Middle East Monitor Conversations

Millions of Muslims in the US have said Gaza is the most important election issue for them, but with the frontrunners in the presidential election being Israel supporters Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, how will they vote?On 5 November, Americans will take to the polls to pick the 47th president of the United States. The choice before them will be incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. For large sections of the American public the choice is clear, for Harris supporters, a Trump presidency represents an existential threat to democracy and an attack on women and minority rights. For Trump supporters, a Harris presidency represents a liberal establishment that is both out of touch with ordinary working Americans and is actively hostile to them. However, for the rest of American society the election is less clear cut. For Arab and Muslim Americans there are concerns about both candidates, while Trumpian politics is seen as antagonistic towards Muslims, Harris's stance on Israel/Palestine has made many feel they cannot vote for her. The majority of Muslim American voters polled say Gaza is the most important election issue for them and the Muslim vote could play a key role in swing states. So how do Arab and Muslim Americans see the upcoming election? This week, MEMO is in Conversation with Saher Selod of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding to help us delve into what's at stake both for the candidates and the electorate.Saher Selod is Director of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding and Associate Professor and previous Chair of the Department of Sociology at Simmons University in Boston, MA. Her research expertise centres on the experiences of Muslims with surveillance. Her first book, 'Forever Suspect: Racialised Surveillance of Muslim Americans in the War on Terror', examines how Muslim men and  women experience gendered forms of racialisation through their hyper surveillance because of the War on Terror. Her co-authored second book, 'A Global Racial Enemy: Muslims and Twenty-First Century Racism', assesses how the global War on Terror has justified the detention, imprisonment and hyper surveillance of Muslims in the US, UK, India and China.

Israeli occupation authorities have uprooted more than 800,000 Palestinians olive trees since 1967, Treedom for Palestine is working to replant them and protect Palestinian farmers' deep ties to their land.This week on MEMO in Conversation we have a truly inspiring story that beautifully illustrates the power of art, activism and agriculture in creating tangible change. Our guest, Cyrus Copeland, Executive Director of Treedom for Palestine, shares the remarkable journey of an initiative that has recently made headlines following the release of a powerful documentary 'Where Olive Trees Weep' and its mission to plant olive trees in the occupied West Bank.Cyrus takes us through the genesis of Treedom for Palestine, from his personal connection to tree planting to witnessing the deep relationship between Palestinians and their olive trees. He discusses the collaboration with the Palestinian Farmers' Union and the impact of planting 1,000 olive trees on the lives of Palestinian farmers. The conversation touches on the challenges faced, including the need for steel fencing to protect the Freedom Farms from settler violence and the staggering statistic that since 1967, Israeli occupation authorities have uprooted more than 800,000 Palestinian olive trees.As we explore the international reception of the documentary and its influence on the project's growth, Cyrus shares insights into the future of Treedom for Palestine. He discusses how growing awareness of settler violence has affected support for the project and outlines the long-term goals for this initiative. Cyrus is a writer, nonprofit pioneer and speaker who was born in Washington DC. At the age of 10 his family moved to Iran, just before the 1979 revolution. His experiences, including his father's imprisonment during the Islamic Revolution, have deeply influenced his work. A critically acclaimed author, Cyrus's writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Slate and the Boston Globe. 

There are many parallels between Canada and Israel as settler-colonial states, including the erasure of indigenous populations. But how do Canada's own historic and present policies shape its stance on Israel's actions in Gaza and its foreign policy with regards Palestine? 

Palestinians who have been released from Israeli detention since October 2023 have reported systematic abuse, torture and sexual assault, join us as we discuss the implications of Israel's degrading treatment of Palestinians and why it has intensified such measures over the past few months.Israeli rights group B'Tselem published a harrowing new report, "Welcome to Hell: The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps", which provides testimonies from 55 Palestinian prisoners and exposes the shocking reality of systematic abuse, torture and dehumanisation within Israeli detention facilities since 7 October 2023. Joining us to discuss the report and how life has changed for Palestinians living under occupation since October is B'Tselem's spokesperson, Shai Parnes. Parnes provides a stark overview of the dramatic increase in Palestinian prisoners, including men, women and children, many held without charge or trial. We look into the horrific conditions Palestinian detainees face, from severe overcrowding and denial of basic necessities to physical and sexual violence. The conversation also explores how this mass incarceration system fits into Israel's broader apartheid regime and its devastating impact on Palestinian society.Parnes sheds light on the disturbing accounts of organised tours for the Israeli public showcasing prisoner abuse and the chilling role of special forces units within the prisons and the legal implications of these practices under international law.

What do Turkiye's Justice and Development Party (AKP), Tunisia's Ennahda and the Muslim Brotherhood have in common and are their ties shaping policy in the Middle East and Turkiye? Turkiye's youngest editor joins us to discuss what drives their relationship.  In 2013, at the height of the Gezi Park protests, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a decision that surprised many Turks. He boarded a flight for Tunisia and held a meeting with the Ennahda Party. Many Turkish journalists and observers struggled to understand why, during a time of upheaval, Erdogan would head for North Africa. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has deep ties to Tunisia's Ennahda Party and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, but what exactly did these ties consist of and what was the relationship between them? A new book 'The New Spirit of Islamism: Interactions between the AKP, Ennahda and the Muslim Brotherhood' delves into how the 3 movements came to be associated with one another, what they share and, more importantly, where they differ. What drives the relationship is not ideology, but pragmatism the book argues. But what exactly does all of that mean? Joining us on MEMO in Conversation is the book's author Ezgi Basaran.  Basaran is a journalist and political scientist from Istanbul who currently lives in Oxford,UK. Her journalistic career began as a reporter, covering various conflict zones and significant global events. Her skill in journalism led to her roles as a columnist and later editor-in-chief of Turkyie’s then largest and most prestigious liberal left daily, making her the youngest editor and the first woman in this position. She wrote extensively on critical issues, including the Kurdish conflict, Middle Eastern politics, human rights violations and freedom of speech. Her investigative work earned her several accolades. Her first English book, 'Frontline Turkey: The Crisis at the Heart of the Middle East', delves into Turkiye’s Kurdish issue and its regional ramifications. Combining over two decades of experience in journalism with her recent path in academia, Ezgi is committed to unravelling the complexities of Turkish and Middle Eastern politics.

We have all watched the genocide unfold in Gaza and seen imges of the victims, but what are their stories, how have they lived their lives and what is the importance of Gaza in the larger struggle or a free Palestine? Join our MEMO in Conversation as we talk to the men behind 'Day break in Gaza' a book which provides insight through the stories of Palestinians Gaza. Tune in to MEMO’s latest podcast featuring an exclusive interview with Matthew Teller and Mahmoud Muna, editors of the powerful new book 'Day Break in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Culture'. This timely collection brings together some 50 diverse voices to shed light on the humanitarian crisis, historical context and themes of resistance and resilience in Gaza since 7 October 2023.We discuss the many challenges Teller and Muna faced in compiling such a significant work amidst Israel’s ongoing military aggression, and explore some of the most poignant stories from the book. We talk about the symbolism of Gaza in the Palestinian struggle, the unique perspectives of Christian families in the region, and the remarkable ability of contributors to reason through trauma and pain.The editors share insights on powerful essays from the volume and offer a rare glimpse into the rich cultural identity and daily lives of Gazans. We explore the psychological impact of conflict, economic hardships and the international response to the crisis. Join us as we uncover the stories behind 'Day Break in Gaza' and discuss the editors' hopes for the book's impact on readers worldwide.Matthew Teller is an author, journalist and documentary-maker. He writes for the BBC, CNN, the Times, Financial Times, Independent and Guardian and presents and produces documentaries for Radio 4 and BBC World Service. He is the author of 'Nine Quarters of Jerusalem: A New Biography of the Old City'.His co-editor, Mahmoud Muna, is a writer, publisher and bookseller from Jerusalem, Palestine. He runs Jerusalem’s celebrated Educational Bookshop and the bookshop at the American Colony Hotel, both centres of the city’s literary scene. Muna has degrees in Media and Communication from the University of Sussex and King’s College London. He is active in many cultural initiatives across Palestine and writes regularly on culture and politics, with bylines in the London Review of Books and Jerusalem Quarterly, among others.

When Greene agreed to be interviewed on Talk TV he was told that conversation would be open and he was welcome to put his points across to viewers and the hosts, however when the show started, presenter James Whale shut him down for wearing a keffiyeh and refused to speak to him. Greene tells MEMO why he continues to remain active in spite of such attacks.American students are rebelling. The campus protests across the US against Israel's genocide in Gaza and Washington's support for Tel Aviv's actions have alarmed Israel and its supporters. US President Joe Biden has condemned them and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused them of being 'Iran's useful idiots' during his speech to the US congress last week. This panic is also reflected in sections of the media, when Bryce Greene was invited onto Talk TV, he found his mere presence was triggering for the hosts. What upset them? Greene turned up wearing a keffiyeh, a scarf worn by Palestinians and pro-Palestine advocates, which led to the hosts cutting him off and ending the interview. Greene is involved with organising student protests and was invited on to discuss why people should not support Israel's genocide. What is it about these young protests that Zionists fear so much? Bryce Greene joins us on MEMO Conversation. Bryce Greene is US Gaza student encampment organiser. 

The founders of IJAN speak to MEMO about attacks on anti-Zionist Jews, the far-right's alliance with the Zionist movement and whether the genocide in Gaza is the beginning of the end of the Zionist movementIn this week’s MEMO in Conversation we are discussing opposition to Zionism from the Jewish community. We are pleased to have on the podcast the founders of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Michael Kalmanovitz and Sam Weinstein, who discuss the organisation's history, core values and current challenges. Established in 2008, IJAN is committed to the liberation of Palestinian people and land, differentiating itself from Zionist ideologies whilst maintaining a strong Jewish identity.Michael and Sam discuss the weekly protests they’ve been holding since October 2023 against Israeli leaders. highlighting the challenges faced by protesters, including harassment and intimidation from counter-protesters, and instances of arrests based on what they describe as spurious allegations. Expressing concern about the growing alliance between global far-right movements and Zionism, they outline how this is affecting the anti-Zionism movement.Beyond protesting, IJAN is working to hold Israeli figures like Tzipi Hotovely accountable for genocide and are concerned by efforts to silence anti-Zionist Jews.With the rights abuses we see in Gaza, Michael and Sam share their views on whether the genocide in the Strip represents the beginning of the end of Zionism.  Michael Kalmanovitz is a founding member of IJAN and a member of Payday, an antiracist and anti-imperialist network of men working with the Global Women’s Strike.    Sam Weinstein, born in the United States, is a long-standing member of IJAN and a founding member of Payday. Sam spent most of his working life as a fulltime union organiser who came up through the ranks as a gas fitter.

Israel's unsubstantiated rape claims against Palestinian resistance fighters have made headlines across the world, while similar claims by Palestinians against Israeli occupation forces have received minimal attention. This, argues Arun Gupta, is a return to the Jim Crow-era racist tropes that depict brown and black people as inherent threats to white women.In this week’s MEMO Conversation we talk to Arun Gupta, an investigative journalist about his latest article titled 'Israel has manufactured an industrial-scale version of Jim Crow rape hoaxes'. Gupta's article, heavily referenced and meticulously detailed, challenges the mainstream narrative surrounding the events of 7 October. Gupta speaks about the motivations and mechanisms behind the propagation of alleged mass rape by Hamas. He talks about the historical parallels that underscore these fabricated allegations, likening them to Jim Crow-era racist tropes that depict brown and black people as inherent threats to white women.Describing the challenges he faced in publishing his findings, particularly in an environment where mainstream media often aligns with Israel's narrative without rigorous verification, Gupta highlights how Israel's Civil Commission on October 7 Crimes has played a central role in amplifying these unfounded rape allegations, despite a glaring lack of concrete evidence.Furthermore, Gupta shed light on the broader implications of these rape hoaxes, including the weaponisation of feminist movements like #MeToo and accusations of anti-Semitism to stifle dissent and evade scrutiny. He also discussed the stark contrast in media coverage regarding the sexual abuse allegations against Palestinians by Israeli forces, which receive minimal attention compared to the widely circulated, yet unsubstantiated, claims against Hamas.Arun Gupta is a investigate journalist. He has written for the Daily Beast, the Raw Story, the Guardian, the Washington Post and other publications including the Intercept. Gupta is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and the author of the upcoming book 'Apocalypse Chow'.

Though many claim Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rolled back India's liberalism and secularism and turned it towards right-wing popularism, Hindu identity has always been a key aspect of India's governance since its independence and the road to Modi's India has been decades in the making, Dr Cesari tells MEMO.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a third-term in India's general election in June 2024. Modi and his BJP party have transformed the country over the last 10 years. Critics say Modi has rolled back India's liberalism and secularism and turned the country towards right-wing populism, hatred of minorities and imposing a brand of Hindu identity that is hostile to the south Asian country's plural landscape. Islamophobia is a key feature of Modi's style of government with different BJP politicians pushing ideas such as the foreignness of Muslims, conspiracy theories of Islam taking over and the security threat its followers pose. Despite India's constitutional secularism, Hindu identity has always been a key aspect of India's governance going back to the country's independence in 1947, contrary to what critics claim. The road to Modi's India was decades in the making. Discussing the changes Modi has made to India, Hindu identity and Islamophobia, MEMO in Conversation is joined by Dr Jocelyne Cesari. Dr Cesari is Chair of Religion and Politics at the University of Birmingham (UK) and is Senior Fellow at the Berkley Centre for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown University. Since 2018, she has held the position of T. J. Dermot Dunphy Visiting Professor of Religion, Violence and Peacebuilding at Harvard Divinity School. In 2020 she was named Distinguished Scholar of the religion section of the International Studies Association and Distinguished Fellow of the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs and the Royal Society for Arts in the United Kingdom. Her new book: 'We God’s People: Political Christianity, Islam and Hinduism in the World of Nations'  won the 2023 Book Award of the Scientific Society for the Study of Religion. Her other publications include 'What is Political Islam?'; 'Islam, Gender and Democracy in a Comparative Perspective' and 'The Awakening of Muslim Democracy: Religion, Modernity and the State'.