Alex Andreou and Naomi Smith (fresh from Brussels) welcome special guest Rachel Shabi to discuss her new book on antisemitism, Trump's proposed cash + ethnic cleansing deal, Starmer trying to make himself invisible, while negotiating with Europe, and the general fever dream we seem to be living through.

Plus a stunning audio letter from Arthur Snell in Israel.

And of course 'Wokey Dokey' and 'Grin And Share It'.

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“The only way to stand up to Trump is collectively and the UK finds itself outside that large European collective bloc. It is particularly unfortunate and how the Labour gov’t can square that, I don’t know, but they have to find a way.”

“Trump is looking for people to punish, but also for a country to reward, to show the others what happens. And his rhetoric about Starmer is different than any other European leader. So, maybe the UK is weirdly manoeuvring itself into a sweet Goldilocks deal.”

“When you’re talking to Europe, while showing this much ankle to the US in general and in particular Trump, I think your ability to progress negotiations with the EU will be highly constrained.” 

“I don’t think there’s any point in second-guessing a chaos-merchant, who likes to throw chaotic statements into the public space, precisely for the purpose of sowing chaos. And I don’t think there’s any point in treating [Trump’s Gaza comments] as some strategic move.”

“The realities of antisemitism are messy. The conversations we need to have are messy. It takes time and the building of trust that means not automatically assuming bad faith. The problem is we are trying to have those conversations in the midst of a political and media environment that is obnoxious and divisive.”

CALLS TO ACTION LINKS:

You can buy Rachel Shabi's 'Off White' here.

You can buy Chris McGreal's 'American Overdose' here.

Our bookshop featuring many of the books we have featured can be found at uk.bookshop.org/shop/quietriot

You can see the full results of the BfB polling on prioritising Europe here.

You can find the Medical Aid for Palestinians charity here.

***SPONSOR US AT KO-FI.COM/QUIETRIOTPOD***

With Naomi Smith, Alex Andreou and Kenny Campbell – in cahoots with Sandstone Global.

Email us at [email protected]. Or visit our website www.quietriotpod.com.

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