Stories by Blue Dot Sessions, Ambient Electronic Loop 001 by Frankum, Rambling by Blue Dot Sessions, Adventure by Chad Crouch.

In part two of “Bitter Sweets”, Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone interviews Mohammed Tilbani about his sweets factory in Gaza. He describes the barriers and security blocks placed on him that place the future of his factory and its 400 employees in jeopardy. Gisha’s public advocacy coordinator Noa Galili provides the background of political rationales behind Israel’s separation policy.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Rite of Passage by Kevin MacLeod, Honey by Nctrnm, Stucco Grey by Blue Dot Sessions.

In the final episode of the podcast, Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone speaks with Gisha’s field coordinator in Gaza, Mohammed Azaiza, to understand how the weak infrastructure in Gaza affects every aspect of people’s lives. Mohammed describes how the restrictions on materials into Gaza prevents the reconstruction of vital infrastructure that provide clean water and electricity.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Setting Pace by Blue Dot Sessions, ZigZag Heart by Blue Dot Sessions, Elmore Heights by Blue Dot Sessions.

In the final episode of “Women of Gaza”, Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone speaks with Rawan Yaghi, from the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme about how she uses her writing to inform the international community of the situation in Gaza. We hear from several Gisha staff: Intake Coordinator Omnia Zoubi, Research Coordinator, Halah Abdelhade, and International Media Coordinator, Miriam Marmur about the policy recommendations that require an end of the closure on Gaza to provide women with the education and employment opportunities they deserve.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Modulation of the Spirit by Little Glass Men, Cherry by Nctrnm

Description: In the second episode of “Women of Gaza” Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone explores the concrete ceiling of the closure that many women in Gaza face, apart from the glass ceiling they already live under. Mariam Abu Alatta, a Project Manager at Aisha Association of Women and Child Protection shares how difficult it is for young graduates to receive a job. Gisha’s Research Department Director, Salah Mohsen, explains the dire state of Gaza’s economy that contributes to this phenomenon. Kholoud Jwefil, a Project Coordinator at Aisha Association of Women and Child Protection describes how these difficulties weigh on women in Gaza.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Fog by Sergey Cheremisinov, In Media Res by Nctrnm, Namaste by Jason Shaw

In the first episode of the mini-series “Women of Gaza”, Gaza Up Close host Lital Firestone speaks with several young women in Gaza about their educational pursuits in and out of the Strip. Kholoud Jwefil, a Project Coordinator at Aisha Association of Women and Child Protection describes her inability to pursue a degree in women’s studies outside of the strip because of arbitrary permit regulations, and Gisha Executive Director Tania Hary provides some background on this separation policy. Rawan Yaghi, who works at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme uses her experience studying abroad to emphasize the importance of young women in Gaza gaining independence and experience. Their journeys indicate a need for reform in higher education access in Gaza.

Music Credits: Middle Eastern Market by John Leonard French, Backed Vibes Clean by Kevin MacLeod, Tethered by Nctrnm, Edmond VI by Marco Trovatello