Ben Schuman-Stoler

Dana Elkurd, a journalist specializing in Middle East politics, leads a gripping discussion on Arab-Israeli normalization and its implications for Gaza. She’s joined by Ben Schumann-Stoller, a producer unpacking the historical context of normalization and the Abraham Accords. Matan Kaminar, an anthropologist, explores the darker aspects of Abrahamic narratives and their impact on xenophobia. Together, they dissect how political and economic interests often overshadow Palestinian rights, shining a light on the complexities of reconciliation and reconstruction.

Dana El Kurd, a journalist focusing on Arab-Israeli relations, discusses Gaza's reconstruction and the implications of international aid efforts. Matan Kaminer and Ben Schumann-Stoler delve into the motivations behind the Abraham Accords and the normalization of relations, analyzing its impact on local populations. They critique the rhetoric of tolerance as a tool for coercion and explore the growing discontent among the public regarding elite political agreements. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical future concerning potential Saudi normalization with Israel.

Dana El Kurd hosts Matan Kaminer, an anthropologist researching migration and Arab-Israeli normalization, and Ben Schuman-Stoler, founder of Kolo Media and co-creator of the Bad Cousins podcast. They delve into the Abraham Accords, unpacking how this diplomatic framework both clarifies and muddles the reality of Palestinian rights. The conversation highlights the stark critique of 'tolerance' rhetoric as coercive, the implications of normalization in Gulf states, and the necessity of linking Gaza's struggles to broader global issues like democracy and climate.