Palestine Debrief

We speak with Jon Elmer to provide us alternative views on reporting in Gaza and Lebanon. This episode was recorded before the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon. Follow Jon on X. Thank you for listening to the ‘Palestine Debrief’ podcast. This podcast is produced by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and hosted by Wissam El Cheikh Hassan. Click here to support the work of CJPME. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Tiktok.Click here to ...

This episode we speak to Ardi Imseis, currently Assistant Professor at Queen’s Faculty of Law in 2018, following a 12-year career as a UN official in the Middle East, first with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and then with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We talk about UNRWA's history, establishment and implications of Israel banning of UNRWA. Follow Ardi at X. Thank you for listening to the ‘Palestine Debr...

This episode is five interviews with Canadians who suffered mentally, emotionally and financially in their attempts to be reunited with their families in Gaza under the governments Temporary Resident Visa Program for Gazans (TRV). The first interview is with Samar Alkhdour whose story highlights the government's attempt to suppress advocacy and freedom of expression and assembly revolving critique of the TRV. Follow Samar Alkhdour on Instagram.Follow Gazan Canadian Community Group on Instagra...

This episode is a conversation with Jason Toney, Director of Media Advocacy at CJPME about Canada's Media Ethics and our Media Accountability Project. We talk about the Canadian media's ethics, standards, biases, and erasure of Palestinian content. We speak about the impact CJPME had on media and the challenges we face. Follow Jason on X. Thank you for listening to the ‘Palestine Debrief’ podcast. This podcast is produced by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) and hoste...

This episode discusses how Israel utilizes technology in their genocide in Gaza, we talk about the AI Lavender, social media censoring of Palestinian voices, media's extensive biases towards the Israel narrative, and IDF soldiers/ Israel government officials who hold positions in media organizations. My guest is Paul Biggar from Tech4Palestine, who was fired from the board of a company he started after publishing this blog post. Follow Tech4Palestine on X, GitHub, Discord, and Instagram. Than...

In August 2024, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) revoked the charitable status of the Jewish National Fund of Canada (JNF). This is significant because the JNF is central to the Zionist movement, historically acquiring land in Palestine for exclusive Jewish settlement. It has also supported Israeli military projects and illegal settlements in occupied Palestine.Here to talk about the efforts to achieve this revocation and the implications of this decision is Corey Balsam from Independent Jewis...

On January 9th, 2024, IRCC started accepting applications for a Temporary Residence Visa Program for Gazans with Canadian Family Ties that was called "Crisis in Gaza: Special Measure for Extended Family". Not long after it became clear that the program was not designed to accept refugees. Nothing about the program was urgent and in comparison to past programs the “special measures” seem to highly indicate racism towards Palestinians. We have Safinaz El-Solh from Gazan Canadian Community ...

worldbeyondwar.org/canadastoparmingisraelEarlier in August the US government announced that General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc. a Quebec-based company is the principal contractor in the sale of 50,000 high explosive mortar cartridges and related equipment to the Israeli military, which is worth $61 million US (or about $83 million in Canadian dollars). This is part of a total of $20 billion US weapon export announced and approved by the US to Israel. This catches Canada i...

Canada is adamant on their support to Israel, despite when it is becoming extensively clear that Israel is driving the whole world to the brink of a third world war. With the attack that happened last Friday night in a school in Gaza that killed 100 people gathering for morning prayers, it is imperative to understand why Canada refuses to change its stance on Israel.Here to help us make sense of all this, is Professor of Sociology at Mount Royal University and author of 2 books, and writ...

On July 19th 2024 the ICJ court released its decision regarding Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. It concluded in its ruling that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied territory is illegal and must end as soon as possible. It included Israel’s prolonged occupation, it’s settlement expansion, continuous annexation of the territory, its apartheid policies, as well as providing full reparations, restitution and compensation including the return of all t...

On April 2nd, pro-Palestinian student groups in Montreal started an encampment on the McGill campus, demanding that the university divest its finances from companies complicit in Israel's genocide in Gaza, like weapons companies BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin. Early this morning, on the 10th of July, it was dismantled. McGill hired a private security firm to shut down the encampment, after the university failed to have it disbanded by the police and following 2 injunctions which were re...

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Yipeng Ge - follow him on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Within the first 36 hours of Israel’s attack on Gaza after Oct. 7, Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City, amongst other, have been attacked. And it didn’t stop there. For the past 8 months Israel has intentionally and aggressively targetting, attacking and bombing hospitals - to an extent that they are not hiding it anymore, and in many cases ...

On October 16, 2023, the Canadian government appointed Deborah Lyons, former Ambassador of Canada to Israel (2016-2020), as the new Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism. The Special Envoy Lyon's office is a joint unit of both Canadian Heritage and Global Affairs Canada, bringing her role into the realm of international relations (whereas the Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia is singularly located in Canadian Heritage). Additionally, her mandate c...

