This Is Palestine

By The Institute for Middle East Understanding

'This Is Palestine' is a podcast that highlights people, issues, and events around Palestine. We bring you stories from the ground in Palestine, and we speak with experts and activists to bring you un... more

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FAQs about This Is Palestine:

How many episodes does This Is Palestine have?

The podcast currently has 130 episodes available.

This Is Palestine episodes:

April 30, 2025 Justice for Mahmoud Khalil: A Conversation with Dr. Noor Abdalla, wife of Mr. Khalil
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Noor Abdalla, a Syrian-American dentist and the wife of Mr. Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian student activist and legal U.S. resident who has been illegally detained by ICE since March 8, 2025, for speaking out about Palestinian rights. Mr. Khalil was abducted by ICE while coming home from a Ramadan iftar with Dr. Abdalla, who was 8 months pregnant at the time. Mr. Khalil’s chilling abduction has sent shockwaves through student and activist communities around the world.
In her own words, Dr. Abdalla recounts the horrific moment her husband was taken in front of her and speaks with host Diana Buttu about the ongoing toll this separation has taken on their lives. On April 21, Dr. Abdalla gave birth to their first child without Mahmoud by her side. In a cruel decision, the Department of Homeland Security denied Mr. Khalil’s request and permission to attend the birth of his first child, whom Mr. Khalil has only met over video.
While speaking with Ms. Buttu, Dr. Abdalla not only delivers a powerful call for her husband’s freedom, but she also states that this is not just about Mahmoud; this is about all of us, and we must refuse to be silent about Palestinian rights and continue to speak out during times of injustice.
Mr. Khalil is one of the many students and scholars being targeted by the Trump administration for speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and demanding that the US stop supplying weapons to Israel. From Columbia University to Tufts, ICE has orchestrated a wave of politically motivated unlawful detentions—often in public, and without warning or due process.
Please see below the ways you can learn more about the call for Mr. Khalil’s freedom and safe return home with his family: IG: @justice4mahmoud https://www.instagram.com/justice4mahmoud/?igsh=MXA5aXR0Zzh4a3k4dA%3D%3D#
Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
24min
April 15, 2025 The Rafah Paramedic Massacre: How Israel Executed Gaza’s Humanitarian Workers
On March 23, a convoy of Palestinian paramedics rushed to the site of an Israeli airstrike in Rafah. They were on a mission to save lives—but they never returned. In this episode, we uncover the harrowing story of the Rafah paramedic massacre, where Israeli forces ambushed, executed, and buried 15 emergency responders in a mass grave alongside their ambulance.
Through the haunting final video filmed by paramedic Refaat Radwan and the testimony of the sole survivor, Munther Abed, we dig into what happened that night.
This is the story of the Rafah Paramedic Massacre—one of the clearest, most brutal examples yet of Israel’s war on Gaza’s humanitarian workers.Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
21min
March 25, 2025 “Only Sick, Twisted People Keep Bodies”: Israel’s Policy of Withholding Dead Bodies
Israel’s brutal system controls Palestinians not only in life but also in death. In this episode, we examine the Israeli government’s policy of withholding hundreds of Palestinian bodies, denying their families the right to a proper burial. Lawyer Isam Aruri sheds light on this long-standing practice, while Sanaa Daqqa shares her personal struggle to reclaim the body of her husband, Walid Daqqa, who remains withheld by Israel, turning mourning and grief into another battlefield.Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
19min
March 12, 2025 This is the Story of Dr. Husam Abu Safiya
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a renowned and beloved Palestinian pediatrician and director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, has been illegally held captive and tortured by the Israeli army for more than 59 days. On December 27, 2024, the Israeli army kidnapped Dr. Abu Safyia while burning and besieging the Kamal Adwan Hospital.
In this episode, we hear testimonies from the family of Dr. Abu Safiya, including his wife Ms. Albina Abu Safiya, and their son Elias Abu Safiya, who speak about the horrifying Israeli military attacks leading to Israel kidnapping the beloved doctor. We also hear from Khaled Mahajneh, a Palestinian human rights attorney who has represented Palestinians from Gaza held captive by Israel. Khaled speaks to us about Israel’s rampant abuse and torture of Palestinians held captive by Israel in prisons such as Sde Teiman and Ofer, both where Dr. Abu Safiya has been held. Currently, there are hundreds of Palestinian medical workers being unjustly held captive by Israel along with Dr.Abu Safiya, including Dr. Ahmed Muhanna, a prominent doctor and director of the Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza. At least three Palestinian doctors have died while being held captive by Israel since September 2024, including prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adnan Al-Bursh, who was tortured and died during his time held captive by the Israeli military in May 2024. Dr. Abu Safiya’s family and leading human rights groups continue to call for Israel to immediately release Dr. Abu Safiya and all Palestinian medical workers held captive and subjected to Israel’s abuse.
Please note that the voices you will hear are not those of Albina, Elias and Khaled. Our interviews with them were conducted in Arabic. To make their powerful stories accessible to a wider audience, we have translated and rerecorded their words using English-speaking voice actors.Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
22min
February 10, 2025 Israel Bans UNRWA: What is the future for Palestinian refugees?
As Israel pushes to dismantle UNRWA, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees face an uncertain future. In this episode, we visit Al Jalazon refugee camp to hear from Mahfouz Safi, whose family was forcibly expelled from Beit Nabala in 1948 by Zionist militias. Through his story—and the voices of his sister, Jihad, we uncover the far-reaching impact of Israel’s crackdown on the agency that has provided education, healthcare, and aid to millions for over seven decades. As we explore the history of displacement and the role of UNRWA, two questions emerge: What’s at stake if UNRWA disappears? And who will step in when an entire population is left without support?
Please note that the voices you will hear are not those of Jihad and Safi. Our interviews with them were conducted in Arabic. To make their powerful stories accessible to a wider audience, we have translated and rerecorded their words using English-speaking voice actors.Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
20min
January 23, 2025 Ceasefire in Gaza: Israel Continues to Kill Palestinians
As the ceasefire in Gaza goes into effect, the Israeli army has launched widespread attacks against the West Bank. In this episode of “This is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks with IMEU’s Sarah Abu Alrob about the ceasefire agreement breaking down what is means for Palestinians. The episode also delves into the Trump’s administration's actions giving Israel the green light to fully illegally annex the West Bank.Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
16min
December 20, 2024 Interview with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac: The home of Christmas under rubble amid Israel's genocide
As we approach 2025, Israel continues to bomb, attack, and occupy the birthplace of Christmas. This year, church officials have shared that Christmas services across Palestine will be somber and highlight the call to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Experts are even warning that Israel’s genocide against Palestinians could lead to the elimination of the Palestinian Christians in the Gaza Strip. Before the genocide, there were between 1,000 - 1,700 Palestinian Christians in Gaza. Following Israel’s relentless attacks, less than 600 Palestinian Christians remain. Over the past year, Israel has destroyed the homes of nearly every Palestinian Christian family in Gaza. The majority of the Palestinian Christians continue to take shelter in the Holy Family Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius, both in Gaza City. Israel has repeatedly bombed both churches.
In this episode, Diana Buttu spoke with Rev. Dr. Isaac about Israel’s increasing attacks on the Palestinian Christian community throughout all of Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza. They discussed how these attacks are a part of Israel’s broader genocidal campaign and objective to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from their land.
In a recent interview, Rev. Isaac said Israel has created “completely unlivable” conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank. He also posted a photo of the Israeli army building an additional checkpoint cutting off the city of Bethlehem from other key Palestinian cities. He described the photo with the caption: “Another gate installed by the Israeli military at the entrance of our town (and on the way to my kids' school). Bethlehem - like the rest of the West Bank - has become a parcel of isolated fragmented areas. “Oh little town of Bethlehem” is “Oh little besieged Bethlehem.”
Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.

Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/

For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu

...more
25min
December 13, 2024 Will the ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant Lead to Justice?
In this episode, we speak to Dr. Nimer Sultany, a law professor at SOAS. We discuss the ICC and the ICJ; what impact these cases will have and whether we should be optimistic about these legal developments.
Dr. Sultany speaks with host Diana Buttu about the unprecedented number of legal actions taken before international courts, namely the International Court of Justice (also known as the World Court or the ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (known as the ICC). Dr. Sultany also expands on the international legal actions being taken to hold Israel to account within the context of the double standards that have historically existed within international justice mechanisms.
Listen to this episode for the latest updates on international legal actions being taken to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing human rights violations and war crimes against Palestinians.
Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
18min
November 29, 2024 What Does the Trump Presidency Mean for Palestinians?
In this episode of “This is Palestine,” host Diana Buttu speaks with Dalia Alahmad at IMEU’s Palestine office about the incoming U.S. Trump administration and its impact on Palestinians. Ms. Buttu speaks with Ms. Alahmad about the concerns Palestinians have for the impending administration while also addressing the Biden administration’s ongoing funding of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and human rights abuses against the Palestinian people. The episode dives into the topline concerns, including Israel’s complete theft and illegal annexation of the West Bank along with the targeting of the vital international refugee aid agency UNRWA. Listen to this episode to stay up-to-date on important analysis from Palestine as the US approaches this pivotal electoral shift.
Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
33min
November 18, 2024 Poetry in the Time of Genocide, Part 2: A Conversation with 2024 National Book Finalist Dr. Fady Joudah
In this two-episode special, host Diana Buttu speaks with award-winning Palestinian-American writers Fady Joudah and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, who are both finalists for the 2024 National Book Awards.
Dr. Joudah and Ms. Tuffaha comprise two of the only five shortlisted writers for the 2024 National Book Award in Poetry, making this a foundational cultural honor for the Palestinian literary community and beyond. As Palestinians continue to endure Israel’s genocide and defy cultural erasure, Joudah and Tuffaha discuss literature as a foundational tool of cultural resilience. The two notable writers also expand on the meaning of the Book Award nominations, not just for themselves but for all Palestinians and oppressed communities around the world.
Dr. Joudah is nominated for his powerful collection of poetry, entitled, “ […].” published by Milkweed Press. Joudah’s nominated work is described as an “urgent and essential collection of poems illuminating the visionary presence of Palestinians.” Joudah reminds us “Wonder belongs to all.” Fady Joudah is the recipient of multiple literary awards, including the 2024 Jackson Poetry Prize and more. New York Literary critics have said that Joudah’s poetry “thrives on dramatic shifts in perspective, on continually challenging conceived notions.” Along with being a multi-award-winning writer, Joudah is an internal medicine doctor.
Thank you for tuning into This is Palestine, the official podcast of The
IMEU! For more stories and resources, visit us at imeu.org.
Stay connected with us:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimeu/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theIMEU
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theIMEU/
For more insights, follow our host, Diana Buttu, on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianabuttu
...more
28min

FAQs about This Is Palestine:

How many episodes does This Is Palestine have?

The podcast currently has 130 episodes available.

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