Palestine Debrief

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, both in Palestine and in the diaspora in Canada.  His most recent philanthropic gesture – one that we’ll discuss during our conversation – was a donation of $100,000 to launch a Foundation for Palestinian Studies at the University of Waterloo.  Continue reading

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 chapter, and to explore the potential opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the movement. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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. On 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. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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 labelling, and the importance of ending trade with illegal settlements altogether. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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.   Continue reading

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. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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. If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading

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 Palestinian identity, and the Nakba has evolved over time.  Continue reading

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 separated from politics.  If you can, rate us and write a nice review if you like what you hear. It helps other people find our podcast and learn about the issues. Here are the instructions on how to find, rate, review and share the podcast on eight different platforms: Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Deezer, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio. Continue reading