Save the Olive Tree

What role has mainstream media played in enabling the genocide in Gaza?Ahlam Harvey, an emergency room RN and Palestinian human rights activist, joins us for a necessary and unflinching conversation about how major Western media outlets—particularly institutions like The New York Times—shape public perception, sanitize violence, and obscure reality through language, framing, and selective outrage.Drawing from Ahlam’s frontline experience as an ER nurse and her work advocating for Palestinian lives, we examine how narratives such as “self-defense,” passive voice reporting, and the erasure of historical context function to normalize mass civilian suffering. This is not a discussion about politics—it is about ethics, journalism, and whose lives are deemed worthy of grief.We unpack:1. A bit about Ahlam's background as a Palestinian.2. Discussing where we are with the current 'ceasefire' and conditions in Gaza.3. Discussing the NYT and other mainstream news outlets and how they enabled the genocide to carry on.4. Diving deeper into themes of settler colonialism with definitions and conceptual understanding.5. Discussing how state sanctioned violence by the IDF is transferred here to state sanctioned violence by ICE as we are witnessing.Chapters:0:00 - Introduction02:07 - Ahlam's Palestinian background06:02 - The current supposed Ceasefire in Gaza14:45 - Mainstream media complicity in Genocide24:55 - Passive Zionism27:40 - The Narrative33:00 - Settler Colonialism42:37 - Miko Peled's example of brainwashing45:25 - Actions of ICE killing Alex Pretti53:15 - ConclusionThis episode challenges listeners to move beyond headlines and ask harder questions about power, propaganda, and complicity.Truth matters. Language matters. And silence has consequences.Guest Intro:Ahlam Harvey is a Palestinian American Emergency Room Nurse. She has a Masters in International Relations and is an activist in the Boston Area. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Dr. Omar Akhter shares his firsthand experience from a recent humanitarian trip to Cairo, Egypt, where he met with Palestinian families from Gaza who were forced to evacuate after the genocide began.During this trip he:Met with displaced Gazans living in CairoProvided direct financial assistance to families in needHeld a medical clinic for evacuated PalestiniansVisited a Gazan orphanage and schoolListened to powerful, firsthand testimonies of survival, loss, and resilienceThese are the stories rarely shown in Western media—voices of Palestinians who escaped Gaza but continue to live with the trauma of war, displacement, and injustice.This episode is not about politics—it is about human lives, medical ethics, and bearing witness. As a physician and humanitarian, he reflects on what he saw, the moral responsibility of the global community, and why telling these stories matters.🎙️ Save the Olive Tree is a podcast dedicated to amplifying Palestinian voices, challenging misinformation, and documenting the lived reality of occupation, displacement, and genocide.📌 Topics covered:Gaza genocide and forced displacementPalestinian refugees in EgyptHumanitarian aid in CairoMedical missions for PalestiniansOrphans and displaced children from GazaBearing witness as a physicianLife after evacuation from GazaChapters:00:00 - Introduction02:30 - Details about my trip06:25 - Stories of Gazans in Cairo18:20 - The Resilience of Gazans21:40 - My message to Gazans23:58 - Gazan connection to the land29:45 - Humanizing Palestinians32:40 - Ways to support Gazans in Cairo36:46 - Amplify Palestinian stories38:00 - Conclusion of Podcast38:54 - Highlights from my tripGuest Intro:Dr. Omar Akhter is a Pakistani-American Physician and host of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast. He is a humanitarian dedicated to improving the condition of the Palestinian people by assisting them financially, medically and speaking up for their liberation.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes amplifying Palestinian voices and on-the-ground testimony.👍 Like & share to help these stories reach a wider audience.

In this Episode, we unpack what it truly means to decolonize Palestine—legally, historically, and psychologically.We explore how Zionism functions as a settler-colonial ideology, how international law has been manipulated to legitimize dispossession, and why the Palestinian struggle is fundamentally a human rights and decolonization struggle, not a religious or ethnic conflict.We discuss:– a bit about her personal background as a Palestinian.– her work as a human rights lawyer.– her work in decolonization and how we can take steps for decolonization of Palestine, both in terms of language and on the land.-- The Islamic angle of the Palestinian struggle.– Discussing the current cease-fire in Gaza and the situation that is still very very bad.– Discussing hopes for the future of Palestine and how we can try to get there collectively.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction 04:30 - Her Palestinian background11:05 - Liberation as a decolonization effort15:43 - South Africa comparison18:10 - The importance of language26:05 - The Islamic connection with Palestine28:55 - Our Moral Obligation35:33 - Practical steps to take37:50 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Tasnim Theodora Al-Rifai is a human rights lawyer with a professional focus on indigenous rights and the prevention of violence against women. Throughout her legal career she has worked at the intersection of law, power and lived reality where human rights are not theoretical but urgently contested.She's presently working on her first book, a Handbook on Debating Zionism, which aims to provide clear, principled and historically grounded tools for critical debate in an increasingly polarized public sphere. Tasnim lives with her family in Vienna Austria. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Former Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan discusses Palestinian advocacy within Pakistan and the growing global resistance to Israeli apartheid and the Gaza genocide.In this conversation, we explore:Senator Mushtaq's history of support for Palestine.How Pakistan views the Palestinian struggle.The role of Pakistani politicians and parliaments in standing up for Gaza.Why international law has failed Palestinians.The importance of Global South solidarity.How Palestine has become the moral compass of our time.Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan offers a rare and critical perspective on why Palestine is not just a regional issue, but a global human rights cause.Guest Intro:Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is a Pakistani politician and political activist. He served as a member of the Senate of Pakistan from March 2018 to March 2024. He serves as the current Patron of the Pak-Palestine Forum.He is known for his pro-Palestine protests and human rights activism within Pakistan. He participated in the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla to extend aid to Gaza as a representative of Pakistan and even spent 5 days in an Israeli prison when he was arrested by the IDF. He is an incredibly important voice for the people of Gaza from Pakistan.🔔 Subscribe to Save The Olive Tree for weekly conversations exposing injustice and amplifying Palestinian voices.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In our interconnected world, the fight for human rights is a pressing concern that transcends borders. In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, Omar Akhter speaks with Suad Abdul Aziz, a Sudanese-American human rights lawyer, who sheds light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. This discussion not only highlights the plight of Sudan but also draws parallels with the Palestinian struggle, emphasizing the need for global solidarity in the face of oppressionUnderstanding the Human Rights Landscape in Sudan: Suad Abdul Aziz begins by sharing her personal journey as a refugee from Sudan, arriving in the United States in the early 2000s. Her experiences reveal the complexities of human rights advocacy, particularly the challenges faced by communities that are often overlooked. Suad emphasizes the necessity of empowering local voices in the human rights discourse, stating, "My mission in life is to challenge the institutions that leave us out of what human rights is"Historical Context: To truly understand the current situation in Sudan, Suad provides a primer on the country’s colonial past. Sudan was the largest country in Africa until the split with South Sudan in 2011. The British colonization of Sudan, beginning in 1899, implemented a divide-and-conquer strategy that marginalized the southern regions and exacerbated ethnic tensions. This colonial legacy led to a series of military regimes that have ruled Sudan since gaining independence in 1956, often at the expense of civilian governance and human rightsCurrent Crisis: The ongoing conflict in Sudan is marked by power struggles between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As Suad explains, these military factions have deep roots in the country’s turbulent history. The protests that erupted in 2018, fueled by economic hardship and governmental corruption under Omar al-Bashir, highlight the people's yearning for democracy and justice. "We want a strong military, but that military must be a fighting force only, and it cannot be part of executive governance," Suad asserts, reflecting the widespread desire for a civilian-led governmentParallels with Palestine: Throughout the conversation, the intersection of the struggles in Sudan and Palestine becomes apparent. Suad shares her personal connection to Palestine, being married to a Palestinian, and underscores the shared experiences of oppression faced by both nations. "The very actors involved in the genocide in Palestine and Sudan are the same," she points out, urging listeners to recognize the broader implications of these conflictsConclusion: The podcast episode serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities around the world. Suad’s insights provide a valuable perspective on the urgent need for advocacy and solidarity in the fight for human rights. Key takeaways include the importance of local leadership in human rights discourse, the historical context of Sudan's challenges, and the necessity of recognizing the interconnectedness of global struggles for justice01:53 Introduction04:49 Understanding Sudan's Historical Context08:07 The Impact of Colonialism on Sudan10:57 Current Political Landscape in Sudan13:43 The Role of Military and Armed Forces16:54 The Civilian Struggle for Democracy19:53 The Role of Foreign Powers in Sudan's Crisis22:43 The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan25:41 Call to Action and Advocacy28:57 Conclusion and Future OutlookSuad Abdel Aziz is a Sudanese American human rights lawyer and founder of advocacy organization, Decolonize Sudan. At Decolonize Sudan, she documents abuses, files human rights complaints on behalf of victims, creates educational materials and leads advocacy trainings throughout the U.SSuad has worked to support human rights defenders in the global South, advising on issues surrounding free speech, mass incarceration, and corporate obligations under international human rights law

Dr. Nour Sharaf, an emergency physician from Dallas, Texas shares her experience volunteering on a medical mission to Gaza in the summer of 2025. Dr. Sharaf shares her firsthand experience of the ongoing genocide, describing the deliberate targeting of civilians and humanitarian workers at the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites. She recounts what it was like treating injured children, famine victims, and displaced families under siege — with scarce medical supplies and constant drone attacks overhead. Through her eyes, we witness the human cost of the genocide, the resilience of Palestinian doctors and nurses, and the moral urgency of bearing witness to crimes that much of the world ignores.Guest Intro: Dr. Nour Sharaf is an emergency medicine physician who attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University and residency at UT Southwestern. She currently works at White Rock Medical Center in Dallas as an ER physician and medical director. She volunteered in Gaza for a medical mission in July 2025.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Yara, known as @Tawakulsabr on Instagram shares the profound journey of returning to her grandfather’s village Hittin in Palestine, stepping into the land of her heritage and reconnecting with the stories of home. She describes visiting Al Aqsa mosque for the first time. We also explore her evolving role as a social media advocate—how she uses platforms to amplify Palestinian voices, challenge narratives, and spotlight Palestinian resilience.Yara also brings insight into the work and legacy of Anas Al-Sharif, a courageous Palestinian journalist whose frontline reporting in Gaza captured the world’s attention before he was brutally murdered by Israel and whose story continues to resonate in today’s media landscape. We unpack the intersection of personal history, digital storytelling, and activism.Key Topics Covered:The emotional return to her grandfather’s village in Palestine: family, memory & identityHow social media advocacy can shift the narrative and build community-based solidarityA tribute to Anas Al-Sharif: what his reporting meant, the challenges he faced, and why his legacy mattersHow the so-called current ‘ceasefire’ has not eased life for Palestinians. How to engage with Palestinian issues in an ethical and impactful way.Chapters:01:00 Introduction02:51 Current State of the Ceasefire and Human Rights Violations07:09 Yara's Journey to Palestine20:13 Experiencing Checkpoints and Crossing into Palestine26:41 Understanding Movement Restrictions in Palestine29:35 The Spiritual Significance of Masjid Al-Aqsa32:27 Navigating the Complexities of Visiting Occupied Territories35:03 Supporting Palestinian Businesses37:53 The Deep Connection to the Land41:57 The Role of Social Media in Advocacy46:17 Honoring Anas al-Sharif's LegacyGuest Intro: Yara is a Palestinian advocate who uses her platforms to speak out against the occupation and raise awareness about what's happening in Palestine. She focuses on challenging misinformation and uplifting Palestinian voices. Yara studied criminal justice and legal studies and is now earning her master's in cybercrime and digital investigation hoping to use those skills to fight disinformation and support justice through digital spaces. Yara welcome to the podcast, I appreciate your time today!Connect & Take Action: 📌 Follow Tawakulsabr on her social channels (IG/Twitter) to discover more of her work. 📌 Share this episode with your community—and invite discussion: how can each of us turn our personal history into meaningful advocacy?Keywords/SEO Tags: Palestine, Palestinian village, heritage travel, social media advocacy, digital activism, Anas Al-Sharif, Palestinian journalism, advocacy podcast, storytelling, Middle East, Palestinian heritage, village visit, social justice media.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

This is a 4+ hour compilation of Zachary Foster expertly discussing the history of Zionism and Palestine starting from the late 19th century all the way up to the current time. This compilation combines all 4 episodes of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast that Zach appeared on.Guest Intro:Zachary Foster is a Jewish Historian and has a PhD in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. He is a fellow at the Rutgers Study for security race and rights. He runs a digital archive called Palestine Nexus. He writes a newsletter called "Palestine in your inbox" and he teaches courses on the history of Palestine and Zionism at palestinenexus.com. His PhD was titled "The Invention of Palestine”. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Jewish historian Zachary Foster discusses the details of Gaza in the early 2000s after the second intifada when Israel withdrew its settlers and imposed a complete siege on Gaza surrounding it from land, air and sea like a closed prison where the key is thrown out. We discuss Operation Cast Lead, Operation Protective Edge, The Mavi Marmara incident, The March of Return, the War of 2021, and what happened on October 7th 2023. This is a detailed discussion with an expert on the facts on the ground in Gaza over the last two decades. Understanding this history is vital to understanding what is going on currently.Guest Intro:Zach is a Jewish Historian and has a PhD in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. He is a fellow at the Rutgers Study for security race and rights. He runs a digital archive called Palestine Nexus. He writes a newsletter called "Palestine in your inbox" and he teaches courses on the history of Palestine and Zionism at palestinenexus.com. His PhD was titled "The Invention of Palestine”. 🌿 Save The Olive Tree Podcast amplifies Palestinian voices and stories that challenge oppression and demand freedom. Subscribe to join a growing community standing with Palestine.📺 Watch, share, and help spread awareness — this is how Palestine will be free!Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree#palestine #gaza #occupation #1948 #nakba #zionism #genocide #genocideingaza #palestinianoccupation #palestinianresistance #israelpalestineconflict #ethniccleansing #operationcastled #operationprotectiveedge #mavimarmara #marchofreturn #oct7 @savetheolivetree

