PalCast - One World, One Struggle

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dr. Musallam Abukhalil is a physician from Gaza, who has been working at a shelter since November. He joins us to speak about what he has witnessed, the horror and medical cases he dealt with and the need to provide the basics for people in his care. In addition, he shares his perspective into what Israel aims to achieve in Gaza. Abukhalil runs a campaign to help displaced people at shelters, where 700 families seek refugee at his place of work run by UNRWA. Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves speak to Dr. Musallam about the situation in Gaza and what he experiences in Gaza. To support Dr Abukhalil's work check out @dignity4palestine or email tonygroves23@gmail.com Jon Schwarz on US politics and Gaza is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-103754202

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Maryam Elwaheidy is a translator with a strong foundation in English, Arabic. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Translation from Al-Azhar University in Gaza. She joins us from Gaza city to update us on the latest situation on the ground with the heavy fall of rain which flooded the tents of displaced Palestinians. We also discuss how the world is pretending that the so-called ceasefire means we can all forget about Gaza and what Israel has done over the last two plus years. Tune in for the full story. Note: this was recorded in Leinster House and Richard Boyd-Barrett makes an impromptu appearance at the end. Richard Boyd-Barrett is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143926042 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ayat Abuhelal is a poet, writer, translator, and student of English literature, born and raised in Gaza. She was recently evacuated to Ireland to continue her academic studies. While finishing her BA studies online, she is preparing to start her MA studies in Dublin. She shares a story of struggle between two worlds. This story is of displacement, hope and family that she left behind. When Ayat left Gaza, she also left behind part of her in a city now in rubble. As her new classmates speak of 2026 to come, she at times feel frozen in October 2023. Tune in for the full story. The Philip O'Connor Victory Parade Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-143333372 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sojood Bakroon is a graduate of Literature at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She is a writer and a poet, who hopes to amplify the Palestinian voice and let the world know about Palestine and Gaza. She is now in Ireland doing English and Communication at UCD. In this PalCast episode, she shares her experience of loss, displacement and fonding hope and sadness after leaving Gaza. “The world is a hotel and Gaza my home,” she says. She hopes to return back to Gaza one day to help rebuild. The John Gibbons Climate Action - the lie of the land - podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142412733 Support Dignity for Palestine details here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/call-to-stand-143037542

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack CW: Contains personal stories that some listeners may find upsetting. This week Israel broke the ceasefire with devastating consequences, killing over 100 people, including 46 children. Somehow most western media is reporting that they've now reinstated it. We live in terrible times. Our guest, Hala Al-Khatib is a 20-years-old writer and poet from Gaza and she speaks of the horrors that her neighborhood and all of Gaza went through on October 28, 2025. While Israel carried out the latest massacre, Hala was holding her breath; the IOF tanks visible from what is left of her destroyed home. Earlier in the genocide, she was injured along with some family members when Israel targeted a home on the other side of the street of her parents house. Her parents house now hosts her two sisters, who lost their spouses and homes, and her aunt who lost her home too. Despite all these difficulties, she is still hopeful and has plans for the future. Tune in for the full story. Constantin Gurdgiev podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-142410024

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Noor Abu Mariam, is a Business Administration student, a writer, and the social media manager for Gaza Great Minds School. She is passionate about using storytelling and digital media to share the voices and experiences of people in Gaza. She shares how she saw body parts for the first time in her life while being displaced to the south from Al-Shatii refugee camp. Noor was displaced at least 15 times and despite all the upheaval she hopes to finish her degree and continue her graduate studies. She recounts how she lost her friend and aunt and how the last two years have changed her. Tune in for the full story The Presidential election podcast with Rory Hearne and Harry McEvansoneya is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141790100

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Baraa Qandeel is a Palestinian poet, translator and writer from Gaza. She works in marketing and has suffered immensely during the genocide losing friends and family, and surviving an airstrike nearby that left her in shock for hours. She joins us from Gaza to talk about the ceasefire and what people around her think about it. She discusses conversations amongst her friends about their experiences in what she calls 'triggering sessions.' Tune in for more The Fionnan Sheehan vs Heather Humphreys vs Martin pod is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-141563126 Please support Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Roaa Aladdin Missmeh is a Palestinian from Gaza who loves reading books and finds solace in them. Having left Gaza only a few weeks ago, she is currently doing her Master's degree in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics in Dublin. She shares with us her story of genocide, her journey out of Gaza and her need to tell the story of her people. Tune in for more. The Presidential Election podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140724971 Donate to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ruba Khalid Al-Faleet is a Palestinian writer, artist, and poet based in Gaza. Her work explores the intersection of identity, resistance, and the poetics of survival under siege. As an active member of the Gaza Poets Society and a contributor to the Resilient Voices digital storytelling project by the British Council, Ruba uses her voice to document lived realities, reclaim narrative agency, and build bridges through creative expression. Her art and poetry are deeply intertwined—each piece a visual and verbal testament to what endures when language is all that remains. She joins us from Gaza to share her story. The When Tony met Simon Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-140180209 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/some-good-news-140335712

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Chris Andrews is a Sinn Féin Senator and he's taking part in his fifth Gaza Flotilla. His ship was struck four times last night by Israeli drones. Despite this he and his fellow Sumud Flotilla shipmates, including over 20 Irish people, remain undeterred and committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. He joins us from his ship to talk all about it. Yousef also covers the latest news from Gaza City, where the relentless destruction and bombing drives thousands out in what many fear is a permanent exodus. There's also an update from Ty Gickey ;) The Argentina Bailout podcast with El Pais's Nicholas Leal is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-139738780 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-in-139268758

