PalCast - One World, One Struggle – Listen to All Episodes Online

I Don’t Want to Leave Gaza – Wining The Reverse Lottery Aug 13, 2026 38:24 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Abdulrahman Al-Sheikh Khalil chose to leave Egypt to pursue his studies in IT. Less than a month later October 7th occurred and he’s spent the last almost 3yrs going through experiences he very much didn’t sign up for. He joins us from Gaza to tell his story. Don’t miss it. Note: This episode is clunky because of the nature of stable WiFi and electricity

The Gaza Grift and the Geopolitical Reality Aug 4, 2026 1:11:12 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef is rejoined by long-time PalCast collaborator, Just World Educational's Helena Cobban and political analyst, commentator and Palestinian from Gaza, Muhammad Shehada, to talk about the truth about the situation in Gaza, the Trump regime's grift, the global response to the Board of Peace and much more. Wildfires and Ocean Heatwaves

International Law didn’t fail, World Leaders failed International Law Jul 28, 2026 32:55 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dana Besaiso is a Gaza-born Palestinian LLM candidate, specialising in Public International Law. She is also a writer with We Are Not Numbers, and having "survived" the Gaza genocide, is now completing her studies in London. She joins us to share her story of hunger, displacement, loss and her hope to complete her studies and then play a role in holding

Ethnic Erasure – The Reality in Occupied Palestine Jul 21, 2026 37:32 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Leila Warah is a Palestinian American multimedia journalist currently based in Palestine. Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates, she holds a degree in Journalism and Media and has significant experience in reporting across digital platforms. Through her social media (@leila.shw on Instagram), Leila creates videos that stay true to the Palestinian q

Public Health in Gaza and Bearing Witness Jul 14, 2026 31:44 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Asmaa Dwimah is a Palestinian writer, poet, artist and dentist from Gaza. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Public Health in London. In this PalCast she shares her experience of life in two worlds, her writings and exploring loss, resilience, identity and bearing witness. MEP Lynn Boylan podcast:https://www.patreon.com/tortoiseshack/posts/p

If You Cannot Say Genocide Jul 7, 2026 36:07 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Yahia Lababidi is an Arab American poet of Palestinian descent and essayist, and the author of sixteen books. His work appears in Liberties, Salmagundi, The Threepenny Review, The New Statesman, The New Arab, and DAWN, among others. His recent books include Palestine Wail (Daraja Press, 2024), written in the first months of Israel’s assault on Gaza, and

I Don’t Want To Write Tragedies Jun 23, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sondos Sabra is a Palestinian writer from Gaza and co-author of Voices of Resistance, currently pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing in the UK. She joins us to discuss her experience of the genocide, the harsh reality of the famine she endured, the loss of several of her family and the heartache of planning for a future when everything is stuck

The Gaza in my mind is not the Gaza I live in now Jun 16, 2026 27:15 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammed R. Isdodi is an English language student from Al-Azhar University whose studies were interrupted by the war. He rejoins us from a "hub" in Gaza City to update us on the latest situation on the ground, the struggle for basics like clean water and his work with others of telling their stories of the last almost three years. He offers a poignant in

‘We Just Ran’ – Mohammad’s Story Jun 9, 2026 24:57 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammad AlTurk is a young English Translator in Gaza. He joins us from Gaza City to discuss the current situation on the ground and to tell his story of the past two and a half years. He also shares his hope for the future. Mikey Cullen from the Gaza Flotilla podcast:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-160504651 Support the Hind Rajab Centre:

Gaza: My Students Keep Me Going – A Teacher Speaks May 30, 2026 45:25 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Palestinian teacher, academic and plain-talker, Arwa Alzraiy was a PhD Student in Durham before October 7th. She had returned to Gaza to collect data as part of her studies just before the genocide began. She joins us now from Gaza to talk truthfully about the reality of the current situation, the plight of the students she teaches and how even the subje

Being a Father is My Most Important Role May 19, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hussam Tannera is a teacher, father and a survivor of the Gaza genocide. He shares his experience taking care of his two children while trying to live as best a life is possible in Gaza today. He tells us an uplifting and ingenious story about starting a coffee brand despite the lack of coffee beans. Many of us take eating meat for granted, but Hussam te

The First Draft of History May 10, 2026 Malak Hijazi is an English Literature graduate, writer, historian of displacement and journalist from Gaza. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, describe life under the ongoing genocide and explain why she is compelled to record what is happening to her people despite the danger to herself. A remarkable young woman. Don’t miss it. Stormont on the Brink pod:https://www.patreon.com/posts/

Gaza bleeds as the world looks away Apr 28, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Khaled Al-Qershali is a writer and journalist from Gaza, focusing on personal narratives and reporting on the humanitarian impact of conflict. He has published articles and essays in outlets such as The Electronic Intifada, The Washington Report of Middle East Affairs, and The Independent. His work highlights stories of resilience, survival, and the live

My Brother Was Food For Wild Dogs Apr 22, 2026 25:01 Please join me at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editor's note: This podcast contains details that you might find upsetting. Amira Attiya, a writer and a student of translation from Gaza, tells the story of how she lost her three siblings—one of them was kidnapped, killed, and even fed to dogs—and that of her father, who was burned with white phosphorus during the Cast Lead operation. Amira was displac

Gaza Has Shown The World The Truth – Iran and Lebanon is Just a Continuation Apr 14, 2026 52:55 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Belal Alakhras is a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) who was born and raised in Gaza. His research focuses on settler colonial studies, conflict resolution, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and Southeast Asia and the escalating war on Iran. In this episode, he talks about his experience watching the gen

Gaza, The Daily Reality As The World Looks Away Apr 7, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editor's note: I'd recommend watching this episode as Noor shares some glimpses of Gaza now. Noor Alhinnawi is a Palestinian writer from Gaza. She is graduating this semester and planning to start her career. After multiple displacements and attempts to cross to the south, she now lives in her relatives home after their own home was destroyed by Israel.

Chasing My Dream Mar 31, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shahd Ismail Mahmoud Miqdad , is a PhD student from Gaza, who dreams of a life beyond the genocide where she will complete her education and life a an independent life safe, far from anything that hurts or touches her or her loved ones. Will Holden joins us from Ebril, Kurdistan, Iraq:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-154305070 Song by Cabi

Displacement is not a Journey Mar 16, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Heba Zeineddin holds a Bachelors Degree in English language and Teaching Methods from Alaqsa University in Gaza. She shares details of her life of displacement and loss in Gaza, where she has displaced with her family, including brother who has a disability, to a tent 12 times. Her family’s home was destroyed. Now she is trying to get back to normal by t

‘It’s not just your life on the line’ Mar 11, 2026 44:04 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack With over 250 journalists killed in Gaza since Oct 7th 2023, there is no more dangerous place in the world to be reporting the news. The threat of death hangs over the journalist and their families. Joining us is Issam Adwan, who is a Palestinian researcher whose work bridges international media, grassroots activism, and academic inquiry. He has worked

Tomorrow Will Be Better Mar 3, 2026 31:20 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editors Note: I’d recommend watching this interview in order to get a sense of the reality in Gaza right now. Muhammad Almassarey holds a PhD in Business-Management (Entrepreneurship) from UUM- Malaysia. He wrote 60% of his thesis during the genocide from Gaza. He shares with us the journey of getting his PhD from a tent in Gaza and how acts of solidarit

Giving Up Was Never An Option Feb 24, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shams Mazen Rajab is a Palestinian graduate in English Language and Teaching Methods from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and translator whose work conveys the resilience, struggles, and hopes of her community. Her articles and poems have been published in international platforms such as We Are Not Numbers, the collective blog Through Our Eye

Drones, Jets and Harry Potter in Gaza Feb 17, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Mohammed Isdodi is an English student in Al-Azhar University, Gaza, whose studies and plans were interrupted by the genocide. He joins us from Deir Balah to talk about his experiences, dreams, plans and why he speaks with an English accent. Please note I've not done too many audio cosmetics on this podcast as we are joined by drones and jets during the i

‘I can’t recognise this life’ Feb 12, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Abdalkhaliq Abugaza is a high school student living in Gaza. He was born in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents and moved home to Gaza in 2020. He is passionate about programming, storytelling, using technology to support education and humanitarian work. In this Palcast episode, he shares his experience of displacement, loss, life before the genocide and

From Novelty Socks to Reporting on a Genocide Feb 7, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Hassan Abo Qamar is a journalist and writer from Gaza. He’s also a first-year engineering student at the Islamic University of Gaza. His work has been published in outlets such as The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Nation, The Electronic Intifada, and The New Arab, among others, with a focus on documenting the humanitarian reality in Gaza beyond traditional p

Writing to Remember Jan 23, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Reem Hamadaqa is a Palestinian translator and storyteller from Gaza. She uses her writing to remember and to keep her lost loved ones alive. In this very special PalCast she tells her story of semi-surviving the genocide in Gaza. Please make sure you listen to this remarkable young woman. Comrade Mark Carney, Davos and Inequality podcast is here:https://

Erasing Israeli War Crimes Jan 20, 2026 19:03 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this short PalCast, Yousef updates us on what is happening in Gaza, the ever expanding Yellow Line, the destruction of what little infrastructure remains, the creation of new mass graves and how the Knesset plans to hang Palestinian "prisoners." Semi-Surviving the Genocide with Reem Hamdaqa is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusiv

You’ll Have to Kill Me – Ali’s Story Part 2 Jan 15, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This podcast contains a personal story that discusses topics that some listeners may find upsetting. Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way

‘You’ll Have To Kill Me’ – Ali Skaik Jan 8, 2026 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: This podcast contains a personal story that discusses topics that some listeners may find upsetting. Ali Skaik is an English Literature student and writer from Gaza City. In his own words: "Literature should be lived and not just read. Growing up amid the struggles in Gaza, every word I write carries the reality I face daily. Literature became my way

A Tent is Not a Home Jan 2, 2026 32:54 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Riwaa Abuquta is a young woman from Rafah city whose life has been shaped by displacement, loss, and the constant search for safety. Alongside with her family, her elderly parents and 5 sisters, one of whom is disabled, she shares the story of life in a tent for a year and a half. Since the beginning of the war, she has been uprooted from her home, carry

The Palestinian Phoenix Dec 21, 2025 Ali Al Omari is a Palestinian-Philippino artist and architecture graduate, who holds a masters degree from the Victoria University of Wellington. His work focuses on Palestinian art, Sumud and Resistance through architecture. In this episode, he talks about architecture in Palestinian history including that of Gaza, a city that rises from the ashes, just like the Phoenix, tune in for the full epis

Gaza Floods as the Genocide Continues Dec 13, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef talks with Tony about the most recent events in Gaza, including the devastating floods, what's happening in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and how the aid situation is nowhere near where it needs to be. They outline the differences between the reality on the ground and the ridiculous narrative that the ceasefire is holding. The

Balsam eases the pain Dec 2, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Eva Abu Mariam is a 20 year-old woman from Gaza studying dentistry at Al-Azhar University–Gaza, who is involved deeply in community work in the field in Gaza. She joins us from her family home after 25 months of displacement, famine and tragedy. Please watch this podcast. Yes, the subject matter is heavy. But her spirit is indomitable. Her poem that we d

Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone Nov 27, 2025 37:51 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Abdullah Al-Yazouri, is a 15-year old sophomore currently residing in Gaza. He came to global attention as the narrator of the award winning documentary “Gaza: How to Survive a War-zone." The BBC later pulled the documentary because of his fathers job in the Dept of Agriculture in Gaza. He talks about the documentary, the "controversy", his experience du

If I Start To Grieve I Might Never Stop Nov 21, 2025 28:15 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Maryam Elwaheidy is a translator with a strong foundation in English, Arabic. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Translation from Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She joins us from Gaza city to update us on the latest situation on the ground with the heavy fall of rain which flooded the tents of displaced Palestinians. We also discuss how the world is

‘It’s 2026 soon, But to me it’s always October 2023’ Nov 14, 2025 30:56 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ayat Abuhelal is a poet, writer, translator, and student of English literature, born and raised in Gaza. She was recently evacuated to Ireland to continue her academic studies. While finishing her BA studies online, she is preparing to start her MA studies in Dublin. She shares a story of struggle between two worlds. This story is of displacement, hope a

The World is a Hotel, Gaza is my Home Nov 7, 2025 26:03 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sojood Bakroon is a graduate of Literature at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and a poet, who hopes to amplify the Palestinian voice and let the world know about Palestine and Gaza. She is now in Ireland doing English and Communication at UCD. In this PalCast episode, she shares her experience of loss, displacement and fonding hope and sadnes

There’s No Ceasefire Outside My Window Oct 31, 2025 31:03 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: Contains personal stories that some listeners may find upsetting. This week Israel broke the ceasefire with devastating consequences, killing over 100 people, including 46 children. Somehow most western media is reporting that they've now reinstated it. We live in terrible times. Our guest, Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-years-old writer and poet from Gaza a

The Genocide Changed Me – Noor’s Story Oct 23, 2025 36:10 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii re

The Ceasefire and Counting Our Losses Oct 19, 2025 38:20 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Baraa Qandeel is a Palestinian poet, translator and writer from Gaza. She works in marketing and has suffered immensely during the genocide losing friends and family, and surviving an airstrike nearby that left her in shock for hours. She joins us from Gaza to talk about the ceasefire and what people around her think about it. She discusses conversations

Creativity comes from Misery – Roaa’s Story Oct 10, 2025 38:46 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roaa Aladdin Missmeh is a Palestinian from Gaza who loves reading books and finds solace in them. Having left Gaza only a few weeks ago, she is currently doing her Master's degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in Dublin. She shares with us her story of genocide, her journey out of Gaza and her need to tell the story of her people. Tune in for mo

‘When Words Are All That Remain’ Oct 3, 2025 34:16 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ruba Khalid Al-Faleet is a Palestinian writer, artist, and poet based in Gaza. Her work explores the intersection of identity, resistance, and the poetics of survival under siege. As an active member of the Gaza Poets Society and a contributor to the Resilient Voices digital storytelling project by the British Council, Ruba uses her voice to document liv

Drone Strikes on the Flotilla as Gaza City is Destroyed Sep 26, 2025 28:04 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Chris Andrews is a Sinn Féin Senator and he's taking part in his fifth Gaza Flotilla. His ship was struck four times last night by Israeli drones. Despite this he and his fellow Sumud Flotilla shipmates, including over 20 Irish people, remain undeterred and committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He joins us from his ship to talk all about it.

Chasing My Dream in a Genocide Sep 17, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmad Abushawish is a 19-year-old writer and activist from Gaza. He has successfully conveyed his voice and the stories of his people through several prestigious platforms, including Al Jazeera, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Electronic Intifada, Prism Reports, and We Are Not Numbers. He is also an alumnus of the Access 16 program. Ahmad aspir

Journalism Is Not A Crime – Al Jazeera Correspondent, Hani Mahmoud Sep 12, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We Tell Our Stories Hani Mahmoud decided 23 months ago to shift from academia and to stand in front of the camera in order to tell the story of Gaza and its people. He works as the Aljazeera English correspondent in Gaza, becoming one of the most important journalists alive, sharing with the world a story that would otherwise go untold or manipulated. Tu

Gaza City under siege – Nour’s Story Sep 11, 2025 28:13 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nour Abo Aisha is a writer, journalist, and translator from Gaza. She writes about living under the siege, memory, displacement, and survival; from her own life and the lives of those around her in Gaza. For Nour, writing is a form of resistance against erasure and a voice that breaks through imposed silence. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Prism

The Global Sumud Flotilla Sep 5, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Lynn Boylan is an Irish MEP for Dublin, who serves as the Chair for the EU's Relationship with Palestine Committee, and she is one of many (alongside international law experts, human rights lawyers and academics) people who are joining a Legal Monitoring ship that is shortly setting sail from Italy to accompany the Global Sumud Flotilla, that is attempti

My Unseen Memories Sep 3, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast we are joined by Imad Qudaih, who is a 22 year old visually impaired student at the Islamic University of Gaza, majoring in English translation. Another accidental genocide correspondent, he’s been working as a freelance journalist with BBC News since June 2024. He joins us from Al-Mawasi to speak of displacement and his cat, who was kill

The Final Evacuation Aug 28, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sara Awad is an English literature student, writer, and storyteller based in Gaza. Passionate about capturing human experiences and social issues, Sara uses her words to shed light on stories often unheard. Her work explores themes of resilience, identity, and hope amid war circumstances. I contributed to The Intercept, Truthout, PRISM, The Electronic In

Gaza, When The War Ends Aug 21, 2025 31:59 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nadera Mushtaha is a poet and writer from Gaza and a former student of Dr Refaat Alareer. She talks of losing her family home in Shujayia, her friend Malak Arafat, whose murder she discovered 7 months later because of the rolling internet blackouts in Gaza. In the background, we hear Israeli drones and tank shells as Israel continues to attack the Zaytou

Gaza, On Grief and Going On Aug 14, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be joined by Shahd Alnaami, who is a 21-year-old writer, poet, and translator from Gaza, Palestine. In this PalCast episode, she speaks of losing her sister Rahaf, 13, and her friend Eman 19. She tells us how two houses belonging to her family were also destroyed and how her family was displaced multiple times. She speaks of th

Writing our Stories – Taqwa Al-Wawi Aug 7, 2025 36:52 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Taqwa Al-Wawi is a 19-year English literature student at the Islamic University of Gaza. She is also writer out of Gaza, who has published dozens of articles across the globe in the span of 6 months. She speaks of the importance of telling the story of the ongoing genocide, the empowerment of writing, the famine fatigue and how many people are barely sur

Gaza and Loss on Every Level Jul 31, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dima Al-Madhoun is a translator in Gaza and joins us from her displacement tent in Al-Mawasi. She speaks of losing her home, moving from place to place, the heartbreaking loss of some members of her family and how she is greatly concerned that the current generation of children have now lost two years of their education. The occupation is all about bruta

They Are Deliberately Starving Us Jul 23, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmed Al-Najjar is a Palestinian journalist and academic based in Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip. He is reporting on the ongoing Israeli genocide and rapidly growing famine. He joins us on the PalCast to discuss the latest developments on the ground, his own heartbreaking personal loss and why those “who slaughtered with their weapons, and those who sl

Gaza and a Smile of Hope Jul 19, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Huda Skaik is a writer from Gaza, who was displaced 12 times during the ongoing genocide. After being under siege in Gaza City for 9 unrelenting days, the Israeli Military forced her and her family to move to the south. She started writing in a tent and returned to her home a year later to find it in rubble. Despite these conditions, Huda remains hopeful

69. Israel Killed my Mother Twice Jul 13, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Journalist Ahmed Aldremly joined us from Gaza to discuss the latest massacres at the so-called Humanitarian Zones, Israel’s latest concentration camp plan, the daily search for food and to talk about his own experiences of the last 20+ months. The Prof Richard Murphy podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-133571593 Donate

68. My Guitar vs Genocide – Gaza’s Birdsong Jul 4, 2025 38:20 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined from Gaza by musician, teacher and father, Ahmed Abu Amsha, to discuss his experience of the ongoing genocide and how he and some of his musician friends are using song as therapy for those carrying far too much trauma. A wonderful man who will light up your day. Thank you, Ahmed. His own fundraising details ar

67. Gaza and the People vs Politics Jun 18, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef talks to Tony about the latest news and events in Gaza, the cost of famine, Israel funding a proxy militia and the hope that comes from even the seemingly failed people-led initiatives like the Freedom Flotilla and the Global March to Gaza. Liam Cunningham on Displaced in Gaza is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclus

66. PalCast in Belfast Jun 11, 2025 24:08 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast, Yousef Aljamal, as part of his book tour is joined for the first time in-person ever by PalCast producer Tony Groves. They discuss the latest news from Gaza, the horrendously militaristic "humanitarian aid" program and the need for more action from civil society. The March to Gaza podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon

65. Israel’s Deadly Humanitarian Aid Plan Jun 3, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast hosts Yousef and Helena are joined by producer Tony to talk about the cruel and disastrous "aid plan", the ongoing genocide, the change in rhetoric from some western leaders and why even in a week of unbearably devastating news there are some reasons to feel hope. Music at the end is a new song by recent Sparks Will Fly guest Tadgh Conroy

64. ‘I Saved Him Only For My Taxes To Pay For The Bomb That Then Killed Him’ May 28, 2025 46:53 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack US-based Dr. Feroze Sidhwa has travelled to Gaza over the course of the ongoing Genoide to heal the wounds of many, many Palestinians. As a trauma surgeon, he has witnessed many multi-fatality events, including the bombing of the surgery department of the Nasser Hospital and an airstrike that killed a patient, a young boy, whom he saved only a few days e

63. Banyas the Storyteller. May 20, 2025 35:55 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this podcast we are joined from Gaza by teacher, storyteller and mother, Banyas Abu Harab, who focuses on educating, comforting and inspiring young learners in Gaza, even as the bomb blasts are audible above her voice. This is a very different insight into the reality of the ongoing Genocide in Gaza. Thank you, Banyas Donate to Dignity for Palestine:h

62. I’m Not a Beast with a Horn, But a Freedom Fighter with a Stone May 14, 2025 Dr. Akram Habeeb is a professor of English at the Islamic University of Gaza. He taught and inspired many academics including Dr. Refaat Alareer. He left Gaza after 45 days of displacement in Rafah, where he did his best to care for his family. In this episode, he talks about his special relationship with Refaat Alareer, education and his own experience of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. He also sha

61. Goodbye from Genocide May 8, 2025 46:50 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Shrouq Alaila is a journalist from Gaza. She won the Freedom of Press Award in 2024 for her journalism work in Gaza. She speaks to us from Gaza on the challenges of reporting, securing food and caring for a baby whose father, also a journalist, killed by Israel as he shielded them from Israeli bombing. Tune in for this powerful episode. Editors Note: I’v

60. My Smile is Resistance May 1, 2025 37:32 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Soliman Hijjy is an award winning visual journalist from Gaza. He’s also the fella in the group who keeps everyone smiling, even in the most difficult moments. He joins us from Khan Yunis only 7 minutes after another deadly Israeli attack. We talk about his work, the role of journalism beyond telling stories and how making jokes in moments of danger is a

59. One Day in Gaza Apr 24, 2025 40:56 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ruwaida Amer is an award winning film-maker and producer from Gaza, yet she trained as a teacher. War has a way of turning everything upside down. She now dedicates her time to telling the stories of people in Gaza and the children who she cares deeply for. She joins us to speak about how the destruction of her family home as a child by Israel made her t

58. My Students Kept Me Going Apr 12, 2025 53:08 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast we are joined by Abeer Barakat, who is a lecturer in the University of Applied Sciences, Gaza and a PhD candidate of English at the University Putra Malaysia. She joins us from Gaza to talk about displacement, the difficult decision to send two of her children outside Gaza to continue their education and the day to day diffic

57. We Are Not Doing Enough! Apr 4, 2025 29:53 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony discuss the latest news out of Gaza, the rapidly spreading famine and the way in which the international community has largely disgraced itself in standing by as the genocide restarted. We also talk the Garda treatment of the Mothers Against Genoicide activists, the new Irish governments burying of the Occupied Territorie

56. When my Aunt died I stopped living – Maram’s Story Mar 30, 2025 33:45 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Content Warning: This podcast contains topics that some people may find upsetting. Maram Mohammed Hammo is a 4th year medical student in Gaza. In high school, she was one of the top students nationally, with a GPA of 99.6%. Her aunt, who was her biggest supporter, was killed along with 17 members of her family and her medical studies were understandably

55. Gaza – Some Light in a Dark Week Mar 24, 2025 39:44 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr Hashil Al-Saadi is a language lecturer, researcher and research trainer at Centre for Preparatory Studies at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) who is currently teaching students online in Gaza. He joins us to explain the process, the bravery and dedication of his students and his hope that this work helps Gazans to maintain some sense of control of their

54. The Three Times I Should Have Died Mar 14, 2025 48:03 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Editors Note: Samah went to great lengths to record this PalCast and as a result the audio is variable, but it is a must listen Samah Zaqout is a Palestinian graduate of English Literature, who’s studying was ended by the brutal Israeli military ‘campaign’ in Gaza. She endured displacement, starvation and loss for 15 months. She lost her grandfather, wh

53. Interrogated, Tortured and Still Determined – Dr Khaled Alser Mar 8, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Content Warning: This podcast contains subjects that some listeners may find disturbing. In this PalCast host Yousef Aljamal and producer Tony Groves talk with Dr Khaled Alser- who is a surgeon in Nasser Hospital, Gaza and who had been abducted by Israeli soldiers in March, 2024 and was finally released from his unlawful detainment on Sept 30, 2024. He

52. Gaza – ‘We Stayed Knowing That We’d Either Live Together Or Die Together’ Feb 27, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack.com In this PalCast - One World, One Struggle, Yousef and producer Tony are joined from Gaza City by lecturer, researcher and educator, Dr Ahmed Junina. Ahmed talks about his and his family’s decision not to join the displaced during the Israeli brutal campaign on Gaza. He describes the challenges they faced and talks passionately about ‘home’, education

51. Rebuilding More than Buildings Feb 21, 2025 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this very special PalCast - One World, One Struggle episode, Yousef and Tony are joined by educator, academic (from a longline of Palestinian educators and academics) , Dr Ahmed Nehad, who has a PhD in Sustainable Development. Ahmed, who is working with others in planning the reconstruction of the Gazan education system, was a friend and colleague of

50. Support Gazan Doctors Feb 13, 2025 32:44 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Rajeh Al-Kahloot is a Gazan medical student who is currently in Istanbul. His medical studies were disturbed by the genocide when his parents lost their home and businesses. Now, so close to completion, he is forced to look for support himself to survive. Rajeh will return back to Gaza to contribute to his community when he is qualified, and he highlight

49. This is Gaza – Trump’s Clownish Ethnic Cleansing Plan Feb 5, 2025 37:18 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast episode BAFTA and Emmy award winning filmmaker, Yousef Hammash joins us to discuss his work during the genocide in Gaza, the role of storytelling in informing the world and how, on the day that Dr Refaat Alareer's body was given a proper burial, the Palestinian people will persevere despite the absolute madness coming out of Donald Trump.

48. Gaza – The Returning Jan 31, 2025 42:04 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, Yousef and Tony are joined by special guest, Gazan Political Analyst and Advocate, Muhammad Shehada. They discuss the return of over a million people to their destroyed homes in the north of Gaza, Trumps plan for ethnic cleansing, the arrest of Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah and yes, even the ridiculous “condoms for Gaza” story. As a

47. Will the Ceasefire Hold? Jan 23, 2025 45:13 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast, host Helena Cobban and producer Tony Groves turn the tables on new father (congratulations) and PalCast’s resident expert, Yousef Aljamal by asking him to explain what is happening since the ceasefire was agreed, what it means on the ground and what Gaza needs now from the international community. We also talk about the media coverage of

46. #GazaCeasefire – A First Step Jan 16, 2025 47:28 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack As reports of a ceasefire deal are emerging, we are joined on the PalCast by a very special guest, Dr Ayesha Khan, who is an Emergency Medicine physician. Dr Khan has recently returned from Gaza, where she worked in trying to hold together the crumbling medical facilities. This is a first-person account of the reality on the ground by a remarkable woman

45. Gaza and the Heroism of Those Who Don’t Want to be Heroes Jan 2, 2025 44:26 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Nour Nafez Hammad is a Palestinian educator and scholar who is engaged in the fields of literature and education. In this episode of PalCast, she speaks of personal loss, the role of storytelling and literature in creating a Palestine away from the control of Israeli narrative. She explains how the use of literature, videos and social media posts are

44. Gaza – A Child’s Christmas Wish for Peace Dec 26, 2024 33:07 Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Banias is a wonderful a 8-year old child living in Gaza, now displaced in Al-Zawayda. She joins us to speak of the dreams that she still carries and the life that she left behind in her home, now destroyed, in Gaza city, Banias shares her hopes for the new year, talks about rebuilding Gaza, wanting to visit New York, her favourite Christmas film, Home Al

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