1249. The Last Lefty Standing

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Helena Cobban of Just World Educational and Tony Groves of the Tortoise Shack send their deep condolences to the inspiring leader of our PalCast project, Dr. Yousef Aljamal, on the death of his father within the past few hours, in Gaza, Palestine. We are heartbroken for our dear friend, Yousef and his family. After Yousef told us of his sad news, and at his urging, we decided to proceed with today’s episode. Partly because there have been some very noteworthy developments in recent days regarding the genocide in Gaza, including the application the ICC Prosecutor says he has made for arrest warrants of Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. And also because we really wanted to hear from our special guest, Aseel Mousa, an experienced Palestinian journalist who reported from Gaza for the past few years and through the first five months of the genocide, prior to being evacuated to Cairo in March. Aseel talked to us about the challenges of her work in Gaza prior to evacuation, the challenges of the life she now faces in Egypt, and her hopes for the future. Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103886136 Yousef has dedicated this piece to his father:https://inthesetimes.com/article/education-gaza-palestine-students-israel-teachers-refaat-debt-been-decimated-but-the-spirit-of-refaat-alareer-will-prevail

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Rejoining us from Egypt on the podcast is journalist Mahmoud Mushtaha, who himself only recently was evacuated through the now closed Rafah crossing. He talks about the current situation, the unfolding and worsening humanitarian crisis and those few minutes of joy, when he, his friends and family had when they thought a ceasefire had been agreed. You'll also hear a small part of Joe Biden's speech he gave on the very day that Israel started the Rafah invasion that he "warned" them not to. They want you to accept their preposterous and ignore what is obvious. The Poll Analysis Podcast with irishelectionprojections.com is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-104371184

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Asmaa AbuMezied is a Palestinian agricultural expert from Gaza. Now based in New York, with family in Gaza, she joins PalCast’s co-hosts Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves to talk about agriculture in Gaza and the impact of genocidal and colonial practices on it. Coming from a family that cultivated the land for many generations, Asmaa shares personal stories about what the land means to her, noting that understand this relationship that Palestinians have is essential for rebuilding Gaza and the agricultural sector there. Listen to learn more about agriculture in Gaza! The latest report from Mahmoud Mushtaha is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103864975 Donate to Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103886136

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack In this third part of our ongoing coverage of RTE and their rogue employment processes Martin is joined by Matt McGranaghan and former RTE News Presenter, Angie Mezzetti, to discuss the events at the Oireachtas Media Committee. You'll also hear, via Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin, some voices who neither OPLA, nor the Unions nor RTE wanted to be heard. Don't mind the crap on the future of Public Service Broadcasting on Upfront the other evening. You cannot rebuild a National Broadcaster on the bodies of those who you are still trying to bury. RTE Pt4 is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103604048 Please support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103886136

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack Joining us on this Reboot Republic podcast, is award winning Guardian political commentator and the host of their Politics Weekly Podcast, John Harris. We discuss the fallout from the UK local elections, the imminent end of this Conservative government, the prospects for a better and fairer deal from a Labour government and the hope that is not seen in the headlines, but that John sees in the communities that he visits and the people who he talks with. More abut Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/were-back-in-all-103886136 Support John and James as they walk Hadrian's Wall for the Sound Lab:https://www.gofundme.com/f/james-harriss-hadrians-wall-walk

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack The US Student Demos and Hope for the Hopeless We went back to talk with (now former) writer with the Intercept and the launching soon www.tinyrevolution.substack.com, Jon Schwarz, about the ongoing slow-moving fall of the American empire. Sort of. We discuss the Student Demonstrations, the Tik Tok wars, the US (neo)liberal political alternatives, what is happening with immigration and lots more. As always, Jon puts everything in a stark yet humorous way. Laughing while the ship goes down? The Dignity for Palestine Donation details are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/were-back-in-all-103886136

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack (Now Published in Full as per requests) Since the broadcast of the TV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, we have all been disgusted by the treatment of Post Masters by the bullyboy corporation, Post Office UK. It was truly shocking and upsetting to see. But what if we were to tell you that your local Post Master was being treated much worse by An Post all across Ireland? Don't believe us? We didn't want to believe it either. But here are the explosive facts. Support Dignity for Palestine here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/103886136

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 [email protected] 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 It all kicked off in Spanish politics (again), but it appears that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has outmaneuvered the opposition and is playing the hand he dealt in ways that will likely see his hold on the highest office tighten. A lot can happen in a week. Rejoining us to talk about the Last Lefty Standing is Madrid-based journalist, Eoghan Gilmartin. The revolution won't be beaten by Lawfare... The Podcast from the Trinity Student Encampment Protests is out here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-103611238 The Return of Zak Hania posts are here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/just-few-of-zaks-103618856

Please join us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack When our friend and previous guest, Paediatrician Dr Liqa Ur Rehman posted online about the plight of a Psych Doctor, who has had his family reunification visa rejected and is now waiting over 3 years to see his wife and child, we were appalled, but not surprised. So joining us alongside Dr Ur Rehman, on this very important podcast, are three doctors who wanted to share their own experiences of the Irish immigration system. Dr X, a Registrar in Limerick, has not seen her family in over two years and has again been denied a visa to bring them here, she is now leaving Ireland and we are losing her and colleagues like her because of our unfair and all too often unworkable immigration system. Something has to change. The latest from Spain and the Lawfare Scandal is out now here: