Arab Talk with Jess & Jamal

Jess & Jamal interview Chafika Attalai and Isis Koral from CCIF, the Collective Against Islamophobia in France. They discuss the different laws, discrimination and obstacles facing the Muslim community in France and in Europe. To learn more about CCIF, visit their website http://www.islamophobie.net/en/

Jamal interviews Maad Abu-Ghazalah, Founder and Executive Director of Daily Hugz, an animal shelter located in an olive grove in the village of Asira. Daily Hugz offers sanctuary to homeless and abused animals and a safe play environment for children in Palestine. Maad talks about the progress made at his sanctuary but also reflects on the current political situation and the difficulties facing Palestinians under Apartheid conditions. To learn more about Daily Hugz go to http://www.dailyhugz.org/

Jess and Jamal decipher President Trump’s State of the Union address and its inaccuracies. They also comment on Republican Senator Mitt Romney’s vote to convict Donald Trump, and the debacle at the Iowa caucuses and its impact on the Democratic Party.

Jess & Jamal discuss the unveiling of President Trump’s so-called “Deal of the Century,” which is tantamount to the Bantustans of South Africa’s apartheid regime. According to the plan, Palestinians lose all claims to Jerusalem and the right of return of refugees. Meanwhile, Israeli Colonial Settlements will be annexed to Israel along with the Jordan Valley, and security forces will continue to be posted inside Palestine, which would have to be demilitarized.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial, as Democrats argue that Trump pushed the Ukrainian government to probe Biden and his son because he was worried about facing the former vice president in November’s election. They also discuss leaked reports that current VP Mike Pence invited Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, during the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, to start discussing the “Deal of the Century,” without inviting any representatives from the Palestinian Authority.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate, as a trove of texts, voice mail messages, calendar entries and other records from Lev Parnas were released. An associate of the president’s personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, Parnas offered new details about the Ukraine scandal. They also discuss the recent uproar over a gaffe made by the producers and host of the popular television game show “Jeopardy!” about the location of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Jess & Jamal discuss the repercussions resulting from the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and the War of Misinformation surrounding Iran’s response and the downing of the Ukrainian airliner.

Jess and Jamal discuss President Trump’s executive order designed to cut off aid to colleges that tolerate anti-Semitism. However, many First Amendment advocates see it as an effort to stifle free speech and criticism of Israel. Jess and Jamal discuss the impact of this executive order on academic freedom.

Jamal Dajani interviews journalist and cooking show host Blanche Shaheen who has recently published her first cooking book, "Feast in the Middle East: A Personal Journey of Family and Cuisine." According to Shaheen, readers will be able to recreate street foods like chicken shawarma and crispy falafel in their own kitchens or move on to more complex dishes and delicious desserts. Shaheen also discusses her recent trip to Palestine and her connection to the land, people, culture and cuisine. Link to order the book: https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/2189

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. They also discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that the Trump administration is reversing its stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal under international law, a move that was condemned by Palestinians and many countries around the world.