Afleveringen
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In this episode of Israel & Palestine Unpacked, host Pádraig speaks with Shachar Erez, an Israeli Marriage and Family Therapist who also trains therapists and leads workshops on love, communication, and conflict. Shachar explores the intersection between personal healing and societal polarization, drawing on his experiences during a year and a half of war and trauma in Israel. He discusses the mental health challenges faced by individuals and communities, how he stays grounded amid collective grief, and the importance of fostering resilience, nuance, and quiet hope even in the midst of ongoing conflict.Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
Email: [email protected]
Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Pádraig
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On today’s episode of Israel & Palestine Unpacked, we speak with Dr. Eleni Fotou, a forensic psychologist, about radicalisation and de-radicalisation.
Dr. Eleni Fotou received her BSc in Psychology from the University of Utah in 2002 and has spent the past ten years studying the criminal profiles of domestic homicide offenders in Greece. She has lived, worked, and studied in the US, the UK, and Greece, developing a research background that specialises in radicalisation, extremism, and terrorism studies.
In addition to this, she co-founded Bia-Stop in 2008, a programme based in Kavála, Greece, that focuses on the prevention and treatment of domestic violence. She works closely with the police and the prosecuting authorities on cases involving children who are victims of sexual assault and manages the penal mediation programme in Kavála for domestic violence offenders. Currently, she is creating the Hellenic Risk Assessment Tool under contract from the Ministry of Social Welfare. This tool is now being used by every national agency that handles domestic violence cases. She has presented her work on the management of perpetrators at the international level, including at the UN in New York (2019) and the European Committee of Experts on the Horizon 2020 programme in Brussels (2020), among other professional endeavours.
Today, we are speaking to her about understanding the processes of radicalisation and de-radicalisation. We’ll explore radicalisation within the Israeli-Palestinian context before concluding with a discussion on preventative measures and future outlooks.
Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
Email: [email protected]
Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Pádraig
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is a podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Coming Up Today
On today’s episode of Israel & Palestine Unpacked, we speak with Professor Mohammed S. Dajani Daoudi, a Jerusalemite scholar and peace activist whose work has challenged entrenched narratives on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide. He holds doctorates from the University of South Carolina (1981) and the University of Texas at Austin (1984) and is a prolific author, having written numerous books and academic articles.
At a time when Islam is often misrepresented as being synonymous with extremism, Professor Dajani advocates for an interpretation of Islam that remains true to its Quranic foundations—one that champions freedom of religion, tolerance, reconciliation, coexistence, cooperation, compassion, empathy, and interfaith dialogue.
We hope this episode is both informative and deeply moving. If you enjoy conversations like this, subscribe to stay updated as we continue exploring personal narratives within this complex and deeply human conflict.
About Our Guest
Beyond his academic work, Professor Dajani has been a vocal advocate for Holocaust education in Palestinian society. In 2007, he founded the Wasatia Moderate Islamic Movement and the Wasatia Academic Institute. In 2012, he co-authored Holocaust: Human Agony to help educate Palestinians about the Holocaust.
His advocacy has not come without cost. In March 2014, he was forced to resign from his positions as Rector of Libraries and founding director of the American Studies Institute at Al-Quds University (2002–2014) after leading Palestinian students on an educational visit to Auschwitz. The trip, aimed at fostering empathy, compassion, and tolerance, provoked backlash—including death threats and the torching of his car.
Despite these challenges, Prof. Dajani's commitment to peace and dialogue has been widely recognized. In 2014, Tufts University honoured him with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award for his efforts to combat extremism. From 2015 to 2017, he served as a Weston Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. More recently, in March 2023, the Austrian Parliament awarded him the Simon Wiesenthal Prize for his work against antisemitism. Later that year, in September, he received the Excellence in Leadership Award from Queens College, City University of New York.
What to Expect in This Episode
In this interview, we discuss his visit to Auschwitz with Palestinian students, the challenges of dialogue within Palestinian society, the role of political Islam in shaping Palestinian identity today, and the founding of Al-Wasatia as an advocate for education as a tool for peace.
Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
Email: [email protected]
Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is a podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Coming up in today’s episode we meet Jonny Clark. Jonny is the Programme Manager for Public Theology within the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace centre.
Corrymeela was founded in 1965 by Ray Davey and a group of university students. Based in a town called Ballycastle on the North Coast of Northern Ireland it is a place that provides for dialogue, healing and community building, particularly in the context of sectarian divisions.
Today, Corrymeela continues its work, addressing Contemporary issues such as migration, trauma and identity, striving to create a more peaceful and inclusive society.
I would like to extend special thanks to Connaire McCullough for taking the time and effort to edit these interviews during this particularly busy period in my life.
Jonny has worked in peacebuilding and reconciliation for 25 years, both in Belfast and in post-conflict contexts around the world. His work has focused on fostering dialogue, understanding, and healing in divided communities.
In 2018, he produced a documentary titled Guardians of the Flame, along with an accompanying podcast of the same name. The film explores the experiences of three individuals who were directly impacted by Northern Ireland’s conflict,highlighting their personal journeys, struggles, and hopes for peace. Through this project, Jonny aimed to shed light on the power of reconciliation and the resilience of those affected by violence.
In this interview, we speak with Jonny about his involvement in Corrymeela. We explore the role of faith as a tool for conflict resolution and how it can serve as a positive social force to improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians while fostering inclusive societies.
Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
Email: [email protected]
Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Hani Description
In our first interview, we have the pleasure of speaking with Hani, a fascinating individual who describes himself as half Palestinian and half European. With a love for languages, Hani is something of a polyglot, fluent in English, Arabic, Turkish, Hungarian, Romanian, German, and Italian. His linguistic abilities reflect his diverse background and enable him to connect with people from a wide range of cultures.
Hani views himself as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures, believing that his unique heritage and language skills allow him to foster understanding and dialogue between different worlds. However, he expresses a sense ofdisappointment that, despite their curiosity, many people are hesitant to cross cultural bridges and engage with unfamiliar perspectives. More troubling to him is the observation that some are determined to demolish these bridges altogether, rejecting opportunities for meaningful connection and mutual respect.
Paula Description
Paula was born in South Africa and moved to Israel at the age of 12. She spent 18 years there, living on a kibbutz in the centre of the country. Since leaving Israel, she has resided in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she lives with her partnerand daughter.
She holds a degree in community theatre from Tel Aviv University and a Level 3 Certificate in Peace and Reconciliation. Passionate about progressive Judaism, she isworking towards a lay reader's certificate, which trains her to lead Jewish prayers through Liberal Judaism UK.
In our interview, we discuss how her experience of living in conflict zones has shaped her understanding of conflict, what she means by being a "critical friend to Israel," and what she would say to Israelis and Palestinians in light of her personal experience with Northern Ireland’s imperfect peace.
Twitter/X: @IAPUnpacked
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
Email: [email protected]
Additionally, if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Daliah Description
In our first interview, we speak to Daliah, a 41-year-old mother from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. She describes herself as having "two wonderful sons who are" her ‘’greatest joy’’. After enduring four harrowing months of violence, killing, and starvation in the Gaza Strip, she managed to leave her homeland.
At present, she is residing in Cairo, seeking safety and stability for her family. Her journey has been filled with immense challenges, yet she remains a proud Gazandetermined to build a brighter future for her children.
Kemi Description
In our second interview, we sit down with Kemi, born in London to Israeli and South African parents, who grew up in a secular household. Her upbringing, rooted in a multicultural background, nurtured a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and traditions. In 2010, after completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Kemi made the pivotal decision to move to Israel, driven by a desire to reconnect with her roots and start a new chapter in her life.
She spent five years serving in the IDF, an experience that deepened her understanding of Israeli culture while exposing her to the complexities and challenges of Israeli society. Early in her journey, Kemi met her husband, and today they raise two children in central Israel.
The balancing act of motherhood amidst ongoing conflicts has significantly shaped her perspectives on society and politics, offering a unique lens on resilience and identity in Israel.
Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Galit Interview DetailsIn our first interview, we speak with Galit, an Israeli-American with dual citizenship. She was born to a mother who was a Holocaust refugee and a father, a native Israeli, born during the later years of the British Mandate for Palestine.
Galit has lived in both Israel and the U.S. and holds degrees from Columbia and Harvard Universities, where she studied Computer Science and Math Education, respectively. She is married and has six children, ranging in age from 14 to31.Seema Interview DetailsIn our second interview, we speak with Seema, a Palestinian-American born in Amman, Jordan, and a descendant of the Dajani family, a prominent Jerusalemite lineage with over five centuries of history in the land.
Political unrest in Mandate Palestine forced her family to resettle in Amman, where she was born. After the Six-Day War in 1967, they emigrated to the United States in search of new opportunities.
In the U.S., Seema embraced her Middle Eastern heritage and underwent a faith conversion to Christianity, deepening her understanding of the Holy Land and its people. She is now the co-founder of a German-Palestinian-Jewish dialogue group dedicated to fostering reconciliation through faith.
In this interview, we explore how Seema remains connected to her Palestinian roots, navigates her Arab-American identity, and approaches the complexities of Israel and Palestine. -
‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Daniel Interview Details
In our first interview we are speaking to Daniel, who was born in Israel in 1981, to parents who were founders in the Messianic movement and who currently serves as the Office Manager at Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry. After completing his military service with the Israel Police, he pursued studies in political science and sociology at the Hebrew University. Daniel is a dedicated father of four and plays a pivotal role in Netivyah's mission to teach God's Word and assist those in need.
In this interview Daniel begins by talking about his family background, why they choose to live in Israel as well as the changes that have occurred across JerusalemMusa Interview DetailsIn our 2nd Interview today, we are speaking to Musa, a dedicated teacher within the Palestinian education system, who is based in the city of Ramallah. Passionate about nurturing young minds, he finds joy in sharing knowledge and fostering curiosity among his students. Beyond, the classroom he is an avid traveller, who enjoys exploring diverse cultures, gaining inspiration from the worldaround him as well as being a lifelong student of English.
The conversation starts with us both speaking about life in Ramallah for him and for Palestinians in general……
If you are interested, feel free to connect with me on one or all of the following Social Media platforms, where I will provide up to date information:Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.Pádraig
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In today’s episode we are speaking with with Dr Uri Rosenberg who is currently working in academia. He's a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and lecturer at Heidelberg University, with a PhD in Middle East History from Tel Aviv University. His academic research spans the modern Turkic world, focusing on topics such as Turkish political Islam, nation-building in post-Soviet Azerbaijan, and Jewish-Muslim relations in Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Israel.
But in this episode, I am more interested in Uri's activism and hands-on experience in Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. Uri is the co-founder and the former co-CEO of Tech2Peace, an NGO that fosters Israeli-Palestinian dialogue through intensive technological and entrepreneurship seminars.
When managing Tech2Peace, he was mainly focused on the content, such as the design of the workshops and the creation of the alumni community. Currently, Tech2Peace has approximately 700 Israelis and Palestinians, which has helped to create a vibrant and active alumni community, even in these difficult times of war.
If you would like to learn more about Dr Uri Rosenberg and Tech2Peace, please look below at the following links:
https://www.hfjs.eu/en/chairs/ben-gurion-chair-for-israel-and-middle-east-studies/team/scientific-assistants/dr-uri-rosenberg.html
https://www.tech2peace.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48053200?fbclid=IwAR0YuC79KuwPZinmawSjb7LTbtqw-yA2NASRiBC2AkZspAi-ryxpuFnqXIc
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In today’s episode we are speaking with Dr Erika Jiménez, a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the School of Law and a Mitchell Institute Fellow, Queen’s University Belfast.
Dr Jiménez has just published a book called Rethinking human rights: critical insights from Palestinian youth, which looks at how Palestinian teenagers from the West Bank make sense of human rights when their lived experiences outside of the school environment contrastwith what they learn about human rights within the school setting.
Erika is currently leading a research project entitled: Golani youth, Human Rights and the Forgotten Occupation, which explores how the occupation impacts the lives of youth from the remaining Druze communities in the Golan Heights and their views on the usefulness of human rights. It compares their perspectives with older generations and those of their Palestinian peers in the West Bank, drawing on her previous research but alsonew insights from the refugee community.
This project is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and is being done alongside Golani and Palestinian youth advisory groups and researchers and with support from local NGOs.
If you would like to learn more about Dr Jiménez’s academic work, please look in the description below for more details:
X: @ErikaFJimenez Profile: https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/erika-jimenezRethinking human rights: critical insights from Palestinian youth: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/author/erika-jim%C3%A9nez/
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.Ya'el Interview DetailsIn our first interview, we speak with Ya’el, who comes from a village near Haifa, a bustling port city in the Galilee region of Israel, located approximately 45 minutes from the Lebanese border.
Her village is known for its strong farming traditions, where generations of families have cultivated the land, fostering a deep connection to agriculture. Life in this close-knit community revolves around shared values, with a strong emphasis on family, cooperation, and tradition.
Growing up in such an environment, Ya’el experienced the unique blend of rural life, set against the backdrop of both the natural beauty and the political realities of the region.