In this episode of Save The Olive Tree Podcast, host Omar Akhter sits down with Dr. Hatem Bazian, renowned Palestinian professor at UC Berkeley, activist, and co-founder of Zaytuna College and American Muslims for Palestine. Together, they explore the deep historical, political, and spiritual roots of the Palestinian struggle for liberation.Dr. Bazian shares his insights on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the global movement for Palestine solidarity, and how education and awareness are powerful tools in the fight against colonialism and occupation. This conversation dives into the meaning of decolonization, resistance, and the importance of preserving Palestinian identity and heritage in the face of systemic erasure.🎧 Listen if you care about:- Understanding the history of Palestine and Zionism’s colonial project.- The role of American academia and activism in the Palestinian cause.- Building global solidarity movements rooted in justice and liberation.- The power of narrative, culture, and education in resistance.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:42 - Thoughts on current ceasefire10:30 - Dr. Bazian roots in Palestine12:48 - Palestinian faith20:55 - Islamophobia and Palestinian dehumanization26:40 - Judeo-Christian myth30:55 - Decolonization36:00 - Path towards liberationGuest Intro:Hatem Bazian is a co-founder and Professor of Islamic Law and Theology at Zaytuna College, the 1st Accredited Muslim Liberal Arts College in the United States. In addition, Prof. Bazian is a lecturer in the Departments of Near Eastern and Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. In Spring 2009, Prof. Bazian founded at Berkeley the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project at the Center for Race and Gender, a research unit dedicated to the systematic study of Othering Islam and Muslims. Prof. Bazian in Spring 2012 launched the Islamophobia Studies Journal, which is published bi-annually through a collaborative effort between the Islamophobia Research and Documentation Project of the Center for Race and Gender at the University of California at Berkeley, the Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative for the School of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University; the Center for Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union, the International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding at the University of South Australia, and Zaytuna College.In addition to academic work, Dr. Bazian is founder and national Chair of American Muslims for Palestine, board member of the Islamic Scholarship Fund, Muslim Legal Fund of America, President of Dollar for Deen Charity, and Chair of Northern California Islamic Council.🌿 Save The Olive Tree Podcast amplifies Palestinian voices and stories that challenge oppression and demand freedom. Subscribe to join a growing community standing with Palestine.📺 Watch, share, and help spread awareness — because Palestine will be free.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Nida Abubaker is the daughter of Shukri Abubaker, one of the five men unjustly imprisoned in the United States as part of the Holy Land Foundation Five case. Shukri Abubaker, a Palestinian humanitarian, was sentenced to 65 years in a federal penitentiary in Beaumont, TX after leading the largest Muslim charity in the U.S., which provided aid to Palestinians and many others in need, especially children.Nida shares her father’s story, the FBI raid on her house, the devastating impact of his imprisonment on their family, and how this case set a dangerous precedent for criminalizing Palestinian activism and humanitarian work in America. We also discuss the broader implications for freedom, justice, and the ongoing Palestinian struggle.👉 Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on Palestine, justice, and resistance.Timestamps:0:00 – Introduction3:40 – Nida's family story5:50 – What was The Holy Land Foundation?12:30 – FBI Raid on Nida's house21:30 – The case and trial verdict25:25 – Shukri's status in prison right now31:30 – How Shukri keeps hope continuously38:55 -- Poetry reading43:00 -- Audience Q&AGuest Intro:Nida Abubaker is a force: an artist, poet, and fearless activist whose voice rises from the heart of struggle. Her lifelong fight for justice ignited 21 years ago, when she was just 10, after witnessing the violent raid on her home by the FBI, taking her father away. By 15, Nida was on stages across the country, exposing the criminalization of humanitarian aid and the silencing of her people both in Palestine and the diaspora. Since then, she has spoken at top universities and conferences, amplifying the voices of the incarcerated, including her father who is serving a 65 year sentence in a maximum security federal prison for his charity work.Through words and art, Nida turns personal tragedy into collective power, carrying forward a legacy of resistance. Her work embodies the struggle for liberation and the unshakable call to not only free her father, but to free them all.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Courageous Gaza journalist Nadra Tibi shares her experiences living in Gaza during a genocide and continuing to report on the truth despite significant personal risk. Many of her colleagues including Anas Al-Sharif were murdered due to their reporting on Israeli war crimes. Despite the risks, Nadra and her colleagues remain committed to sharing the truth to the world. Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:40 - Current situation in Gaza06:50 - Starvation in Gaza10:28 - Risks of Airdrops11:55 - Targeting of Journalists16:03 - Nadra hopes for the future20:13 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Nadra Tibi works as a freelance journalist and translator, fluent in both English and Arabic. She has lived her entire life in Gaza and experienced war under fire from start to finish, and continues reporting to this day. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and has completed one year of her Master’s in International Media and Communication, which she is still pursuing despite the difficult circumstances faced in Gaza.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTreePlease subscribe to the channel and share it widely to keep supporting us!

In this moving episode of Save The Olive Tree, I speak with Dr. Nacera Belala, a doctor and humanitarian who is the Medical Director of Gaza Kinder Relief, about the urgent mission to evacuate injured children from Gaza and secure lifesaving medical care for them abroad.Dr. Belala sheds light on:1. A little bit about her background.2. What is Gaza Kinder Relief and what does it aim to do.3. What are the challenges you face from beginning to end in evacuating kids from Gaza.4. What are the ongoing challenges once the kids exit Gaza5. What are the best ways people can support Gaza Kinder relief6. A brief discussion about what is happening in Gaza for the audience to remain aware.🎙️ This is an urgent call for international medical intervention, justice, and hope for the next generation of Palestinians.👉 Watch, share, and amplify the message. Every voice matters.🔗 Connect with Save The Olive TreeInstagram | TikTok | @SaveTheOliveTree🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify & Apple PodcastsGuest Intro:Dr. Nacera Belala, PhD in Sport Neuroscience, joined Kinder Relief in early 2024 and was appointed Director of Medical Missions after joining the organization. In this role, she oversees the coordination of medical operations with the ground team in Gaza, manages and supervises medical evacuations, and directs the treatment abroad program. Dr. Belala also maintains ongoing collaboration with surgeons worldwide, facilitating the review, acceptance, and treatment of children from Gaza under Kinder Relief’s care. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Nurse Lana, a courageous American nurse who volunteered on two medical missions to Palestine in Gaza, describes what she witnessed firsthand in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.Lana shares harrowing stories from inside Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals—of wounded children, amputations without anesthesia, and the resilience of a people under siege.We discuss:- The humanitarian crisis and war crimes unfolding in Gaza.- What it’s like working in hospitals bombed and besieged.- The trauma and strength of Palestinian patients and doctors.- The complicity of Western governments and media silence.- Why Palestine advocacy in the United States is more urgent than ever.Timestamp0:00 - Introduction02:50 - Why Lana Went to Gaza05:08 - Details of each mission trip10:45 - Doctors and healthcare workers abducted11:55 - Patients Nurse Lana saw18:30 - Palestine Advocacy in the US22:20 - Americans apathy to Palestine27:18 - Conclusion🎙️ Whether you’re new to the Palestinian cause or deeply involved in advocacy, this conversation is a raw and emotional eyewitness account you won’t forget.Guest Intro:In February 2024 and 2025, Nurse Lana was given the opportunity to participate in two life changing medical mission trips. Both trips were to provide critical care to those affected by the humanitarian in Gaza. With a heart forever marked by genocide, she’s turned her pain into purpose and has since become a passionate voice and vowed to fight for every life lost, every voice silenced, and every truth buried beneath the rubble.In nursing, there’s a rule: if it wasn’t documented, it wasn’t done… And because silence helps no one—and this is too important to forget, Lana documented it the only way she could—by writing it all down and releasing it in a book called Healing Under Fire. 👉 Subscribe to hear more unfiltered voices from the front lines of Palestine.🔗 Follow Save The Olive Tree for more:Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | @SaveTheOliveTree🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple PodcastsLinks:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Palestine - The Gaza Genocide, Iran's influence in the region, Western Media Complicity and how Assal Rad's fixes their headlines.In this episode of Save the Olive Tree, we sit down with renowned Middle East expert Assal Rad to explore the unfolding genocide in Gaza, the role of Iran in regional resistance, and how Western media distorts headlines to favor the Israeli narrative.🔍 From misleading terminology like “conflict” instead of occupation, to the weaponization of language that dehumanizes Palestinians, this episode takes a hard look at how news is shaped, spun, and sold — and why it matters.💣 We also unpack Iran’s political stance on Palestine, its complex relationship with the West, and why the alliances forming in the Global South are critical in challenging the status quo.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:00 - Iran's modern identity08:40 - Spectrum of political opinion in Iran14:05 - US's failed military interventions of the past24:25 - Media complicity and Headline fixing33:15 - Short/Long term thoughts on Palestine40:35 - Concluding remarks🧠 Key Quote:“Palestine is our litmus test. If we can’t name a genocide when we see one, what does that say about our global conscience?” – Assal RadGuest Intro:Assal Rad received her PhD in Middle Eastern history from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently a non-resident fellow at the Arab Center in Washington DC. She has written for Newsweek, the Independent, Foreign Policy, and more. Her book is titled The State of Resistance: Politics, Culture and Identity in Modern Iran. She has been a fierce voice in calling out western media complicity in the ongoing Gaza genocide.📢 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to amplify Palestinian voices and challenge biased narratives.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

