#29 - Why is US Media so Pro-Israel? ft. Laura Albast

Palestinian journalist and media analyst Laura Albast joins us for this episode of the Let's Talk Palestine Podcast to unpack how pro-Israel bias in US newsrooms arises. Drawing on her recent investigation, Laura reveals personal interests among newsroom leadership, exposes the aggressive lobbying efforts by little-known Zionist media lobby groups, as well as explaining the inaccuracies and falsehoods circulated on October 7th that ultimately manufactured consent for genocide. Laura breaks down many of the factors that have compromised US media from reporting the truth on Palestine. This episode is available on all podcast platforms, boycott Spotify. Watch the full video episode on YouTube @letstalkpalestine.

Tareq Baconi, board president at Palestinian think tank Al-Shabaka, joins us on this episode of the Let’s Talk Palestine Podcast to explore the central role of displacement in shaping Palestinian identity. Amid the brutality of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Tareq reflects on how this moment is transforming Palestinians not only in Gaza but across the world, as well as what this genocide will mean for those who have been complicit.Watch this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfn7e2gCp0E

While global attention has focused on the Gaza genocide, the Israeli regime has escalated its aggression across the West Bank — through intensified settler attacks and accelerating land theft.In this episode, we speak to Mohammad Hureini, a local activist from Masafer Yatta, whose community faces regular settler violence and legal displacement. From how these settler attacks unfold on the ground, to how they are a vital piece of the Israeli government's policy of goal of annexing the West Bank, Mohammad walks us through the realities that much of Western media continues to ignore.*This interview was conducted a few days before the shocking murder of local activist Awdeh Hathaleen. Let's Talk Palestine extends its condolences and solidarity to Awdeh's family and local community.

Following the release of her groundbreaking report “From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide”, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, joins us on the Let’s Talk Palestine Podcast to unpack its findings.In this episode we explore how international corporate entities have deepened their complicity in Israeli crimes, the extent to which Israel relies on these companies to carry out its genocide, and whether international law offers a comprehensive pathway to accountability and ultimately, justice.This episode is available on YouTube with video for the first time ever!

With the term ‘terrorism’ so frequently invoked in Western media coverage of Palestine, today’s episode of the Let’s Talk Palestine Podcast seeks to unpack and critically examine this loaded label.Conor Gearty KC, a professor of human rights law at LSE and a specialist in anti-terrorism legislation, traces the term’s roots to British-colonial Ireland, explores how Israel later adapted and popularized it to justify its oppression of Palestinians, and reflects on how its use exploded globally following 9/11—fueling the U.S.-led ‘War on Terror’ and the illegal invasion of Iraq.

On June 13th, the Israeli Occupation Forces launched Operation Rising Lion, a massive military escalation targeting over 100 sites in Iran. Justified under the familiar yet questionable guise of “self-defense,” Israel claimed that failing to strike Iran would endanger the very existence of the Zionist entity.In this emergency episode of the Let’s Talk Palestine Podcast, we unpack the critical context behind the latest Israeli act of aggression. We trace the collapsing nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Israel’s long-standing obsession with regime change in Iran, and the broader geopolitical motives driving this moment.As the episode unfolds, we begin to analyse who stands to benefit, the regional consequences, and what this could mean for the future of both Iran and Israel. Crucially, we tie it all back to the ongoing genocide in Gaza—because as long as Israel insists on the domination and submission of its neighbors, the entire region remains at risk.

In early April, the proscribed Palestinian resistance movement Hamas instructed UK-based lawyers to submit an application to the UK government seeking the removal of its political wing from the UK's list of designated terrorist organisations. One of the lawyers involved in the case, Franck Magennis, joins us in this episode of the Let's Talk Palestine Podcast to break down the legal complexities for listeners unfamiliar with the workings of the legal system.From the practical implications of the proscription on the ground in Gaza, to the legal arguments underpinning the application and the broader aims of the case, Mr Magennis also sheds light on the colonial-era legislation that enabled such designations in the first place. This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how legal systems intersect with foreign policy, resistance movements, and the legacies of empire.

From repeated Israeli ceasefire violations, to Trump's 'Gaza Riviera' plan, the future of Gaza and the rest of Palestine appears to hang in the balance. In this episode, we take a step back to go through multiple factors individually, piecing them together to paint a full picture of what the future holds for Palestinians. Palestinian analyst Rami Khouri joins us to give his insights for this episode of the Let's Talk Palestine Podcast.

2024 will be remembered as one of the darkest years in human history for the genocide in Gaza. As the new year arrives, and reports of a ceasefire agreement being all but agreed, it is time to reflect on the past year to be able to understand and possibly predict what the near future in 2025 will bring for Palestine. After popular demand, we welcome back Dr. Ramzy Baroud for this episode of the Let's Talk Palestine Podcast.

In this monthly recap, we take you through the two key moments of November '24. Firstly, we take a look at the details of the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, specifically looking to see whether it will hold, and if so, who does that make the winner of this war? Secondly, we briefly touch on the ICC's decision to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. What does this mean for them? Will all countries abide by the Rome Statute? Listen to find out more.