Mohammed Interview Details
In our second interview today, we are speaking with Mohammed who hails from a small rural agricultural village, which produces olives, fruits and vegetables that contribute to the local economy. The village is close to the Palestinian city of Nablus, which is nestled between Mounts Gerizim to the south and Ebal to the north.
The city, itself, has been known for its famous soap production as well as its regionally famous sweet dessert, Knafeh, a dish made from pastry, cheese and syrup which can be garnished with crushed pistachios and cinnamon.
He begins his interview by speaking about his childhood, the impact that Israeli settlers had on the local community as well as the effect of the 1st Palestinian Intifada, which erupted in 1987…..
If you are interested, feel free to connect with me on one or all of the following Social Media platforms, where I will provide up to date information:Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting new podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Our interview today is with Nicole, who lives in Jerusalem where she is reporting on the complicated yet beautiful aspects of this city as well as the challenges facing the people of the Holy Land. She and her husband Tony are raising three children in a crossroads of languages, cultures and religions.
If you’d like to dive deeper into Nicole’s journalistic work, be sure to check out the links to her YouTube channel and website.
There, you’ll find more of her insights and reflections on life in Jerusalem, as well as her ongoing projects. Whether you’re interested in daily goings on, her in-depth analyses, or simply want to follow her latest updates, her platforms offer a wealth of valuable content:
Website: https://nicjan.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicoolness
In this episode we speak about how the city has evolved over the years, from shifts in its physical landscape to changes in its political and social fabric. She also delves into the day-to-day realities of living in a city that remains at the heart of complex geopolitical tensions. Through her experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of how Jerusalem’s contested nature affects the lives of its residents and the way history, religion, and politics intersect in this deeply significant city.
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting new podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Musa Interview Details
Our first interview is with Musa, who was born to Palestinian parents in Saudi Arabia, and who came to live in Nablus in the West Bank as a young child. He is marriedwith 3 children and works as a finance professional and writer of short stories.
*Before we move on, it’s important at this point to say that this interview contains themes related to war. Thesetopics may be distressing to some listeners. If this is something that could possibly trigger you, please feel free to skip the interview in part or in its entirety.
Please proceed with caution and take care of your mental health. If you or anyone you know has been affected by this, please find the following links below for further guidance and support.*
Corey Interview Details
In our second interview we are speaking with Corey, a Canadian-Israeli, who is the Director of the International MA Program in Conflict Resolution and Mediation at TelAviv University and founder of The Ask Project.
The Ask Project
https://www.youtube.com/@CoreyGilShusterAskProjectIf you are interested, feel free to connect with me on one or all of the following Social Media platforms, where I will provide up to date information:Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.Pádraig
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting new podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Our first interview is with Ansam, who comes from asmall Palestinian town called Beit Lahia in Northern Gaza. She is an English student who loves photography and before the war worked as a swimming instructor. As a consequence of the fighting she is currently residing with her family in Khan Younis as an internally displaced refugee. Our second interview is with Isac, an Israeli, whospeaks Arabic and who has taken part in a number of Israeli-Palestinian dialogue initiatives. One such example is Tech2Peace, which aims to create opportunities for young people, both Palestinians and Israelis, in tech andentrepreneurship with the aim of creating a shared community.
If you are interested, feel free to connect with me on one or all of the following Social Media platforms, where I will provide up to date information:Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
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‘Israel & Palestine Unpacked’ is an exciting new podcast that is dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.In our first interview we are speaking to Saleem (Palestinian), founder of, and tour guide with, The Virtual Pilgrim, who lives in Beit Sahour, a Christian village within the Bethlehem Municipal area. In our second interview we hear from Ori (Israeli), a father of 3 living in Jerusalem, who is a writer, editor, translator and who holds a Ph.D. in Renaissance English Literature from the University of Michigan. Ori works at a civil rights NGO.If you are interested, feel free to connect with me on one or all of the following Social Media platforms, where I will provide up to date information:Twitter/X: @IAPUnpackedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898 Email: [email protected], if you know anyone who you feel would like to be interviewed or possibly fits the description, please do not hesitate to get in contact.
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In this introductory episode I wanted to explain my aims and motivations for beginning this podcast project. If you happen to stumble across my podcast at a later date, please take 4 minutes out of your life and listen to this introduction.
If you would like to know more about the podcast, or would like to be interviewed, please feel free to contact me through the following:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558747507898
X/Twitter: @IAPUnpacked
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMZ-67fnCTvK3q50KR1fmA