A December article in Al Jazeera describes Canada’s foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine as “schizophrenic.” It’s like Canada supports Israel, wants to support Israel, but is also worried about supporting it too much because it will affect their false image of Canada as a “peace loving, refugee welcoming nation.” We talk about Canada’s policies towards Israel since the beginning of genocide with a person with a long list of credentials that include Activist, Journalist, Lawyer and...

Last month The Breach published an article written by a whistle blower exposing CBC's extensive systemic anti-Palestinian biases in their reporting since October 7. In this episode journalist Zahraa Al Akhrass who was fired from Global in November 2023 after posting pro-Palestinian content on her social media, shares her experiences with similar biases working at Global. Details about Zahraa's firing can be found on her social medias here and here. She also wrote an article titled "Figh...

On April 17th 2024, the keffiyeh was banned from being worn by staff and guests in the Ontario legislature by speaker Ted Arnott. There had been no formal complaints nor was a motion presented to Ted Arnott for this ban, yet he acted on his own authority to impose the ban. This conversation with Chris Farris Zabaneh talks about the Keffiyeh Ban, how it came into place, the distraction tactic taken of imposing the ban, the supremacist approach of limiting non-white cultural attire and what can...

In December of last year NDP MP Matthew Green took the lead in sponsoring a Private Member’s bill, informally named “the Nakba Bill.” While the text of Green’s bill has not been made public, Green has made clear that his bill will call for Canada to formally acknowledge the Nakba and its tragic consequences for the Palestinian people. We talk private member bills, the Nakba, Parliament's Palestine motion, Canada's culpability, the IOF, the chances of Green's bill passing, and sleeping better ...

In this episode, Tom is joined by Fargo Tbakhi, a queer Palestinian American writer and performance artist based in Washington D.C. and winner of 2018 Ghassan Kanafani Resistance Arts Prize. His writings have been published in various literary publications including The Berkeley Review. He is also the recipient of several fellowships. Fargo’s writings and performances challenge notions of erasure and colonization and propose a reality of a free and unoccupied Palestine.Links:Follow Fargo on T...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla, and Tom are joined by Ahmed Masoud, Gaza-born Palestinian writer, director, and academic based in the United Kingdom. Ahmed is the author of Come What May and Vanished which address issues in Gazan society, as well as in broader trends in Palestinian history. Ahmed has also directed a number of plays and is the co-founder of PalArt, a collective initiative aimed at promoting Palestinian voices and content in the arts and media. Listen in as we learn about...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla, and Tom are joined Dr. Ussama Makdisi, Palestinian-American scholar and academic, currently a Professor of History and Chancellor’s Chair at the University of California Berkeley. Dr Makdisi is the author of several books and publications on sectarianism, Ottoman and Arab history, US-Arab relations, and US missionary work in the Middle East. Listen in as we discuss Dr. Makdisi’s achievements and contributions to Middle-Eastern history, Arab identity and issues ...

In this episode, Michael is joined by Palestinian journalist and activist Basel Adra, and Daniel Roth of the Centre for Jewish Nonviolence, to discuss Israel’s plans to expel more than 1,000 Palestinians from their homes in Masafer Yatta. We hear about what is happening on the ground, and discuss the role of journalism and international solidarity in challenging dispossession and apartheid. Links from this podcast:Basel Adra on TwitterBasel Adra in +972 Magazine: “I was handcuffed and bl...

In this episode, Michael is joined by Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in the UK. They discuss the anti-boycott bill currently being pushed by the British conservative government, how it poses a threat to freedom of speech and expression, and how civil society is fighting back to defend the ‘right to boycott.’ Links from this podcast:Follow the Palestine Solidarity Campaign on Twitter The PSC’s Right to Boycott campaign Subscribe to this podcast, and d...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla, and Tom are joined by Chris Gazaleh, Palestinian-American muralist, activist, and community organizer. Using different mediums like ink, paint, and digital illustrations, Chris uses powerful symbols and imagery to advocate for Palestinian human rights and social justice. Listen in to learn about Chris’s art, his inspiration, and his efforts to use art to advocate for Palestinian justice and liberation.Links:To learn more about Chris and his work, visit his webs...

In this episode, Tayla and Tom are joined by Heifa Odeh, Palestinian-American chef, recipe developer and food blogger. Founder of the blog Fufu’s Kitchen and author of the recent cookbook, Dine in Palestine, Heifa seeks to celebrate and preserve traditional Palestinian dishes and recipes. Listen in to learn about Heifa’s expression and celebration of her Palestinian identity and culture through food. Links:Check out Heifa’s blog and explore all the different Palestinian and Middle ...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Mirna Bamieh, Palestinian chef, artist and founder of the Palestine Hosting Society - a cultural and social project that seeks to reclaim and revitalize Palestinian food practices and dishes. Listen in to learn about Mirna’s commitment to celebrating the Palestinian identity, culture, and heritage through food. Links:Check out the Palestine Hosting Society founded by Mirna here and visit her website to explore her other art projects an...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Farah Nabulsi, Palestinian-British filmmaker and human rights advocate. She has written and produced four short films including Today They Took My Son and Nightmare of Gaza. Her most recent short The Present has won over 50 International awards for its powerful portrayal of the daily struggles faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation. Listen in as we discuss The Present, her inspiration, and her efforts to use film to share the...

In this episode, Michael is joined by Jalal Abukhater, a Palestinian writer and activist based in Jerusalem, to discuss settler-colonial violence and dispossession in occupied Palestine. We discuss Israel’s attacks on the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem, Israel’s repeated military invasions in the West Bank (including this week’s deadly attack on Jenin), and Palestinian armed resistance. Links from this podcast:Jalal Abukhater on TwitterJalal’s websiteTwitter thread by Jalal on the set...

In this episode, Michael is joined by Inès Abdel Razek, Executive Director of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy (PIPD), an independent Palestinian organization focused on international mobilization and digital campaigning for Justice, Freedom and Equality. We discuss the work of PIPD and Palestine Virtual Reality, trends in Palestinian solidarity since May 2021, and what Palestinians think of Israel’s far-right government. Links from this podcast:The Palestine Ins...

In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla and Tom are joined by Darin Sallam, Palestinian-Jordanian writer, director and filmmaker. Her most recent film, Farha, follows a young-girl’s traumatic experience during the Nakba. Despite obstacles in producing the film, Farha has been extremely well-received, especially among Palestinians for its realistic depiction of the devastating events of the Nakba. Listen in as we discuss Farha, her inspiration, and her efforts to use film to share important Palestinian...

In this episode, Michael and Reem are joined by Antony Loewenstein to discuss his latest book, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World. We discuss how Israel’s arms industry uses the occupied Palestinian territories as a testing ground for weaponry and surveillance technology that it then exports around the world. We also discuss the censorship of Palestinians and their allies by social media companies and the growing impact of direct action ...

In this episode, Rafeef and Tayla are joined by Maysoun Odeh, Palestinian entrepreneur and co-founder and director of “NISAA”, the first Arabic radio station in the Middle East that is run by women for women. Launched in 2010, NISAA’s mission is to transform the perception of “women’s role in society by highlighting their social engagement, successes, and creativity.” Maysoun has worked to help inform and inspire Palestinian to assert their rights and empower themselves.Links:Check out the NI...

In this episode, Tom, Rafeef and Tayla are joined by Vivien Sansour, the Palestinian-American founder of the Palestine Heirloom Library – a cultural and social project that works with farmers and advocates to recover and conserve threatened crop varieties. Through her art and storytelling, Vivien advocates for greater social engagement with Palestinian agriculture, heritage, and culture. Currently working on an autobiographical book documenting her work on seeds in Palestine and around the wo...

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Nakba (“catastrophe” in Arabic), when more than 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes and country during the creation of Israel. To mark this occasion, CJPME and the Ottawa Forum on Israel Palestine recently hosted a webinar with Umar al-Ghubari and Rachel Beitarie, co-directors of Zochrot, a Jaffa-based organization which is dedicated to exposing the truth about the Nakba in Israeli society and promoting the right of return f...

In this news round-up episode, Reem joins Tom and Michael to discuss last week’s attack on Palestinian worshippers in the Al-Aqsa compound, and how Canada responded. They’ll also talk about an interesting comment by Canada’s ambassador to the UN, and a recent humanitarian initiative for Gaza’s struggling farmers. Links from this podcast:Read CJPME’s press release: Canada must condemn, sanction brutal Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa worshippers CJPME email campaign: Tell Trudeau: en...

In this episode, Rafeef and Tom are joined by Nasser Jaber, the Palestinian-American co-founder of the Migrant Kitchen - a social enterprise in NYC which showcases the stories and cuisines of immigrant chefs. Nasser arrived in New York from Ramallah in 2001 hoping to make it big on Wall Street; but ended up being one of the city’s most influential restauranteurs. His journey as an advocate for marginalised communities, refugees, and immigrants is just beginning.Links: Check out The Migra...

What is data storytelling? How do we shift the dominant narrative on Palestine? On this episode, we are joined by Aline Batarseh, Executive Director of Visualizing Palestine. We discuss the work of Visualizing Palestine, its successes, its challenges, its new strategic plan, international solidarity, and the importance of shifting the narrative toward justice. Links from this podcast:· Visualizing Palestine’s main website· Visualizing Palestine 101...

In this episode, we’re joined by Najat El-Taji El-Khairy, a Palestinian-Canadian artist who has created a unique art form combining her interests in both embroidery and porcelain painting. Najat’s art has been exhibited in various venues throughout North America, the Middle East and Europe. Najat has made it her mission to immortalise, protect and preserve the art of Palestinian embroidery. As she describes it, she’s, ‘Painting her way home, one stitch at a time.’ Links...

In this news round-up episode, Tom and Michael discuss two important recent developments: The smear campaign against progressive Ontario NDP candidate Sarah Jama over her support for Palestinian human rights, and a new initiative from CJPME to demand great accountability of Canadian media in their news coverage of Palestine-Israel. Links from this podcast:Globe and Mail story on Sarah Jama, quoting Michael Toronto Star story on Sarah Jama, quoting CJPMELetter supporting Sarah Jama f...

In this news round-up episode, Tom and Michael discuss several important recent developments: Canada expresses concern about the settler pogrom on the Palestinian town of Huwara; Canadian senators meet with a far-right member of the Israeli Knesset; and a Halifax school bans students from wearing the Kufiyah, in an incident of anti-Palestinian racism.Links from this podcast:· CJPME: Canada must hold Israel responsible for settler terror (Feb 27)· CJPME:...

In this episode, we’re joined by Wafa Ghnaim, an award-winning Palestinian researcher, educator, author and tatreez expert living in Washington, DC. Her book, titled, Tatreez and Tea: Embroidery and Storytelling in the Diaspora was published in 2018 and documents the stories and meanings behind the Palestinian embroidery motifs that were handed down to Wafa by her mother, Feryal Abbasi Ghnaim, an award-winning artist herself. Join us as Wafa shares the story of moving from embroidery ci...

In this episode of "Debrief," we introduce you to the other CJPME podcast: "All Things Palestinian Canadian." Focused on the lives and experiences of Palestinians in the diaspora, "All Things Palestinian Canadian" (ATPC) has interviewed Palestinian authors, filmmakers, artists, and more. In this episode, ATPC speaks with Wafa Ghnaim, an award-winning Palestinian researcher, educator, author and expert in Tatreez living in Washington, DC. Her book, titled, Tatreez and Tea: Embroide...

Is the Trudeau government ignoring warnings from its diplomats about Israel’s human rights abuses? On this episode, Michael is joined by Alex Cosh of the Maple to discuss his ongoing reporting on what Canadian officials are saying behind the scenes, and how that often conflicts with Canada’s public statements. We talk about Canada’s warm reception to Israel’s far-right government, its reaction to Israel’s 2022 attack on Gaza, and how it stopped pushing for accountability over Israel’s assassi...

Last summer, a number of Canadian university presidents participated in a controversial trip to Israel, for the purpose of building partnerships between Canadian and Israeli universities. The trip, which was organized by a major pro-Israel lobby group, has sparked major concerns over the possible impact on human rights and academic freedom. On this episode, Michael is joined by faculty members Dyala Hamzah and Jillian Rogin to talk about what we know about the delegation, how Israeli universi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rana Nazzal, a Palestinian-Canadian artist living between Palestine, Ottawa and Toronto. Among other things, Rana’s powerful art explores Palestinians’ relationship with the land, and the themes of Palestinian memory and loss. In addition to her art, she is also an activist and campaigner on grassroots issues including not only Palestinian human rights, but also climate change, Indigenous rights, and more. Join us as we talk to Rana about her art, and ho...

On this episode, Michael is joined by Emma Paling of the Breach to talk about the recent discovery that the Bank of Montreal (BMO) gave a $90m loan to Israel’s largest weapons company Elbit Systems. We discuss Elbit’s human rights record, Canada’s own contracts for military technology from Elbit, and why some investors have decided to divest from the company.Links from this podcast:The Breach: Revealed: BMO bankrolled Israeli weapons maker with a $90M loanCJPME backgrounder: Canada’s Elbit Dr...

As we launch our first ATPC episode for 2023, we note that we sadly said goodbye to Nur Watad in December, as she made the decision to move on to new career challenges elsewhere. But we are thrilled to have lined up a very articulate and capable new co-host in the meantime, Ms. Rafeef Dajani. Rafeef has been a friend to CJPME for several years, and more importantly, an ardent participant in the global Palestine solidarity movement. So this is our chance to introduce Rafeef, and have her talk ...

On this episode, Michael is joined by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967. We talk about Israel’s recent deadly attack on the Jenin refugee camp and why she believes these actions violate international law. We also talk about apartheid, settler-colonialism, and what we can expect to see from the UN’s Commission of Inquiry and the International Court of Justice, both of which are investigating Israel’s occu...

On this episode, Tom and Michael are joined by Ramzy Baroud and Ilan Pappé, co-editors of the book “Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out.” In their new book, they bring together a diverse group of Palestinian voices – from filmmakers to religious figures to politicians and more – to share their own experiences and perspectives on the way forward for Palestine. We discuss the meaning of Palestinian liberation and decolonization, why the May 2021 up...

On November 1st, Israelis completed their fifth election in four years, returning Benjamin Netanyahu to power with the support of extreme, far-right figures who are about to play a major role in the emerging coalition government. Although negotiations to form the government are still underway, it is commonly said that this may be Israel’s most far-right government in history. On this episode, we are joined by Natasha Roth-Rowland of +972 Magazine to break down the election, introduce us to th...

In this episode, we’re joined by Fida Jiryis, Palestinian author currently living in Ramallah. Jiryis grew up in Lebanon and Cyprus, the daughter of famed Palestinian thinker and leader, Sabri Jiryis. As her family fled Israel’s oppression and wars, Jiryis’ life has spanned the full spectrum of the Palestinian people’s forced fragmentation: in Israel, the West Bank and the diaspora. Her writings include several collections of Arabic short stories; a contribution to the book, Kingd...

CJPME’s Michael Bueckert recently returned from a two-week trip to Palestine-Israel. During his time there, Bueckert met with dozens of Palestinian community leaders and organizations, politicians, youth activists, business leaders, and academics. He also visited current hotspots including Sheikh Jarrah, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Jenin, as well as unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Naqab. Get an update from Palestine as Bueckert shares his observations, and ponders what the ...

In this episode, we’re joined by Rimah Jabr, a Palestinian play wright and theatre director based in Toronto who is currently pursuing her PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies at York University. Rimah’s career arc is far from ordinary: after studying and working in accounting for several years, Rimah finally had her breakout opportunity at age 30, and found herself at Belgium’s Royal Institute for Theatre, Cinema & Sound. There, while she earned her Masters degree, she wrot...

In this episode, we are joined by Wafa Alzaghal, Palestinian-Canadian President & CEO of The Canadian Arabic Orchestra. Wafa grew up playing the Qanun, also known as the dulcimer, after being inspired by his father’s love for classical Arabic music. Wafa co-founded the Canadian Arabic Orchestra in 2014, and has been busy touring Canada with a repertoire of both Western and Eastern tunes. Join us for a conversation with Wafa to hear about his motivation to establish the Canadian Arabic Orc...

In this episode, we are joined by Saba Amro and Annette Lengyel, two Calgary-based activists who have been at the forefront of pressuring Calgary to cancel a contract with Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) – a Spanish/Basque company which is unethically involved in a $2.5 billion CDN contract to expand Jerusalem Light Rail (JLR) network. Join us as we discuss Calgary’s contract with apartheid, and how Calgary’s Palestinian solidarity groups are trying to bring it to an en...

In this episode, we are joined by Dalia Elcharbini, Palestinian-Canadian contemporary artist and international exhibitor based in Toronto. While Dalia’s artistic style is distinct and unique, she frequently infuses it with symbolism and memories of Palestine. Listen in as we discuss her art, her inspiration, her Palestinian identity and her efforts to use art to help children impacted by war. Links: Dalia Elcharbini’s InstagramDalia Elcharbini’s WebsiteOur Stars School Found...

What and who are the main drivers of anti-Muslim hate in Canada? On this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Jasmin Zine, author of a new report on the Canadian “Islamophobia Industry.” We talk about some of the key organizations, personalities, and discourses responsible for perpetuating anti-Muslim hate in Canada, and how the connections between them form an ecosystem of hate. As part of this discussion, we will look at the role of certain fringe-right, pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian vo...

In this episode, we are joined by Serene Husni, a video editor, mentor, writer and translator. A Diasporic Palestinian and immigrant from Jordan turned Canadian settler, she calls herself “a displaced human existing between multiple cultures, languages, and locales.” She creates most of her own work in her mother tongue, Arabic. Freely available to watch online, her latest film “Brown Bread & Apricots” (2020) talks about the importance of the pantry in her father’s exiled Palestinian fami...

Last spring, Fernwood Publishing announced a new book, Advocating for Palestine in Canada: one of the first-ever books about Palestinian solidarity work in Canada. Michael Bueckert, one of Debrief’s regular hosts wrote a chapter in the book looking at how Israel seeks to deflect and dismiss criticisms of its oppressive and apartheid practices. This subject matter is also the focus of Michael’s PhD dissertation. Join us as Michael discusses his chapter, and learn how today’s ...

Is Canadian media biased towards Israel and against Palestinians? Where does bias come from, and how can we challenge it? On this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Passage’s Davide Mastracci, author of a chapter on Canadian media and pro-Israel bias in the book Advocating for Palestine in Canada (Fernwood, 2022). We talk about the role of journalists, editors, corporate owners, and lobby groups in pushing media coverage to be favourable to Israel, and how these factors undermine reportin...

In this episode, we are joined by Saeed Teebi, a writer and lawyer based in Toronto who has recently released a highly celebrated book of short stories entitled, “Her First Palestinian.” Teebi’s book is a collection of stories about diaspora Palestinians struggling to find their place as immigrants to Canada. It is also one of five books shortlisted for the $60,000 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for Fiction this year. The title story in the book, "Her First Palestinian,"...

Tom and Michael discuss a recent report authored by Michael and its implications for upcoming votes on Palestinian human rights at the United Nations General Assembly. The report, based on documents obtained through an access to information request, found that Canada’s career foreign affairs officials are highly critical of Canada’s staunchly pro-Israel record, and have been pushing for a change in the government’s approach. We break down the report’s findings and what they say about Canada a...

Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian from Nazareth who is currently completing a degree in Interreligious and Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology in Canada. Prior to coming to Canada, Shadia studied International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, as well as Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College in Ireland. She has worked for over 10 years in policy initiatives and peacebuilding in various organizations, both local...

On this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Sheryl Nestel and Rowan Gaudet of Independent Jewish Voices Canada to talk about their new report on the suppression of speech on Palestine on Canadian campuses. We look at how pro-Israel groups have used harassment and intimidation against pro-Palestine academics to create a “chilly” atmosphere for debate. We talk about how students have been affected by these attacks and discuss the role of the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism in s...

Abeer Barakat is a Palestinian lecturer of English at the University College of Applied Sciences in Gaza and is a PhD candidate at the University of Putra Malaysia. Abeer is an activist for the Palestinian cause and has done amazing activism work in the field of female empowerment and has provided mothers and children impacted by attacks on Gaza with continuous psychological support. She as well has published a number of academic articles about the Palestinian-Israeli media discou...

Shawky Fahel came to Canada in the 1960’s and started his first business in 1979 with a $1000 loan and nothing more than a few carpet and paint supplies. Based in Waterloo, ON, Shawky became successful businessman, political activist and philanthropist who has received innumerable awards over the years, both at the local and national level, for his various contributions. Yet amidst all this busyness and success, he has remained committed to improving the lives of Palestinians, bot...

Two months ago, Fernwood Publishing announced a new book, Advocating for Palestine in Canada: one of the first-ever books about Palestinian solidarity work in Canada. Tom Woodley, one of Debrief’s regular hosts wrote a chapter in the book discussing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that lie before the Palestinian solidarity movement in Canada. With Michael on vacation, our podcast engineer Madeleine Moffatt takes the microphone to interview Tom about his chapt...

On this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Jasmin Zine to talk about her new book on Islamophobia and the 9/11 generation. We discuss how Islamophobia is more than just “fear” or “hate” towards Muslims, and why we should understand it as a “structure of oppression.” We also talk about the surveillance that Muslims students face on campus, the gendered nature of Islamophobia, and evaluate whether Canada is doing enough to address white supremacist and anti-Muslim violence. Links...

Earlier this year, McGill students won a major victory when a campus referendum passed by 71% to adopt a Palestine Solidarity Policy. Almost immediately, however, this decision was suppressed by university administrators and the student association. In this episode, Michael is joined by members of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR McGill) to discuss their recent victory, and how they are dealing with McGill’s attempts to crush student activism. Links from this podcast:SPHR Mc...

In a legal victory this month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ruled that “Product of Israel” labels on wine from illegal Israeli settlements are “false” and violate Canadian consumer protection law. On this episode, Michael is joined by David Kattenburg and lawyer Dimitri Lascaris, who have led this multiple-year legal battle against settlement wine. We talk about what the legal decision means, the challenges ahead to get accurate labeling, and the importance of ending trade with ...

Malak El Batroukh, a Palestinian-Canadian based in Waterloo has just launched an exciting new community project called Sporas (Scattered.) Through this project, Malak aims to make Palestinian culture and tradition more accessible to diaspora youth. In this episode, we talk to Malak about her vision for Sporas, and her broader work as a activist for Palestinian rights and freedom. Learn more: Sporas Instagram page Announcement of Malak's undergraduate fellowship from CJPME...

One year ago, Human Rights Watch published a landmark report on Israeli apartheid. On this episode Michael is joined by Omar Shakir, HRW’s Israel and Palestine director, to reflect on the reactions to that report and the growing international consensus on apartheid. In addition, we talk about his experience of being deported by Israel, documenting Israeli war crimes in Gaza, and the how killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh demonstrates Israel’s pattern of violence against journalists.&nbsp...

Among Canadian politicians, NDP MP Niki Ashton has been one of the most consistent voices in support of Palestinian rights. Ashton joins Michael and Tom to talk about why it is important for her to challenge Canada’s complicity in Israeli apartheid. We also discuss what it was like trying to advocate for Palestine under the pro-Israel leadership of Tom Mulcair, assess whether the position of the NDP has improved in recent years, and hear why international solidarity is so necessary. Link...

In this special Nakba edition, lawyer James Kafieh joins the conversation. Kafieh has advocated for the rights of Palestinians and Arabs in Canada his whole life, leading both the Canadian Arab Federation and the Palestinian Canadian Congress at various points. Kafieh was born in Canada to Palestinian parents who were among the first Palestinian refugees to emigrate to Canada. Raised as a second generation Canadian, the son of immigrants, hear how his understanding of his Pa...

In this episode, we are joined by Nur Watad, a Palestinian Canadian living in London Ontario who is also the host of the brand new CJPME podcast “All Things Palestinian Canadian.” Tom and Michael speak to Nur about her vision for ATPC, and why it is important to provide a platform for discussions of Palestinian-Canadian identity, history, and culture. We also hear about Nur’s experiences growing up in Jerusalem on both sides of the Green Line, and discuss why Palestinian culture can’t be sepa...

In 2021, CJPME co-published the first national survey on anti-Arab racism in Canada, in collaboration with the Arab-Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA) and the Canadian Arab Federation. In this episode, Dania Majid, president of the ACLA joins us to talk about the survey and what it says about the insidious problem of racism against Arab-Canadians. Together we discuss both high-level data and personal examples of how this racism undermines the lives and prospects of Canada's...

Like many Palestinian Canadians, Grace Batchoun came to Canada as a young person, and had to find her way in a new country, with two new languages. But she never forgot her Palestinian roots, and two decades after arriving in Canada, she co-founded Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME). In this episode, Grace joins Nur to talk about her Palestinian identity, her vision and work for Palestinian human rights, and the challenges she faced along the way. Can...

It has been nearly three months since Amnesty International published their landmark report on Israel’s apartheid against the Palestinians. In this episode, Michael and Tom are joined by Saleh Hijazi, who leads Amnesty’s office in Jerusalem. We talk about why Amnesty came to the conclusion of apartheid, the threats they’ve faced from the Israeli government, and what ‘apartheid’ has to do with Israel’s current attacks at the Al-Aqsa mosque.Links from this podcast:Amnesty International report: ...

Ramadan began on April 2nd, and Palestinian Muslims join other Muslims across Canada in spiritual reflection, in acts of charity, and in gathering in community. In this episode, Nur and Tom are joined by Dr. Munir El Kassem to talk about Ramadan, and how it can strengthen the ties of heritage, history, and identity among Muslim Palestinian-Canadians. Dr. El Kassem also describes what Ramadan traditions are unique to Palestinians, and how being an ethnic minority in North America influen...

Prof. William Lafi Youmans from George Washington University joins the discussion today as we talk about the image of Israel and the Palestinians in media and public opinion, and how this is changing. Together we talk through the ways in which the public discourse on Palestine-Israel is changing, and the forces pushing it one way or another. We also address the ways in which grassroots groups can help to shape the media discourse, and why the public debate is often resistant to ch...

In 2021, Sarah El Naffar, social media content creator on Instagram and Tik Tok, started using her lifestyle platform to raise awareness on what’s going on in Palestine. She took it upon herself to make her younger audience understand the challenges faced by her country of origin, especially in light of Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah and the events that followed in May, 2021. Sarah joins Nur and Tom to talk about her experience as a Palestinian Canadian infl...

In the late 2000s, the Al Asala Dabke group was formed in London, Ontario. Al Asala, is an Arabic word that translates to "authenticity" in English, which is exactly what Al Asala dabke represents, and more! Al Asala is a dynamic group of young people who infuse authentic Palestinian folkloric dance with Canadian influences for a largely digital audience. Through their creativity and media savvy, they have created an huge platform for themselves across Canada, North America, and worldwi...

Tom and Michael discuss CJPME’s new report on Canada’s arms exports to Israel, and the alarming possibility that Canadian-made weapons may be contributing to violent and illegal Israeli practices. We break down what we know (and what we don’t know) about Canada’s arms exports to Israel, talk about recent trends from a historical perspective, and explain why an embargo on military trade is so necessary. Links from this podcast:•CJPME Report: Arming Apartheid: Canada’s Arms Exports to Israel•Em...

Canadian lawyer Michael Lynk served as the UN's "Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in the [occupied] Palestinian territories" from 2016 to 2022.. During his mandate Lynk faced intense criticism from pro-Israel voices, and Israel banned him from even visiting occupied Palestine. Nonetheless, he distinguished himself remarkably over his six-year term, and just issued a final report concluding that Israel is practicing apartheid. As his tenure comes to an end, Tom ...

Since its construction on a First Nations historical site, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg has been mired in controversy. Throughout its brief history, interest groups have clamoured for influence over the content of the museum's galleries, and the colonial dispossession of Palestinians from their land is just one of many human rights atrocities which has been ignored by the museum's content developers. Will a museum scandal in 2020 precipitate change, or will the...

Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV) has been campaigning for Palestinian rights and against Israeli apartheid since 2008. In March, they ramped up these efforts with a focused new campaign called “Together Against Apartheid,” which hopes to build on the momentum of Amnesty’s recent apartheid report. Tom and Michael are joined by IJV’s Corey Balsam and Louise Smith to discuss the campaign, and how Canadians can get involved. Links from this podcast:IJV’s Together Against Apartheid camp...

For Palestinian children under occupation, last year was the most violent since 2014. From bullets, to tear-gas, to arbitrary arrests, and early morning raids, there are many features of Israel’s brutal military occupation which make Palestine unsafe for children. Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) is an NGO which has been documenting Israeli abuses and advocating for the rights of children since 1991, and which was recently outlawed by the Israeli government. On this episo...

Anyone who has spent time arguing about Israel and Palestine on the internet knows that there is a lot of misinformation out there, which aims to obscure the reality of Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism. In this episode, Tom and Michael are joined by Rawan and Fathi, the creators of the fantastic resource website “Decolonize Palestine,” to talk about fighting the social media war, what decolonization means for Palestine, and to debunk some of our favourite pro-Israel myths. You ...

In this episode, Tom and Michael discuss some of the recent outrageous claims, assertions, campaigns and complaints of pro-Israel lobby group B'nai Brith Canada. We start with a ridiculous announcement suggesting that the Canadian government is falling over itself to fund “antisemitic NGOs” at home and abroad. Next, we turn to a story where they are literally trying to police the Facebook likes of Montreal city councillors. Following that, we take some time to look at their ...

In the first few hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many media commentators expressed disbelief that war could emerge again in Europe. War, these commentators seemed to suggest, was something that only happened in "impoverished and remote populations" in places "like Iraq" or "areas in North Africa." But the media's bias against the Middle East – especially Palestine – goes far beyond the naïve blunders of on-air commentators. In this episode, Tom and Michael compare the media's coverage ...

There was a major BDS victory in February when the University of Toronto Students’ Association, one of the largest student unions in the country, passed a motion in support of divesting from companies that are complicit in the Israeli occupation. Tom and Michael are joined by Moe Alqasem of the Palestinian Youth Movement to discuss the vote and what it says about the state of the solidarity movement on campus today. Links from this podcast:Students win historic BDS victory at U of T (Spr...

Canada’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week has been prompt, forceful, and wide-ranging. But there are obvious similarities between Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Israel’s aggression against the Palestinians, raising questions about the consistency of Canada’s foreign policy. In this episode, Tom and Michael examine Canada’s response to Russia’s invasion and explore the double-standard evident in how it responds to Israel’s violence, occupation, and annexa...

In 2019, the NDP removed Rana Zaman as a federal election candidate over her tweets defending Palestinians during the 2018 Gaza March of Return. Although Rana took responsibility for the comments she made, and although she was approved to run for the Greens in 2021, she continues to face attempts to ostracize her from the public conversation. Rana joins the conversation today to talk about her experiences as a community activist and political candidate. Links from this podcast:“Can...

Even before Amnesty published its report on Israeli Apartheid, Canada’s pro-Israel groups were dismissing it as antisemitic. But what are they saying now? Yesterday, CJPME ‘infiltrated’ CIJA’s “Has Amnesty International Lost its Way?” webinar to hear whether Amnesty’s report had caused any serious reflection among Israel’s supporters. Unfortunately, the session was an echo chamber of denial and dismissal. In this episode, Tom and Michael respond to the ludicrous claims and misinformatio...

Many Canadians contemplate running for political office one day. But what if supporting Palestinian human rights automatically disqualifies you from running for a political party? Newmarket education advocate Shameela Shakeel thought she’d be a great fit as a nominee for the Liberal Party in Ontario’s May election. But despite her long-time community activism for public education and her deep roots in the riding, in the eyes of the Ontario Liberal Party, her support for Palestinian human righ...

Earlier this week, Amnesty International published a landmark study concluding that Israel maintains an apartheid regime of oppression and domination over the Palestinian people as a whole. To dive further into this report, Michael and Tom are joined by Nihad Ben Salah of Amnistie internationale canada francophone, who shares with us insight into the motivations behind this report, and what it will mean for Amnesty’s work going forward. Links from this podcast:CJPME campaign: email polit...

In a well-research new report published today, Amnesty International has concluded that Israel maintains an “apartheid” regime of oppression and domination over the Palestinian people as a whole. Tom and Michael discuss their initial reactions to the report, and consider how Canada might respond.Links from this podcast:CJPME campaign: email politicians to act!Report by Amnesty InternationalWho is talking about Israeli Apartheid? (CJPME resource) Subscribe to this podcast, and donate to C...

The past year has seen a series of incidents which highlight the Toronto District School Board’s compulsion to muzzle Palestinian perspectives. In this episode, Tom, Michael and long-time TDSB equity veteran Tim McCaskell explore several shocking instances of anti-Palestinian racism – from the 1980s to present day. What is the TDSB’s decades-long history of silencing Palestinian voices, what is behind it, and how can it be countered? Links from this podcast:Article by ...

Muslim Awareness Week (MAW) is a yearly week of solidarity and exchange where people are invited to learn about the achievements, contributions, aspirations and concerns of Quebecers of Muslim faith. This year’s MAW marks the five-year anniversary of the tragic shooting on January 29, 2017 in a Quebec City mosque which left six Muslim-Canadians dead, and the first commemoration since the federal government reserved January 29 as a national day of remembrance and action against Islamopho...

Desmond Tutu dedicated much of his life to the abolition of Apartheid in South Africa, but he was also a consistent campaigner against injustice everywhere, including in Palestine. Following his passing in December, Western leaders celebrated Tutu’s life, but largely ignored this aspect of his legacy. Rev. Robert Assaly of Canadian Friends of Sabeel joins the conversation today as we talk about Desmond Tutu’s lifetime of solidarity with the Palestinians, and his willingness to talk open...