This American Life 865: The Other Territory
7 snips
Aug 24, 2025 Yael Even-Or, an Israeli journalist and producer, interviews Ali Awad, a 27-year-old protector of his village Tuba in the West Bank. They discuss the escalating settler violence since October 7, revealing the daily struggles of Palestinians amid tightening Israeli restrictions. Ali shares his efforts to support his community while navigating a hostile environment. The podcast highlights personal stories that illustrate the emotional and psychological toll of conflict, underscoring the resilience and determination of those living in a volatile region.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Daily Checkpoint Survival
- Hamid navigates constantly changing checkpoints and closed roads to reach work, using WhatsApp groups and alternate routes to avoid long delays.
- He adapts with detailed local knowledge and risky detours to keep services running for Palestinian villages.
Mobility As A Lever Of Control
- After October 7th, Israel expanded checkpoints, roadblocks, and barriers that severely constrain Palestinian mobility across the West Bank.
- These measures amplify economic, social, and psychological stress and reduce predictability for daily life.
Making Facts To Preempt Statehood
- Minister Bezalel Smotrich's stated plan aims to change 'facts on the ground' by expanding settlements to extinguish Palestinian statehood hopes.
- The government explicitly uses construction and population shifts to preempt diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state.