Journalist and Author Azad Essa uncovers the hidden alliance between India and Israel—and how this partnership is shaping global politics, surveillance, and the expansion of authoritarian regimes. He discussed how Zionism and Hindutva are linked ideologically and dives deep into the occupation of Palestine and drawing eye-opening parallels with the occupation of Kashmir.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction 03:15 - The Two Partitions12:08 - History of India-Israel alliance26:01 - Hindutva and Zionism similarities32:30 - Recent events in Kashmir44:50 - Conclusion🔍 Topics We Cover:The history of the two partitions, both in India and Palestine which occurred very close together including Kashmir.The history of connection between Hindutva and Zionism ideologicallyHow Israeli tactics in Palestine are being exported to Kashmir.Discussing the current tensions that occurred between India and Pakistan and how they're linked to Israel.Media narratives and propaganda in both conflicts.The global normalization of occupation and settler colonialism.The influence of both the Indian and Israeli lobby within the US.Why solidarity across movements is more critical than ever.💥 Whether you’re a student of global politics, a human rights advocate, or someone seeking clarity beyond mainstream headlines, this episode will challenge, inform, and empower.⸻⏯️ Watch till the end for Azad Essa’s insight on how resistance movements are connecting across borders.📚 About the Guest:Azad Essa is a senior reporter for Middle East Eye based in the New York Metropolitan area. His reporting and commentary range from US foreign policy and its impact on Muslim and Arab communities, to India and Hindu nationalism. He previously worked for Al Jazeera English between 2010-2018 covering southern and central Africa for the network. He is the author of 'Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel'.⸻🗣️ Join the conversation: What are your thoughts on the India-Israel alliance and its impact on Kashmir and Palestine? Drop your comments below.👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more bold conversations that uncover the truth and connect global struggles.🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Emergency Medicine Physician Dr. Mimi Syed describes what she witnessed on her 2 trips to Gaza. She describes details of the genocide in Gaza that's been occurring over the last 20 months, the state of the hospitals in Gaza, the types of injuries she saw. She also discusses free speech implications in the United States and how we must stand up, speak up and protect our children otherwise we have failed as a human race.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:33 - What Dr. Mimi saw in Gaza06:30 - State of Gaza's Hospitals09:48 - Israel's lies14:10 - Mass starvation and the GHF16:33 - Palestinian parents 18:17 - Israeli's celebrate genocide22:05 - Freedom Flotilla and Gaza March25:30 - How to have any Mental Health?28:10 - Free Speech repercussions33:00 - Concluding remarksGuest Intro:Dr. Mimi Syed is an American board-certified emergency medicine physician. She served in Gaza from August 8 to September 5, 2024, and again from December 3 to December 31, 2024, working at both Al-Aqsa Hospital and Nasser Hospital. In addition to her frontline medical work, Dr. Syed has written numerous articles and given multiple interviews to denounce the atrocities she witnessed. Through her testimony, she has courageously exposed the crimes committed against Palestinian civilians—especially children—during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Zachary Foster discusses the history of events in Palestine starting from The First Intifada in 1987, the Oslo accords of the 90s and discussing the second Intifada in the early 2000s. Zach demonstrates his excellent scholarship discussing key issues that shaped events on the ground during this historic time and helps us understand what is happening in Palestine today.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:40 - Work-genocide balance06:33 - Laying the groundwork for First Intifada16:00 - The Oslo Process23:02 - Yasser Arafat and the PLO33:55 - Area A, B, C of the West Bank38:06 - Worldwide support for Palestinians during first Intifada47:30 - Palestinian concession in Oslo53:02 - The Second Intifada01:03:32 - Final ThoughtsGuest Intro:Zachary Foster is a Jewish Historian and has a PhD in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. He is a fellow at the Rutgers Study for security race and rights. He runs a digital archive called Palestine Nexus. He writes a newsletter called "Palestine in your inbox" and he teaches courses on the history of Palestine and Zionism at palestinenexus.com. His PhD was titled "The Invention of Palestine”.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Elijah and I have a casual conversation discussing the State of Affairs on Palestine both domestically and abroad. This builds off our initial conversation in Episode 10 which was a more detailed interview of Elijah.Chapters:00:00 - Elijah's updates02:00 - Leahy case05:15 - Discussing Mohsin Mahdawi08:08 - Gaza updates13:31 - Liberation within US political system20:00 - Current ICJ case against Israel21:02 - Pope Francis passing24:35 - Louis Theroux documentary27:30 - Elijah encountering settlers33:25 - 60 minutes executive producer resigning.36:00 - State of Hasbara38:08 - Concluding remarksGuest Intro:Elijah Kahlenberg, an undergraduate student and researcher currently studying at the University of Texas at Austin, is the President and Founder of Atidna International-the only organization operating on college campuses dedicated to bringing together Jews and Arabs in pursuit of dialogue and peace building to solidify that both peoples are one family. Elijah is also active as a leader in the Gaza anti-war/divestment protests sweeping college campuses. Elijah is likewise on the Board of Roots (Shorashim/Judur), the only organization dedicated to pursuing joint and civil initiatives in the West Bank between Jews and Arabs. He is a 2024 Truman scholar and has appeared in various media, including CNN, ABC News, Good Morning America, the Forward, Al Jazeera, NPR and others, to discuss his peace-building/dialogue initiatives and/or the protests. He has previously written opinion pieces for Newsday, Times of Israel, International Policy Digest, and other outlets. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Yara and I discuss social media advocacy for Palestine. Yara tells us about her background as a Palestinian, how she started speaking up for Palestine online and what challenges she's faced as a result. Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:55 - Yara's background04:26 - Did not start on Oct 7th05:42 - The PR battle10:05 - Short form vs. Long form content13:05 - Advice to people wanting to make a difference15:20 - Not just an Arab issue22:20 - Difficulty with social media consumption28:30 - Complete dystopia29:59 - NIH boycott of Israel35:55 - Last messages and book recommendationsGuest Intro:Yara is a Palestinian advocate who uses her platforms to speak out against the occupation and raise awareness about what's happening in Palestine. She focuses on challenging misinformation and uplifting Palestinian voices. Yara studied criminal justice and legal studies and is now earning her master's in cybercrime and digital investigation hoping to use those skills to fight disinformation and support justice through digital spaces. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Professor Zachary Foster and I discuss the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine that took place starting in 1948 and has continued till the present day. We discussed the events that led up to the creation of the state of Israel and the subsequent expulsion of nearly 800,000 Palestinians from their villages and towns in an event that became known as the Nakba (Catastrophe). Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:35 - False narratives about the 1948 war18:10 - Initial aims of the Zionist movement26:10 - Plan Dalet29:45 - Ethnic cleansing post war38:50 - 1950s in Palestine45:40 - Israel's nation state law50:40 - Preparing to occupation of West Bank51:54 - June 1967 War56:30 - Occupation after 19671:08:05 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Professor Zachary Foster is a Jewish Historian and has a PhD in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. He is a fellow at the Rutgers Study for security race and rights. He runs a digital archive called Palestine Nexus. He writes a newsletter called "Palestine in your inbox" and he teaches courses on the history of Palestine and Zionism at palestinenexus.com. His PhD was titled "The Invention of Palestine”.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram:   / savetheolivetree  TikTok:   / savetheolivetree  Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Gazan filmmaker Nour Lulu shares her experiences living in Gaza before the genocide, surviving the genocide and how she uses documentary filmmaking to share the stories of Gaza to the outside world.