Ep 10. Birth of a Nation

1948. The final episode of the epic drama. With the UN voting to establish a Jewish state, Israel is born – but the new state comes under attack from its Arab neighbours. The final episode of the epic drama series.Written by Steve WatersCAST Youssef: Amir El-Masry Miriam: Shani Erez Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul The Palestinian woman: Nathalie Armin Other parts: Heather Craney, Clive Hayward and Hasan DixonOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

The epic drama series continues. 1948. Miriam and Youssef try to hold on to their ideals of peace as violence erupts following the UN vote for the partition of Palestine, and Deir Yassin comes under attack. Written by Steve WatersCAST Miriam: Shani Erez Youssef: Amir El-Masry Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Zahra: Lara Sawalha Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani The Haganath Major: Clive Hayward Other parts: Hasan Dixon, Steve Waters and members of the castOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1947. A vote is due to take place at the UN, proposing that Palestine be divided into two states, with Jerusalem held under international jurisdiction. But this does not meet with everyone’s approval. The drama continues.Written by Steve WatersCAST Youssef: Amir El-Masry Miriam: Shani Erez Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Zahra: Lara Sawalha Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul Other parts: Jessica Turner, Steve Waters and Sargon YeldaOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

Episode seven of the drama. 1946. Elected headman of Deir Yassin Youssef promises peace with their kibbutz neighbours. Meanwhile, a bomb has been placed in British headquarters - the King David Hotel.Written by Steve WatersCASTMiriam: Shani Erez Youssef: Amir El-Masry Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Harry Lister: Blake Ritson Zahra: Lara Sawalha Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin Other parts: Hasan Dixon and Clive HaywardOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1942. Thousands of European Jews attempt to flee persecution from war in unsuitable boats - but the British refuse permission for them to land in Palestine. Meanwhile, Miriam takes up the armed struggle in earnest. Episode six of the drama.Written by Steve WatersCAST Youssef: Amir El-Masry Miriam: Shani Erez Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Zahra: Lara Sawalha Harry Lister: Blake Ritson Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan DixonOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1936. Arabs declare a general strike and a dangerous armed uprising begins, while Miriam finds herself drawn to take more direct action against the British. The epic drama continues.Written by Steve WatersCAST Miriam: Shani Erez Youssef: Amir El-Masry Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Zahra: Lara Sawalha Harry Lister: Blake Ritson Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin McMasters: Neil McCaul Other parts played by Sargon Yelda, Hasan Dixon and members of the castOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1934. Youssef visits his father in prison – a visit that will change his life forever Meanwhile Miriam, with her mentor Rabbi Judah Magnes, is working for a ‘one nation, two states’ solution. Episode 4 of the drama.Written by Steve WatersCAST Youssef: Amir El-Masry Miriam: Shani Erez Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr Zahra: Lara Sawalha Harry Lister: Blake Ritson The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul Other parts: Jessica Turner and Hasan DixonOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1929. The drama series continues. Tensions boil in Jerusalem. Arabs and Jews feel they are being denied access to holy sites. Both take to the streets in protest - and the ruling British seem powerless to prevent blood being spilt in the holy city.Written by Steve WatersCAST Miriam: Shani Erez Youssef: Amir El-Masry Young Miriam: Ava Merson-O’Brien Young Youssef: Jo Ben Ayed Sara: Jessica Turner Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr Zahra: Lara Sawalha Harry Lister: Blake Ritson Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo Major Dennis: Clive Hayward Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul The Rabbi: Elliot Levey Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan DixonOriginal music: Glenn Sharp Sound design: Caleb Knightley Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service

1925. Miriam and her mother move into a new kibbutz close to Jerusalem and find Yehoshua, also a Jewish refugee from Europe. Miriam and Youssef meet - two young people from across the divide. But Yehoshua distrusts the Arabs and threatens Youssef, his father and his uncle. Harry finds Youssef work. Episode two of the drama. Written by Steve Waters.CAST Youssef: Amir El-Masry Miriam: Shani Erez Young Miriam: Ava Merson-O’Brien Young Youssef: Jo Ben Ayed Sara: Jessica Turner Yehoshua: Philip Arditti Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr Umm Khalid: Sirine Saba Harry Lister: Blake Ritson Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo Major Dennis: Clive Hayward Other parts: Heather Craney and Neil McCaul Original music: Glenn Sharp Sound designer: Caleb Knightley This episode was updated on 11 May 2020.

1917. The British enter Palestine, after supporting a homeland for the Jewish people there. Young Youssef Bannourah and his family befriend Harry Lister, a newly arrived British civil servant. He takes up residence in their village of Deir Yassin. Meanwhile, young Miriam and her mother Sara flee Jewish persecution in Poland, and make their way by sea to Palestine. Episode one of a 10-part drama about the founding of Israel. Written by Steve Waters CAST Miriam ….. Shani Erez Youssef ….. Amir El-Masry Young Miriam ….. Ava Merson-O’Brien Young Youssef ….. Rafi Essex Young Zahra ….. Nikhita Essex Harry Lister ….. Blake Ritson Sara ….. Jessica Turner Abu Khalid ….. Rami Nasr Umm Khalid ….. Sirine Saba Mahmoud ….. Daniel Rabin Other parts ….. Neil McCaul, Clive Hayward and Hasan Dixon Original music ….. Glenn Sharp Sound Design …. Caleb Knightley This episode was updated on 11 May 2020.