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmad Abushawish is a 19-year-old writer and activist from Gaza. He has successfully conveyed his voice and the stories of his people through several prestigious platforms, including Al Jazeera, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, Electronic Intifada, Prism Reports, and We Are Not Numbers. He is also an alumnus of the Access 16 program. Ahmad aspires to pursue higher education abroad and earn a scholarship at a prestigious university, where he hopes to further develop his skills and amplify the voices of his community. He joins us from Nuseirat, Gaza, hours after he completed his final high school (Leaving Cert equivalent) exams. What a fabulous young man. May he live to fulfill his dreams. Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack We Tell Our Stories Hani Mahmoud decided 23 months ago to shift from academia and to stand in front of the camera in order to tell the story of Gaza and its people. He works as the Aljazeera English correspondent in Gaza, becoming one of the most important journalists alive, sharing with the world a story that would otherwise go untold or manipulated. Tune in to learn about Hani, his work and the people of Gaza, from whom he takes his strength to continue. Tadhg Hickey on the Drone Strike on the Global Sumud Flotilla:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138604625

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nour Abo Aisha is a writer, journalist, and translator from Gaza. She writes about living under the siege, memory, displacement, and survival; from her own life and the lives of those around her in Gaza. For Nour, writing is a form of resistance against erasure and a voice that breaks through imposed silence. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, Prism Reports, Mondoweiss, and Al Jazeera Net, and she is also a member of We Are Not Numbers. She joins us from Gaza City as the Israeli military rains both bombs and paper warnings to leave now or perish. The Flotilla Drone Attack Pod with Tadhg Hickey is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138604625

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this PalCast we are joined by Imad Qudaih, who is a 22 year old visually impaired student at the Islamic University of Gaza, majoring in English translation. Another accidental genocide correspondent, he’s been working as a freelance journalist with BBC News since June 2024. He joins us from Al-Mawasi to speak of displacement and his cat, who was killed by an Israeli sniper. Tune in for more from this remarkable young man. The Global Sumud Flotilla Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138024067 The latest Reboot Republic podcast with Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-138016359 Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Sara Awad is an English literature student, writer, and storyteller based in Gaza. Passionate about capturing human experiences and social issues, Sara uses her words to shed light on stories often unheard. Her work explores themes of resilience, identity, and hope amid war circumstances. I contributed to The Intercept, Truthout, PRISM, The Electronic Intifada, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and We Are Not Numbers. She joins us from Gaza City to share her story, discuss the most recent events including the "double tap" bombing of Nasser Hospital and her hopes for the future. An absolute must listen. Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Nadera Mushtaha is a poet and writer from Gaza and a former student of Dr Refaat Alareer. She talks of losing her family home in Shujayia, her friend Malak Arafat, whose murder she discovered 7 months later because of the rolling internet blackouts in Gaza. In the background, we hear Israeli drones and tank shells as Israel continues to attack the Zaytoun and Sabra neighborhoods threatening another wave of mass expulsion. Tune in for more. Editors Note, I have cleaned the audio up so we can hear Nadera, but I also have the audio with the shells and explosions. Let me know if you want a release with the reality as well. Tadhg Hickey on Displaced in Gaza is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-136539838 Support our friend Hana Salah's family:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-injured-father-and-younger-siblings-survive-in-gaza

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack It was a great pleasure to be joined by Shahd Alnaami, who is a 21-year-old writer, poet, and translator from Gaza, Palestine. In this PalCast episode, she speaks of losing her sister Rahaf, 13, and her friend Eman 19. She tells us how two houses belonging to her family were also destroyed and how her family was displaced multiple times. She speaks of the children of Gaza and their big dreams now consist of simply having a piece of bread, while still trying to cling to their childhood. Tune in for her story. Yousef on grief:https://afsc.org/news/grief-and-being-only-survivor-your-family-gaza The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Taqwa Al-Wawi is a 19-year English literature student at the Islamic University of Gaza. She is also writer out of Gaza, who has published dozens of articles across the globe in the span of 6 months. She speaks of the importance of telling the story of the ongoing genocide, the empowerment of writing, the famine fatigue and how many people are barely surviving on water and maybe some bread. A powerful first person testimony. Tune in for full story The Christy Moore podcast is here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-135485064 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Dima Al-Madhoun is a translator in Gaza and joins us from her displacement tent in Al-Mawasi. She speaks of losing her home, moving from place to place, the heartbreaking loss of some members of her family and how she is greatly concerned that the current generation of children have now lost two years of their education. The occupation is all about brutality and destruction on every level, as she keeps repeating. Tune in for the full story. Note: We had a lot of connection issues here, so please be patient with the audio. The Daniel Ennis Against the Hate Podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134926894 Support to Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Ahmed Al-Najjar is a Palestinian journalist and academic based in Khan Younis, Southern Gaza Strip. He is reporting on the ongoing Israeli genocide and rapidly growing famine. He joins us on the PalCast to discuss the latest developments on the ground, his own heartbreaking personal loss and why those “who slaughtered with their weapons, and those who slaughtered with their silence” are equally guilty. Please listen. Irish Examiner's Colin Sheridan podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-134353764 Dignity for Palestine:https://www.patreon.com/posts/dignity-for-two-134250846