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:18 - Nour's background and upbringing08:22 - Life before genocide11:32 - Coping with genocide15:40 - Nour's filmmaking journey22:45 - Nour's hope for the future30:00 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Nour Lulu is a Palestinian currently living in Gaza. She is a filmmaker, specializing in documentary filmmaking and video production. She has a deep passion for storytelling through film, and has worked on various projects, including directing, editing, and videography for both local and international projects. She is a 2024 ConnectHER fellow and trained several students to make impactful documentaries. Her film ‘Read’ is nominated for an award at the annual ConnectHER festival in Austin very soon. In addition to filmmaking, she loves sports and staying active. She practiced karate and reached the blue belt level, but had to pause since the war started. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to her passions and continues exploring creative and impactful ways to tell stories through film. So Nour, welcome to the podcast and thank you for taking the time!Nour's Documentary Film: https://connectherfilmfest.org/read/Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Eman Alhaj Ali discusses her life and upbringing in Gaza, her struggles enduring this horrific genocide and how her dreams of being a storyteller were turned to ashes as a result of Israel's horrific bombing of the Gaza strip for the last 16 months. Eman's voice, like many other Gazans needs to be amplified and shared around the world until her people are fully liberated.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:45 - Eman's upbringing09:45 - Life before the genocide16:15 - Current ceasefire situation21:45 - Eman's hopes for liberation27:42 - Eman's storytelling33:24 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Eman Alhaj Ali is a Palestinian writer, translator and storyteller based in Gaza who has appeared on a number of international websites, such as the New Arab, the Electronic Intifada, Al Jazeera, the middle east eye, Mondoweiss and many others. She contributed to anthologies like “We Were Seeds” and she is a member of We Are Not Numbers, where she has published several pieces.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, I discuss the vision to liberate Palestine with Dr. Ramzy Baroud. We discuss Dr. Ramzy's Palestinian background, his vision for liberation, decolonizing our language, understanding Palestinian resistance, the role of Arab governments currently and what next steps we see after this ceasefire.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:48 - Dr. Ramzy's Palestinian background06:20 - Who will liberate Palestine?14:48 - How do we decolonize Palestine?20:46 - Palestinian resistance and the label of 'terrorism'28:30 - Dehumanizing language29:57 - Role of Arab Regimes in Palestine's liberation40:35 - Thoughts on the current ceasefire and near future48:00 - Extraordinary images48:31 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Dr. Ramzy Baroud is a US-Palestinian journalist, media consultant, an author, internationally-syndicated columnist, Editor of Palestine Chronicle (1999-present), former Managing Editor of London-based Middle East Eye, former Editor-in-Chief of The Brunei Times and former Deputy Managing Editor of Al Jazeera online.Dr. Baroud has a Ph.D. in Palestine Studies from the University of Exeter (2015). He is also the author of six books and a contributor to many others; his latest volume, co-edited with Ilan Pappe is titled “Our vision for liberation” where engaged Palestinian leaders and intellectuals share their stories.Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Hanan Sahmoud discusses her story living as a Palestinian under occupation, detailing how Israel operates in the Occupied Territories, how Palestinians travel under occupation and a detailed understanding of the Apartheid system and its illegalities under international law.We also discuss how Palestinian citizens of Israel are treated within Israeli borders, a brief discussion of the cases against Israel in international courts such as ICJ and ICC as well as the recent ceasefire and thoughts about what comes next.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:48 - Hanan's upbringing living in Palestine10:45 - How is the West Bank divided?20:32 - Brief discussion of UN partition plan.24:30 - Discussing Apartheid.31:00 - Palestinians of 194838:00 - The Right to Self Determination39:05 - Cases against Israel in the ICJ and ICC.44:50 - Current Ceasefire and Path to Liberation49:05 - ConclusionGuest Intro:Hanan is an advocate and legal researcher at the general council in Palestine. She has a Bachelors degree in law and a Masters in International Relations from Singapore. Her research primarily focuses on Palestine, Israel, and human rights. Her fervent dedication to human rights stems from firsthand experience living under military occupation in Palestine. Links:Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetreeWebsite: www.savetheolivetree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetreeSupport us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Zarefah Baroud and I discuss the realities of Zionist occupation of Palestine, the Palestinian Prisoner's situation, Palestinian resistance and resilience, Israel's targeted murders of Palestinian journalists and the US's open funding of this genocide in Gaza. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:05 - Zarefah's Palestinian roots 04:45 - Understanding the Occupation of Palestine 09:11 - Talking about the West Bank 15:00 - Palestinian 'prisoners' vs. Israeli 'hostages' terminology 31:30 - The Resilience of the Gazans 36:42 - Israel's targeting of Journalists 41:12 - Discussing Refaat's legacy 45:40 - US funding the Israeli military 50:42 - The recent victory in Gaza 55:10 - Khalida Jarrar 58:20 - Conclusion Guest Intro: Zarefah Baroud is a PhD candidate at the University of Exeter’s European Centre for Palestine Studies. She received her master’s degree in policy studies from the University of Washington, where she researched American aid programs to the Israeli military. You can find her articles in Al Jazeera, Mondoweiss, Middle East Monitor, Palestine Chronicle, and others. Links: Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetree Website: www.savetheolivetree.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savetheolivetree/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@savetheolivetree Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Maura Finkelstein and I discuss whether free speech and academic freedom truly exist on college campuses given the recent crackdown on pro Palestinian solidarity. Many college campuses are heavily funded by Zionist donors who do not want the truth about Palestine shared with the masses. Professor Maura Finkelstein is a Jewish professor who was targeted for this very thing by her institution and fired in her role as a tenured professor. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:40 - Maura's firing story 09:00 - Conflation of Zionism and Judaism 11:50 - Does Free Speech exist on college campuses? 16:32 - Scholastacide occuring in Gaza 22:15 - Safety of Students on Campus 31:30 - Younger Jewish generation moving away from Zionism? 35:13 - End of Empire Guest Intro: Professor Maura Finkelstein is a writer, ethnographer, and former associate professor of anthropology. She is the author of The Archive of Loss: Lively Ruination in Mill Land Mumbai published in 2019. Her writing has also appeared in Anthological Quarterly, City and Society, Cultural Anthropology, Anthropology Now, Mondoweiss, Al Jazeera and several other prominent journals. She has an MA in anthropology from Columbia University (2005) and a PhD in anthropology from Stanford University (2012). Despite being a tenured Professor, she was fired for her social media posts in support for Palestinian rights and against Zionism. Links: Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetree Website: www.savetheolivetree.com Instagram:   / savetheolivetree   TikTok:   / savetheolivetree   Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode, Dr. Zachary Foster discusses his PhD thesis titled "The Invention of Palestine" looking back at the history of Palestine as well as the Jewish people. We discuss who has rights to the land, whether Jewish people are indigenous to the land, the history of Zionism and how that affects the reality on the ground today. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:50 - Zach's evolution from Pro Israel to Pro Palestine 10:55 - Zach discusses his PhD dissertation 13:45 - The History of the Word 'Palestine' 20:25 - Did Hadrian vengefully change the name Judea to Philistine 27:07 - Did Ashkenazi Jews originate in Israel? 32:42 - Zionism is not the same as Judaism 41:14 - Zionism as Settler Colonialism 45:36 - Pathways for peace going forward Guest Intro: Professor Zachary Foster is a Jewish Historian and has a PhD in Near Eastern studies from Princeton University. He is a fellow at the Rutgers Study for security race and rights. He runs a digital archive called Palestine Nexus. He writes a newsletter called "Palestine in your inbox" and he teaches courses on the history of Palestine and Zionism at palestinenexus.com. His PhD was titled "The Invention of Palestine”. Links: Subscribe to the channel: @savetheolivetree Website: www.savetheolivetree.com Instagram:   / savetheolivetree   TikTok:   / savetheolivetree   Support us: patreon.com/SaveTheOliveTree

In this Episode of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast, I discuss the fall of Bashar Al Assad in Syria and the freeing of their people, the Amnesty International report on Israel committing genocide in Gaza and some final thoughts on the Podcast as this is my last episode of the year. Amnesty Full Report of Israel committing Genocide in Gaza: https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MDE1586682024ENGLISH.pdfSUBSCRIBE to the channel and stay up to date with the latest Episodes! Please continue to support the podcast, engaging with us, sharing content with your friends and family and staying tuned for future episodes.

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast, I have the honor of talking with Professor Ramsey Hanhan. Ramsey Hanhan is a Palestinian Christian who was born and raised under occupation the West Bank and speaks about his experience in his autobiographical debut “fugitive dreams”. This book outlines and chronicles his experience as a Palestinian living under occupation and what he went through on a day-to-day basis. It is a real eye-opening experience to hear firsthand what living under occupation is like. We discuss: 1. His parents who born in the 1930s in Yaffa and them going through the Nakba. 2. His early years where his mother would catch him playing pretend protests. 3. Going through JFK and on immigration forms his parents wrote Palestine, and the officer had them fill out a stateless form. 4. What is travel like in and out of the occupied territories. 5. Describing the first Intifada and what Palestinian resistance means to him. 6. Helping the listener understand what life with the settlers is like. 7. Message for Christian Zionists who support occupation. 8. What are the futue hopes he would like his daughter to see? 9. Message that Palestine is a story of occupation and tragedy but also of hope and resistance. Guest Bio: Professor Ramsey is a Palestinian American author. His autobiographical debut, Fugitive Dreams, which I have here is a personal journey through the last five decades of the Palestinian experience. His short stories and poetry have appeared in various publications. He also speaks publicly about Palestine. Professor Ramsey was formerly a physics professor noted for his computer models that describe and predict complexity in nature. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and resides near Baltimore, Maryland.

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree podcast, I talk with Dr. Mohamed Ghilan who joins me all the way from Melbourne. Dr. Ghilan is a medical doctor and a teacher of Islamic sciences. We discuss the spiritual aspects of this genocide, October 7, the Palestinian resistance, the role of the Muslims all around the world and much more. We discuss: 1. How he is trying to live a semblance of a normal life whilst witnessing a live stream genocide. 2. Why have Muslims lost that reverence for Al Aqsa as compared to the two others? 3. Does he think the nation state is the biggest disease of the Muslims currently? 4. Oct 7th is a watershed moment, viewed very different depending on the narrative. How does He see that day? 5. How do we decolonize/dezionize our minds from their world view? 6. Palestinian resistance, how it’s perceived in the West. 7. How Palestinians especially Gazans are built different 8. Spiritual takeaways from the ongoing genocide. 9. What does the future look like in a Trump administration and how do we keep a balance between despair and victory. Guest Intro: For those of you who may not know him, Dr. Mohamed Ghilan is a medical doctor, completing his medical education from the University of Queensland. Prior to that he held a Bachelor of Science with a major in microbiology and a minor in business administration, and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Victoria, BC. So he’s a double doctor! He also founded the Al-Andalus Book Club in 2017 with the aim of offering students the opportunity to study contemporary works through an Islamic lens. This initiative was expanded in 2020 with the founding of Al-Andalus Academy with the aim of facilitating access to traditional Islamic education and applying it in navigating modern issues. He also has a podcast which I’ve been listening to since 2016 so this is a really full circle moment for me. Please subscribe to the channel and shared with your friends and family, so we can continue our good work.

In this Episode of The Save The Olive Tree Podcast, I speak with Hala Rharrit about US Diplomacy amidst the genocide in Gaza. Hala resigned from the Biden Administration’s State Department after a long diplomatic career when it became clear to her that international and domestic law was blatantly being violated with regards to arms exports to Israel. We discuss: 1. Her background, why she started working for the state department and eventually resigned. 2. What laws is the US government breaking currently in regards to arms transfer and why are they continuing to do so. 3. The Biden administration's clear PR ploy to cut off arms supply to Israel if they don't improve their humanitarian situation especially in Northern Gaza. 4. Why won't the US push Israel to allow journalists into Gaza? 5. Why the US press won't admit Northern Gaza is undergoing brutal massacres and Ethnic cleansing even when Israeli press admits it. 6. The impact of social media on the current genocide and what impact it can have globally. 7. Her thoughts on the regional expansion of this war and genocide. 8. Her thoughts on the future of Palestine and the region more broadly. 9. Her thoughts on the Trump administration in regards to Palestine. Guest Intro: Hala Rharrit is an expert in Middle East and North African (MENA) affairs and U.S. relations with the MENA region. She was an award-winning American diplomat who resigned from the State Department in April 2024 in opposition to the Biden's Administration Gaza policy. Hala is fundamentally a peacemaker and her resignation made her the first career American diplomat to publicly resign. In her media interviews since leaving the State Department, including with⁠⁠ CNN⁠⁠, Washington Post⁠⁠,⁠⁠ NPR⁠⁠,⁠⁠ Democracy Now⁠⁠, and⁠⁠ Al Jazeera English⁠⁠, she explains how the policy is illegal, inhumane, counter-productive, and a threat to U.S. national security. Hala also has deep expertise in human rights and counter-terrorism, having worked extensively on those files as an American diplomat. She was the recipient of multiple prestigious State Department awards throughout her 18 years with the State Department, recognizing her impactful diplomatic work across assignments. She is now focused on raising awareness and on the illegality, inhumanity, and failures of the Biden-Harris Administration's Gaza policy, as she promotes diplomatic solutions based on a common humanity. You can follow Hala on social media specifically Instagram and LinkedIn. Please subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends and family so we can continue this good work.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Marianela Pereyra about Palestinian liberation, activism and her recent trip to Egypt. We discuss: – Her background and story in Palestinian activism. – The immense mental health toll of this genocide. – The impact of social media to bring awareness to the Palestinian struggle. – What strategies is she using most in bringing more awareness to this issue. – The Green Party and how this current duopoly needs to break. – Backlash she’s faced for standing up for Palestine. Guest Bio: Marianela Pereyra was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is a TV personality, writer, and voice over actor who has worked for various networks, including MTV, NBC, VH1, Fox Sports and ESPN. In addition to her work in television, she is actively pursuing her lifelong passion for exploration and wellness with her mindful travel blog ‘The Fuddhist’. She is also extremely vocal in her support for the Palestinian struggling recently, went on humanitarian trip to Egypt. Please subscribe to the channel and shared with your friends and family, so we can continue our good work.

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast I talk with Reem Elkhaldi founder of the organization ‘Healing our homeland’. She talks about her work on the ground in Gaza, shares some first hand stories from Gaza and discusses how we should approach the liberation of Palestine. We discuss: 1. Reem’s background as a Palestinian. 2. What is Healing our Homeland and its main aims? 3. What are the current challenges getting aid into Gaza. 4. How has she been coping with everything that's going on in Gaza? 5. Some first hand stories from Gaza. 6. What are some of the challenges women in particular are facing in Gaza and how can we help them? 7. The connection between the Palestinian cause and Islam Guest Bio Reem was born in Florida, where she currently lives with her husband and two children. She is a Palestinian in diaspora and the daughter of Palestinian refugees born in Gaza. Since 2018, Reem has been consistently collaborating with community lead initiatives throughout the Gaza strip to provide necessities, such as, food, clothing, and shelter to over 1,000 people. As Reem worked closely with those living in the world’s largest open-air prison, she felt an urgency to do more. Reem listened, researched, and prayed on how to resist the overwhelming injustice and oppression that plagues the world. Reem founded Healing our Homeland during her own journey of healing and with the intention to fulfill her ethical duty as a Muslim. Reem graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a B.A. in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication. She graduated with her Judicial Doctorate degree from Barry University. She is dedicated to public service on both a local and global level. Among her experience, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in Orlando with a focus on prosecuting sex crimes, domestic violence, and crimes against children. In 2017 she joined the Office of Institutional Equity at UCF as a Title IX Investigator. Reem has been using a trauma informed approach in her practice for the past 10 years. These days, Reem spends her time in nature, nurturing her children, writing her memoir, and investing in Healing our Homeland. As a reminder please subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends and family so we can continue our good work.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Dr. Mark Perlmutter, who is an Orthopedic Surgeon from North Carolina and recently went on a medical mission to Gaza in March. He describes much of the horrors he witnessed in Gaza. We discuss: – what motivated him to go to Gaza. – What type of injuries he saw in Gaza. – The extent of the carnage and destruction in Gaza. – Whether he considers Israel’s actions in Gaza to be a genocide. – The deliberate targeting of hospital, infrastructure and medical workers in Gaza. – How he’s able to carry on with life normally once he witnessed that level of trauma. – What does he see as the future for the people of Gaza.  Guest Bio: Dr. Mark Perlmutter is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship, trained hand surgeon practicing North Carolina. He is the vice president of the international college of surgeons and went on a medical mission to Gaza at the end of March. Please subscribe to the channel and shared with your friends and family, so we can continue our good work.

In this Episode of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast, I talk with Josh Paul who resigned from the State Department in October 2023 due the current administration's handling of military assistance to Israel. We discuss his resignation, how he sees the current conflict and even touch on his findings regarding sexual violence towards Palestinians occurring in Israeli detention centers. This week has been one of the deadliest in Gaza ever since the war began which has now stretched into the 9th month. Daily massacres of the civilian population in Gaza have led to a dire situation, which was very bleak to begin with. There have been massacres on people playing soccer, people living in tents in a “safe zone” and many more. We discuss: 1. What led to his resignation from the State Department in the aftermath of Oct 7th? 2. The process of transferring arms to Israel. 3. Is the US violating its own laws concerning arms transfers to Israel? 4. Why there is such blatant disregard for international humanitarian law when it comes to Israel and how the double standard can be called out here domestically. 5. The current situation within the State Department given the high number of resignations we've seen recently. 6. A bit of detail regarding his investigation into sexual violence inside Israeli prisons. 7. The possible short term and longer term possibilities with regards to this genocide. 8. His thoughts on the upcoming election and how a Trump administration would handle the current conflict. Guest intro: Josh Paul resigned from the State Department in October, 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Congressional staffer for Representative Steve Israel (D-NY). Josh grew up between London and New York, and holds Masters degrees from the Universities of Georgetown and St Andrews, Scotland. He is currently a Non-Resident Fellow at the organization Democracy Now for the Arab World (DAWN) and a recipient of the 2023 Callaway Award for Civic Courage. Please subscribe to the channel and share it with your friends and family so we can continue our good work.

”If I Must Die, You Must Live to Tell My Story”

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Alon- Lee Green about the current war in Gaza, the challenges getting aid into Gaza and the efforts of his organization standing together in creating a land with equal rights for both Palestinians and Jews. Guest Intro: Alon-Lee Green is the National co-Director and a founder of Standing Together. He got his start organizing Israel's first trade union of waiters in a chain of coffee-shops and went on to found Israel's first National Waiters Union. Alon-Lee emerged as a prominent leader of Israel's social protest movement in the summer of 2011, and subsequently served as a political adviser in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. As a reminder, please subscribe to the channel and share this content with your friends and family so we can continue our good work.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Elijah Kahlenberg who is the founder of Atidna international and a current student at the University of Texas at Austin. We discuss: – his Jewish background and how this informs his values. – What is Atidna and what are its main aims? – Is Elijah a self hating Jew? – How does Elijah view the current situation in Gaza and all over Palestine?  – A discussion on the state of college protests sweeping the nation. – The possibility of one democratic state equal for Jews and Muslims alike. – What he sees as the future in Palestine. Guest Bio: Elijah Kahlenberg, an undergraduate student and researcher currently studying at the University of Texas at Austin, is the President and Founder of Atidna International-the only organization operating on college campuses dedicated to bringing together Jews and Arabs in pursuit of dialogue and peace building to solidify that both peoples are one family. Elijah is also active as a leader in the Gaza anti-war/divestment protests sweeping college campuses. Elijah is likewise on the Board of Roots (Shorashim/Judur), the only organization dedicated to pursuing joint and civil initiatives in the West Bank between Jews and Arabs. He is a 2024 Truman scholar and has appeared in various media, including CNN, ABC News, Good Morning America, the Forward, Al Jazeera, NPR and others, to discuss his peace-building/dialogue initiatives and/or the protests. He has previously written opinion pieces for Newsday, Times of Israel, International Policy Digest, and other outlets.  http://AtidnaInternational.com

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Dr. Aman Odeh who is a board-certified pediatrician that recently visited Gaza with a medical team. She describes the scenes of devastation she witnessed in Gaza, as well as the messages of hope she brought back. We discussed: – her background as a Palestinian growing up. – Her journey into Gaza on a medical mission. – The scenes of devastation she encountered there. – The state of the healthcare system and Gaza currently. – What the children of Gaza told her. – Her advice to us in the west in continuing our struggle for the Palestinian people, especially college students. Guest intro Dr. Aman Odeh is a board-certified pediatrician who has resided in Austin area for the past 15 years. She recently went on a medical mission to Gaza with the team of 10 physicians and other healthcare workers. She is originally Palestinian from Jerusalem and her grandparents were refugees in the Nakba of 1948. At the end of our discussion, I also share photos and videos of Dr. Odeh’s trip to Gaza. To view these, please take a look at the YouTube channel.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree Podcast, I have a discussion with Dina Arouri about the Palestinian diaspora. There are currently nearly 14 million Palestinians worldwide with about half of them living outside of historic Palestine. Dina is one of them. Her grandfather was forced to flee his home at gunpoint in 1948 and she tells the story of her family roots in Palestine and navigating her Palestinian identity having been born and raised in the United States.  We discuss: – Dina‘s family roots in Palestine and her grandparents’ survival of the Nakba in 1948. – What it means to be a Palestinian and how to understand that identity as an American.  – Where the Palestinian diaspora is located around the world and how many Palestinians are there in different places. – The current state of Palestinian activism in the United States and the challenges faced speaking up for Palestine.  Guest intro: Dina Arouri is a Palestinian-American advocate, activist, and licensed attorney. She proudly identifies as the granddaughter of four 1948 Nakba survivors and has dedicated her academic career to understanding the complexities of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. She earned her Bachelor’s degree with honors distinction in International Relations from Rollins College. Continuing her education at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, she served as a Managing Editor of the Florida Law Review and was published in the Florida Law Review Forum for her work on Universal Jurisdiction. Throughout her time at UF, she excelled in her coursework surrounding International Criminal Law and Counterterrorism, ultimately earning her Florida Bar License in September 2019.

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree Podcast, I have a discussion with Dr. Jill Stein about a range of topics including her fight against genocide in Gaza, her presidential campaign, and even her background as a Physician.  We discuss: Dr. Stein’s background in medicine and transition into politics and activism.  How she got involved in the Palestinian cause for justice. Why is there such a poor understanding of the Palestinian struggle in the US? How does the Israel lobby maintain such a strong grip on US policy?  What strategies can be employed to try and fight against AIPAC and the lobby?  Are American politicians misguided and believe Israeli ideology or do they know the truth and are corrupt? Or a bit of both? A bit about the Green Party and What is Dr. Stein’s vision in her presidential run?  What does she see in the future for Palestine? Guest Intro: Dr. Jill Stein is a Chicago native and Harvard-educated doctor. She was in medical practice for 25 years, before being recruited to run for Governor of Massachusetts. She has led initiatives for voting reform and environmental justice, among others, and she has run for president as a Green Party candidate in 2012 and 2016. She is running again for President this November. The 2024 campaign is currently on track to get ballot access in all 50 states and will be the leading campaign to challenge the war machine establishment of both major political parties.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Dr. Azzam Tamimi on understanding Palestinian resistance. Palestinian resistance has been going on over the past 100 years or so ever since the first settlers arrived in the land of Palestine, and the Palestinians understood the intentions of Zionist ideology. Dr. Azzam Tamimi is a Palestinian born in Hebron, whose family was displaced from their homeland. He has excellent knowledge of the history of the Palestinian resistance, having written several books on the topic as well. We discuss: His personal journey as a Palestinian growing up. A brief history of Palestinian resistance. Who is Hamas and what are its origins? Understanding Hamas' founding charter vs. Shaykh Ahmad Yassin emphasis on the movement being against Zionism and not Judaism. What really happened on October 7th? Is there any truth to Hamas leaders being worth billions? How is Hamas perceived in the West? What are the next steps in Palestine? Where is this conflict headed? Guest intro: Dr. Azzam Tamimi is a British Palestinian academic and political activist. He is the chairman and Editor-In-Chief of Al Hiwar TV Channel and the author of Hamas: A History from Within amongst many other books. He has extensive knowledge about Palestine and especially Palestinian resistance.

In Episode 5 of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have another discussion with Raphael Mimoun on Zionism.  We discuss: The origins of Zionism and its early phase, primarily in the late 1800s and early 1900s all the way up to 1948. The origin and aims of Zionism will significantly help you understand what’s going on in Palestine today. I hope you find this discussion valuable.  Guest Intro: Raphael Mimoun is a French-American Jew and human rights activist. He grew up in France in a Zionist household and community and traveled regularly to Israel to visit family. At 18, he moved to Israel where he studied the Israeli –Palestinian conflict and Middle Eastern politics. He went on to earn two masters in international relations in Germany and the United States. From a staunch supporter of Israel, Raphael’s research into the Israeli- Palestinian conflict led him to see anti-Zionism as the only path towards justice and peace in the Middle East. He writes about Zionism, the fight for Palestinian liberation, and his experience in the Jewish community in France and Israel on his blog page www.onesmalldetail.blog. Raphael’s blog: www.onesmalldetail.blog

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Imam Zaid Shakir about viewing Palestine from a spiritual lens. With the incredible amounts of death and destruction we’ve seen in Gaza, it’s now more important than ever to be strongly rooted in a spiritual foundation so we are able to better cope with the events going on in Gaza and all over Palestine. The incredible amount of strength and resilience shown by the Palestinian people is admirable and a lesson for us all around the world. The Gazans have truly awakened the world and shown how to act in the face of incredible hardships. My hope is that through this discussion, those struggling with the events and folding in Palestine, especially in Gaza, will feel stronger in their faith and be able to understand suffering in a more profound way. Guest Intro: Imam Zaid Shakir is a giant in the American Muslim community. He is the co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. He’s been an immense leader in the Muslim community here in the US for the last several decades. I'm very happy he could share his wisdom with us in this episode.

In this episode of the Save the Olive Tree Podcast, I have a discussion with Raphael Mimoun on Zionism. Raphael grew up in a Zionist household very much indoctrinated with that belief system. He has since been on a journey of becoming enlightened to the realities of Zionism and the Palestinian struggle. We discuss:  - Raphael’s upbringing in a Zionist household. - The history of Zionism and its beginnings in the late 19th century as well as what it has evolved into today.  - How so many Israelis are oblivious to the suffering of Palestinians.  - Is Anti-Zionism the same as Anti-Semitism? - The current situation in Palestine since October 7th.  - Where do we see the future of Zionism heading from here?  Guest Intro: Raphael Mimoun is a French-American Jew and human rights activist. He grew up in France in a Zionist household and community and traveled regularly to Israel to visit family. At 18, he moved to Israel where he studied the Israeli –Palestinian conflict and Middle Eastern politics. He went on to earn two masters in international relations in Germany and the United States. From a staunch supporter of Israel, Raphael’s research into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict led him to see anti-Zionism as the only path toward justice and peace in the Middle East. He writes about Zionism, the fight for Palestinian liberation, and his experience in the Jewish community in France and Israel on his blog page www.onesmalldetail.blog. Raphael’s blog: www.onesmalldetail.blog

October 7th represented a watershed moment in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Israeli narrative has painted that day to be an unprovoked, brutal terrorist attack rife with a huge amount of misinformation and lies. Now, almost 4 months later, we are starting to find out about the truth of that day. Recently, Hamas released an 18 page document highlighting why Operation Al-Aqsa flood took place, refuting the many lies around that attack and the path forward. In this episode, I discuss that document and provide context around October 7th. I discuss the Israeli narrative around that day, whether violence against non-muslims is encouraged in Islam, the plight of Palestinian hostages which the western media does not like to mention and who Hamas are and what are their aims? This is an important discussion so we can get to the truth I discuss: The Israeli Narrative around October 7th Is Violence Against Non-Muslims Encouraged in Islam?  Why did Operation Aqsa Flood Happen?  What about Palestinian hostages?  Who was REALLY targeted on October 7th Do Second Amendment right advocates believe Palestinians can arm themselves? Who is Hamas and what do they say are their aims?

In this episode of the Save The Olive Tree podcast, I have a discussion with Hasan Mitwalli about what it’s like to live in East Jerusalem as a Palestinian. Imagine being born and raised in Jerusalem where your family has resided for 400 years, yet you are not allowed citizenship in that very country. You are not allowed equal rights to another ethnic group. You have constant limitations in your daily activities and limits to your freedom. That’s the experience of my friend Hasan Mitwalli who shares aspects of his life in Jerusalem.  We discuss:  - What life is like in East Jerusalem for a Palestinian.  - Muslim limitations to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. - Is Israel a Democratic state? - Is the tide of American thought on Palestine shifting? - What is the path forward for Palestine?  Guest Intro: Hasan Mithwalli is a personal friend and Palestinian living in East Jerusalem where his family has resided for over 400 years. He works as a tour guide in the city with extensive knowledge of the city layout as well as its history giving tourists a first-hand look at what life is like in eastern Jerusalem.

The Palestinian struggle for freedom has been going on for 75 years now. The Palestinian people have since been subjected to a brutal regimen of killing, destruction of homes, and a denial of their basic human rights by the Apartheid state of Israel. Israel has done a very good job of creating a narrative that paints the Palestinians as terrorists and aggressors in their struggle for freedom.This podcast aims to clearly and effectively share the Palestinian's side and wake the world up to their constant suffering. I aim to provide important dialogues with guests especially those knowledgeable in that area. I hope that through these conversations, the Palestinian people gain an important voice in the Western world and come closer to achieving their freedom.