Centre Stage

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is veteran journalist and editor-in-chief of The Middle East Eye, David Hearst. His career spans decades of reporting on Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Hearst talks about why he thinks we’re currently witnessing the collapse of the Western governance model, and how the mistakes of the West are linked to the war on Gaza.  In this episode: David Hearst (@davidahearst), veteran journalist and editor-in-chief of The Middle East Eye Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital This episode is produced in partnership with the Islam and Muslims Initiative, an international platform that connects Muslims and non-Muslims in the realms of religion, politics, business, media, academia and civil society. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

The trailblazing leader of Slovenia who became the country’s first female president did it without the backing of a political party. President Natasa Pirc Musar had a diverse career as an attorney, journalist and former information commissioner. A staunch advocate for human rights, President Musar talks about Slovenia’s recent recognition of Palestine, and why a reform of the UN Security Council is needed.  In this episode: Natasa Pirc Musar (@nmusar), President of Slovenia Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital This episode is produced in partnership with the Islam and Muslims Initiative, an international platform that connects Muslims and non-Muslims in the realms of religion, politics, business, media, academia and civil society. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, the former president of Tunisia, Moncef Marzouki, explains how being a medical doctor has helped shape his political career, and why the Arab Spring has been a failure — “everywhere”. Moncef Marzouki was Tunisia’s first president after the Arab Spring uprisings. But less than a decade after he was sworn in, and following a coup, Tunisia’s new government stripped him of his passport and issued an international warrant for his arrest for incitement to overthrow the government. Today, Moncef Marzouki takes Centre Stage, to explain his side of the events, and how he sees the future unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa. In this episode: Moncef Marzouki, former president of Tunisia Dareen Abughaida (@DareenAG),  Principal Presenter at Al Jazeera English  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

For six months, people have watched Israel’s war on Gaza and heard words like genocide, apartheid, and ICJ become part of the daily news lexicon. For some, it can be difficult to follow and fully understand. Noura Erakat is a human rights attorney, an associate professor at Rutgers University, and an advocate for justice and equality for Palestinians. Speaking on Centre Stage with host Rawaa Auge, Erakat explains the colonial structure of rule in Palestine and the UN’s mandate there. In this episode: Noura Erakat (@4noura), human rights attorney and associate professor at Rutgers University Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Diana Buttu is an international lawyer, a former legal adviser to the PLO, and a staunch defender of the Palestinian cause. Buttu debunks the myth that hostilities in Gaza began only after the October 7 attacks, looks at what’s behind the defunding of UNRWA, and challenges Israel’s often-repeated claim of having the most “moral army in the world.” In this episode: Diana Buttu (@dianabuttu), international lawyer Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Mustafa Barghouti joins us on Centre Stage. He talks with to us about confronting Israeli oppression, the realities of what he calls Israel’s “system of fascists” and he hints at his political future.  In this episode: Mustafa Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1), secretary general and co-founder of the Palestinian National Initiative Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is Ilan Pappé. He’s an Israeli historian and professor at the University of Exeter. Pappé is known for his outspoken views on the Israeli-Palestinian question - drawing both praise and criticism. He’s the author of several books including "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine", in which he challenges the traditional Israeli narrative over the establishment of Israel in 1948. In today’s episode, Pappé discusses the dangers of the Zionist ideology and its impact on Israel and Palestine, the historical context of October 7, and his vision for a one-state solution.  In this episode: Ilan Pappé (@pappe54), Israeli historian and professor at the University of Exeter Dareen Abughaida (@DareenAG), Principal Presenter at Al Jazeera English  Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, our guest is UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese. She is an international lawyer with a focus on human rights, migration and the displacement of refugees. Albanese has been vocal and critical of Israel and its partners. Her assessments are blunt. And when describing Israel's actions in war, she does not hold back. In this episode: Francesca Albanese (@FranceskAlbs), UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

In this episode of Centre Stage, Harry Hagopian talks about the interfaith mosaic of Islam, Judaism and Christianity within the Israel-Palestine context and describes his role during the Oslo Accords. He also sheds light on the often forgotten, if not also overlooked or neglected, indigenous Christian population of the Holy Land. Harry Hagopian, an Armenian Christian originally from Jordan, is an international lawyer based in the UK and the former Assistant General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches. In this episode: Harry Hagopian, international lawyer based in the UK  Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital This episode is produced in partnership with the Islam and Muslims Initiative, an international platform that connects Muslims and non-Muslims in the realms of religion, politics, business, media, academia and civil society. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

Omar Shakir is the Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch. He has spent years documenting and investigating human rights abuses and Israeli crimes against humanity across Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories. He joins us to explain the processes and difficulties in carrying out his job as well as provide an overview of the long list of crimes Israel has committed against Palestinians. In this episode: Omar Shakir (@OmarSShakir), Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch Rawaa Auge (@Rawaak), presenter at Al Jazeera Digital This episode is produced in partnership with the Islam and Muslims Initiative, an international platform that connects Muslims and non-Muslims in the realms of religion, politics, business, media, academia and civil society. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook