Arab Talk with Jess & Jamal

Епизоде

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  The West Bank, Settlement Trade and International Law 13.09.2026 58мин

  The UK is moving to ban goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, citing international law and the International Court of Justice’s 2024 advisory opinion. France and Canada have announced similar measures, as settler violence and settlement expansion intensify. The debate has also been sharpened by Israel’s planned E1 settlement expansion, which could further divide the West Bank and restrict Palestinian territorial contiguity. What does international law require of governments and companies—and could these trade restrictions have a meaningful impact? Joining us on Arab Talk is Emily Schaeffer Omer-Man, an international humanitarian law expert and founder of the Global Echo Litigation Center, which investigates corporate complicity in violations connected to Israel’s occupation.
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  David Miller and the Fight for Academic Freedom 30.08.2026 58мин

  Professor of Sociology David Miller has prevailed in a longstanding legal battle with the University of Bristol, which dismissed him in 2021 over comments critical of Zionism and its relationship to antisemitism. After Miller won a landmark appeal in 2024, the University challenged the decision. That challenge was rejected this August, with the Tribunal ruling that Miller’s criticism of Zionism constituted philosophical beliefs worthy of respect and protected under UK equality law. Miller sees the ruling as an important victory for academics and activists who criticize Zionism and advocate for Palestinian rights. He is now seeking compensation and reinstatement at the University of Bristol. On Arab Talk, Miller discusses the significance of his legal victory and what it could mean for free expression and Palestine advocacy in the UK.
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  Raz Segal: Challenging Genocide Denial 23.08.2026 48мин

  The war in Gaza has sparked an intense and deeply contested debate over whether Israel’s conduct meets the legal definition of genocide. Genocide scholars, human rights organizations, and legal experts have advanced arguments supporting that characterization, while Israel and its supporters strongly reject it. At the same time, scholars, journalists, students, and others who have criticized Israel’s actions have faced contentious debates—and, in some cases, disciplinary, professional, and institutional pressure. On this episode of Arab Talk, we are joined by Raz Segal, a prominent scholar of Holocaust and Genocide Studies. In his widely discussed 2023 Jewish Currents essay, “A Textbook Case of Genocide,” Segal argued that Israeli officials’ rhetoric and actions in Gaza met several criteria established by the 1948 Genocide Convention.
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  Can Israel Buy Back Its Image? 17.08.2026 52мин

  Israel is dramatically expanding spending on hasbara—its international public-diplomacy and communications effort. The 2026 budget allocates roughly $730 million to public diplomacy, more than four times the approximately $150 million allocated the year before. The increase comes as Israel faces intense international criticism over the Gaza war and declining support in parts of the global public. Supporters say Israel needs a much stronger communications operation to counter what they describe as hostile or misleading narratives. Critics argue that public relations can’t overcome the political and humanitarian consequences of government policy—and that hundreds of millions spent on messaging may have limited impact if those policies remain unchanged. The question is whether Israel can change the narrative without changing the realities driving it.
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  Michigan Matters: Is the Democratic Primary the Party's Litmus Test? 02.08.2026 54мин

  Michigan Matters: Is the Democratic Primary the Party's Litmus Test? by News You Can Use with Jamal Dajani & Jess Ghannam
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  The New U.S.–Israel Defense Partnership: What’s at Stake? 26.07.2026 53мин

  As U.S. military support for Israel faces growing scrutiny, Congress is considering legislation that could dramatically deepen defense cooperation between the two countries. Supporters say it's a necessary step to strengthen innovation and security. Critics argue it would create an unprecedented level of institutional integration with significant implications for U.S. policy and sovereignty. To help us understand what's at stake, we're joined by Josh Paul, co-founder and director of A New Policy and the former Director of the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Josh resigned in October 2023 over the Biden administration's continued arms transfers to Israel during the Gaza war.
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  The Battle for Michigan-Money, Politics, and Influence 19.07.2026 49мин

