Olive Branch
Olive Branch interviews activists from Israel and Palestine who are working to promote sustainable and equitable peace and put an end to Israel's occupation of Palestinians
About the show
Hello everyone, my name is Dr. Anwar Mhajne. I am an Assistant professor of Political Science at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. I created Olive Branch due to my frustration with the never-ending conflict affecting my family and friends in Israel and Palestine. I am hoping that this podcast will help restore our hope in achieving sustainable and equitable peace. Therefore, Olive Branch interviews activists with ties to Israel and Palestine who use non-violent means to promote peace and end the Israeli occupation of the Palestine Territories.
Join me as I talk with activists dedicated to their work, even though it sometimes alienates them from their families and communities. In these conversations, they think through alternatives to violence and how these concepts might disrupt cycles of bloodshed. Olive Branch provides ideas and tools for changing Israeli and Palestinian social attitudes, political ideologies, and policies.
Image Credit: Stef Murawsky
The music is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Olive Branch on social media
Episodes
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Episode 7: Osama Elawat
October 22nd, 2021 | 45 mins 10 secs
In this episode, I talk to Osama Elawat about his journey from spending time in Israeli prisons to becoming a peace activist. In the conversation, Osama highlights the importance of personal stories, meeting the other, and distinguishing between oppressive institutions and people for achieving justice for all. He also highlights the importance of focusing on the power of love and forgiveness than the love of power.
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Episode 6: Kochav Shachar
October 8th, 2021 | 46 mins 15 secs
In this episode, we talk about how even though the Occupation is physically close to many Israelis, it is mentally far. We discuss the power of language as a tool for both Occupation and emancipation, settler-colonialism, the importance of education, the intersectionality of oppression, apartheid, and justice activism vs. peace activism. We also highlight how you can't be truly free if your freedom is based on the oppression of others.
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Episode 5: Ron Skolnik
September 24th, 2021 | 49 mins 2 secs
activism, israel, justice, palestine, peace
In the episode with Ron Skolnik, we talk about being an accidental activist, just compromises, the importance of history, narcissism, and political change. We also discuss Zionism in the context of peace activism.
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Episode 4: Nancy Stern
September 10th, 2021 | 28 mins 46 secs
In this conversation with Nancy Stern, we discuss the importance of generational trauma, letting go of myths, and our responsibility as scholars to create a democratic, just, and peaceful society.
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Episode 3: Michal Fux
August 27th, 2021 | 47 mins 58 secs
In this episode, I interview Michal Fux. In the episode, we talk about how her experiences in Northern Ireland and South Africa opened her eyes to her own biases and the oppressive structures she was made to believe are there to protect her.
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Episode 2: Aziz Abu Sarah
August 13th, 2021 | 38 mins 1 sec
In the first episode of Olive Branch, I interview Aziz Abu Sarah about the importance of building bridges while pursuing justice.
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Episode 1: Trailer
August 10th, 2021 | 1 min 18 secs
politics
I am happy to introduce my new podcast, where I interview peace and justice activists with ties to Israel and Palestine. These activists are passionately working on ending Israel’s violence against the Palestinians.