  One of the biggest stories in the 2026 Michigan Democratic Senate primary isn't just the candidates—it's the money. AIPAC's affiliated Super PAC, United Democracy Project, has poured more than $10 million into the race backing Representative Haley Stevens, part of a broader wave of outside spending that has topped $40 million. The spending has far outpaced support for her opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, and has reignited debate over the influence of Super PACs and pro-Israel advocacy groups in Democratic primaries, especially when candidates are critical of Israeli government policy.
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  The Essence of Childhood Has Been Destroyed 07.07.2026 52мин

  A new UN Commission of Inquiry report examines the impact of Israel's war on Palestinian children since 7 October 2023. Titled The Essence of Childhood Has Been Destroyed, the report says more than 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed and at least 44,000 injured. The Commission says its investigation builds on its September 2025 findings, which concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, and finds that the targeting and killing of children forms part of that broader campaign. It also documents the destruction of schools, hospitals, water systems, food distribution networks, and maternal healthcare, along with allegations of violence, arbitrary detention, and abuse of Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Joining us today on this episode of Arab Talk is Chris Sidoti, human rights lawyer and Commissioner on the UN Human Rights Council's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.
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  The Gaza Reckoning- UN Allegations and America's Political Divide 28.06.2026 54мин

  A new UN commission report accuses Israeli authorities of deliberately targeting Palestinian children in Gaza, alleging actions that may constitute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Meanwhile, recent Democratic primaries, especially in New York City, have renewed debate over AIPAC's political influence and whether criticism of Israeli government policies is reshaping the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and Palestine. To discuss the report's legal significance and the political implications of these elections, we're joined by human rights lawyer and political activist Stanley Cohen.
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  From Words into Action 14.06.2026 58мин

  This episode examines the Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress, taking place in Dublin from June 26–28. Building on last year’s inaugural gathering in Vienna, the Congress brings together Jewish activists and allies committed to equality, justice, and Palestinian rights. Under the theme “From Words into Action,” participants will focus on turning shared principles into practical strategies for change. Our guest is Ronnie Barkan, Israeli Jewish activist, educator, co-founder of Boycott from Within, and one of the Congress’s founders and organizers. He joins us to discuss the goals of this year’s event and the future of Jewish anti-Zionist organizing.
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  Pentagon Elevates Israel Counterintelligence Threat as Congress Pushes US-Israel Military Ties 07.06.2026 53мин

  Jess & Jamal examine a development that raises difficult questions about intelligence, alliances, and the future of U.S. foreign policy. The Pentagon has reportedly elevated its counterintelligence threat assessment regarding Israel, citing concerns about espionage and intelligence security. At the same time, lawmakers in Congress are advancing proposals aimed at deepening military integration between the United States and Israel. How can Washington reconcile growing counterintelligence concerns with efforts to strengthen strategic cooperation, and who will end up paying for them?
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  Beaten at Sea: Inside Israel’s Seizure of the Global Sumud Flotilla 31.05.2026 52мин

  The Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid mission to Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, with activists detained and ships redirected to Israeli ports. Human rights groups allege detainees faced abuse, including beatings, humiliation, denial of medical care, and sexual violence. During the latest interception, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir filmed himself taunting zip-tied detainees at the Port of Ashdod, prompting international condemnation. Joining us today on Arab Talk is environmental activist Violet Coco, one of eleven Australians aboard the flotilla. She says detainees suffered serious injuries and were denied essential medications while in custody.
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  After San Diego: Confronting Anti-Muslim Hate in America 25.05.2026 57мин

  A recent shooting attack targeting a mosque complex in San Diego, where two gunmen killed three people, has renewed concerns about the rising climate of Islamophobia in the United States. Many advocates say anti-Muslim hate has been fueled by the normalization of inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders and other high-profile public figures. In this episode, we speak with Jenin Younes, National Legal Director and Interim President of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, about the broader climate of Islamophobia in America, the disparities in how hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted, and the legal and political measures needed to protect the civil rights and safety of Muslim Americans.
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  Doctors Detained: Inside Gaza’s Medical Crisis 04.05.2026 57мин

  Gaza’s healthcare system is nearing collapse. Hospitals are damaged, supplies are blocked, and many doctors have been killed or detained. Now, Physicians for Human Rights Israel has petitioned Israel’s High Court, demanding the release of 14 Palestinian doctors held without charge. These detainees include senior surgeons and hospital leaders—some taken while on duty. Among them is Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, whose detention was recently extended indefinitely. Today, we’re joined by Naji Abbas from PHRI to discuss what this means for Gaza’s already fragile medical system.
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  Missing in Gaza: Stories Behind the Numbers 27.04.2026 52мин

  The reported death toll in Gaza, now approaching 73,000, continues to rise. Even during the ceasefire, people are still being killed or dying from starvation and lack of medical care. Thousands more remain missing, detained, or buried under rubble, with families still searching for answers amid limited transparency and restricted access to forensic resources. On today’s episode of Arab Talk, we’re joined by Mahmoud Mushtaha, Palestinian journalist and researcher from Gaza, now based in the UK. In a recent Wired investigation, he explores one family’s search for a missing loved one, offering a personal lens on a much wider crisis.
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  Lebanon Ceasefire: Pause or Precarious Deal? 19.04.2026 53мин

  After initially refusing, the U.S. agreed to include Lebanon in ceasefire talks with Iran, backing a separate 10-day Israel–Lebanon truce that took effect April 17 at midnight. The deal follows Israel’s renewed invasion of southern Lebanon in March amid its broader conflict with Iran. Under the agreement, Israel retains control of occupied southern areas and reserves the right to respond to threats; Hezbollah says it will comply if Israel does. Some view the deal as a necessary pause, while others see it as a risky concession. To unpack these developments, we’re joined on Arab Talk by Dr. Rania Masri, board member of the Environmental Justice Network and former Associate Director at the American University of Beirut’s Asfari Institute.
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  Targeted Justice? Discrimination in Israel’s New Death Penalty Law 12.04.2026 53мин

  On March 31, the Knesset passed a controversial law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians, including both West Bank residents and Israeli citizens, while excluding Jewish settlers. The law makes execution the default sentence, to be carried out within 90 days with no option for appeal or pardon. Hanging is the designated method, and some lawmakers signaled support by wearing noose-shaped pins. To discuss its implications and the legal context, we’re joined by Sawsan Zaher, a Palestinian human rights lawyer and former Deputy General Director and Senior Lawyer at Adalah, where she worked for 16 years on constitutional cases involving Palestinian rights.
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  Iran: From Strikes to Regional War 05.04.2026 47мин

  What began in late February as coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities has rapidly expanded into a far more dangerous confrontation. In response, Iran has launched waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli cities, key strategic sites, and U.S. military bases across the region—fueling growing concern over a prolonged and widening conflict. To help unpack these developments, we’re joined on Arab Talk by Dr. Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi, a researcher and lecturer in international politics at the University of St Andrews, and author of Revolution and its "Discontents: Political Thought and Reform in Iran."
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  Israel Denies Christians Access to the Holy Sepulchre 29.03.2026 52мин

  Journalist Daoud Kuttab examines how Israel has used global attention on Iran to intensify settler violence and expand the seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank. He also describes how attacks and harassment by the Israeli government and settlers against Palestinian Christians have increased, targeting their towns and villages as well as churches, schools, and other religious institutions. Kuttab is a former Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University and the publisher of Milhilard.org, a platform dedicated to the Christian community in Jordan and Palestine. He currently serves as Senior Communications Officer for the World Evangelical Alliance. He is the author of several books, most recently State of Palestine NOW.
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  US, Israel and Iran War: Censorship, Settler Pogroms and Global Fallout 22.03.2026 57мин

  Oren Ziv examines Israel’s wartime military censorship amid its conflict with Iran, shedding light on how information is controlled during periods of escalation. He also highlights a surge in violent settler attacks on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, particularly targeting herding communities in the Northern Jordan Valley under the cover of war. Oren is a photojournalist and a reporter for Local Call and +972 Magazine and a co-founder of Active Stills photography collective. Jess and Jamal explore the recent strikes on Iranian and Israeli nuclear facilities and the potential environmental consequences of such actions. They also consider whether rising oil prices and a weakening global economy could influence the trajectory—or possible end—of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.