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Israel/Palestine Podcast

Israel/Palestine Podcast

Written by: by Berlin Students
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 Welcome to our Israel/Palestine Podcast, a project by graduating high school students from Berlin-Neukölln. Our district is home to Germany’s largest Palestinian diaspora and to many young Israelis. Israel and Palestine are painfully present in our district and in our schools. We’ve spoken to historians, legal scholars, trauma researchers, and educators — some of them world-leading experts — to better understand a conflict that shapes identities, divides communities, and echoes through generations. Our approach is multiperspectival. We don't aim to resolve contradictions or controversies, but to hear different perspectives. Human rights and international law are the foundation of responsible multiperspectivism. Across eight chapters and 51 episodes, we explore human realities, urgency, history, the legacies of antisemitism and racism, political and legal debates, psychological dimensions, and challenges for education. “This series, featuring truly internationally leading scholars in their fields, is, I believe, one-of-a-kind.” — Prof. Gudrun Krämer, recipient of the 2025 Historikerpreis, the highest distinction in historical scholarship in Germany “Astonishing … a mammoth undertaking that, in its breadth and depth — and above all in its multifaceted nature — seeks its equal. A treasure trove of historical knowledge. … It is precisely the diversity of perspectives that makes the podcast so valuable — far beyond the targeted education sector.” — Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Christian Meier, Middle East Correspondent Featuring: Michel Friedman — one of the most prominent German public intellectuals Alena Jabarine — best-known Palestinian journalist in Germany Gudrun Krämer (FU Berlin) — leading historian of the Middle East Michael Brenner (LMU Munich) & Derek Penslar (Harvard ) — leading scholars of Zionism Adel Manna (Van Leer Jerusalem Institute) — leading scholar of the Nakba Victor Kattan (University of Nottingham) — leading expert on the legal history of the British Mandate Meron Mendel (BS Anne Frank) — leading educational voice on Israel in Germany Eyal Benvenisti (Yale) — leading authority on the laws of occupation Omer Bartov (Brown University) — leading scholar of Holocaust and genocide studies Omri Boehm (The New School) — one of the most influential voices on Israel/Palestine in Germany Claus Kreß (University of Cologne) — leading authority in international criminal law Moshe Zimmermann (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) — leading scholar of modern Jewish history Yael Danieli — pioneer of trauma studies and victims’ rights Ken Stern — lead drafter of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism Alex de Waal — leading authority on hunger and mass violence Norman Stillman — leading scholar on Jews in the Islamic world … and many more The series begins and ends with voices whose lives were deeply affected by the violence of this conflict: Udi Goren (Bring Them Home Now!), Khalil Sayegh (The Agora Initiative), and Sima & Mai (Young Ambassadors for Peace). “One of the most exciting initiatives of the year." "I am not aware of any comparable initiative driven primarily by high school students. Multiperspectivity is a widespread buzzword that is rarely lived up to. This podcast is quite different. It will greatly enrich (not only) the German debate.” — Prof. Simon W. Fuchs, Hebrew University of Jerusalem “They should be applauded for their maturity and inner resoluteness in confronting some of the most painful legacies of our time.” — Dr. Yael Danieli, UN Senior Representative “The students did an amazing job assembling this series and organizing the individual episodes.” — Prof. Derek Penslar, Harvard University “What an inspiring achievement.” — Prof. Omri Boehm, The New School “This initiative is both extraordinary and exemplary.” — Prof. Claus Kreß, co-author of the Rome Statute; Special Adviser to the ICC; Judge ad hoc at the ICJ “A fantastic project.” — Nazih Musharbash, President, German-Palestinian SocietyKatholische Akademie in Berlin
Episodes
  • IMPRESSUM / LEGAL NOTICE

    IMPRESSUM / LEGAL NOTICE
    Dec 29 2025

    Impressum

    Anbieter / Verantwortlicher:
    Katholische Akademie in Berlin e.V.
    Gemeinnütziger Verein
    Hannoversche Str. 5
    10115 Berlin
    Deutschland

    Kontakt:
    E-Mail: information@katholische-akademie-berlin.de

    Vertretungsberechtigt:
    Joachim Hake

    Haftungsausschluss / Disclaimer:

    Inhalte
    Die Inhalte dieses Podcasts wurden mit größter Sorgfalt erstellt. Für die Richtigkeit, Vollständigkeit und Aktualität der Inhalte kann jedoch keine Haftung übernommen werden.

    Externe Links
    Dieser Podcast kann Links zu externen Webseiten Dritter enthalten, auf deren Inhalte wir keinen Einfluss haben. Deshalb übernehmen wir für diese fremden Inhalte keine Gewähr. Für die Inhalte der verlinkten Seiten ist stets der jeweilige Anbieter oder Betreiber der Seiten verantwortlich.

    Haftung für Folgen der Nutzung
    Der Podcast dient ausschließlich Bildungs- und Informationszwecken. Die Nutzung erfolgt auf eigene Verantwortung. Jegliche Haftung für Schäden materieller oder immaterieller Art, die durch die Nutzung oder Nichtnutzung der bereitgestellten Informationen entstehen, wird ausgeschlossen.

    Urheberrecht
    Alle Inhalte unterliegen dem Urheberrecht der Katholischen Akademie in Berlin e.V. oder der jeweils genannten Rechteinhaber. Vervielfältigung, Bearbeitung, Verbreitung und jede Art der Verwertung außerhalb der Grenzen des Urheberrechts bedürfen der schriftlichen Zustimmung des jeweiligen Urhebers.

    Streitschlichtung
    Die Europäische Kommission stellt eine Plattform zur Online-Streitbeilegung (OS) bereit: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
    Wir sind zur Teilnahme an einem Streitbeilegungsverfahren vor einer Verbraucherschlichtungsstelle weder verpflichtet noch bereit.

    Music:

    Be My Guest – David Fesliyan (Royaltee Free)
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    1 min
  • Ep. 51: Epilogue: Choosing Justice and Peace (Sima & Mai – Young Ambassadors for Peace / Parents Circle – Families Forum)

    Ep. 51: Epilogue: Choosing Justice and Peace (Sima & Mai – Young Ambassadors for Peace / Parents Circle – Families Forum)
    Dec 29 2025

    Guests: Sima & Mai, Young Ambassadors for Peace / Parents Circle –Families Forum

    Hosts: Alexandria, Mert & Efe

    Sima and Mai are Young Ambassadors for Peace with the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), an organization of over 800 bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families who have each lost a close relative to the conflict. Mai lost his grandfather, Haim Perry, an artist and peace activist from Kibbutz Nir Oz, abducted and killed during the attacks of October 7, as well as his uncle Daniel Darlington, who was killed at the Nova Festival. Sima's 14-year-old brother was killed by an Israeli soldier, a loss that profoundly affected her family. Despite these tragedies, both dedicate themselves to reconciliation and dialogue, promoting peace, understanding, and coexistence. Through the Young Ambassadors program, they share this message in schools and communities across Israel, Palestine, and beyond.

    In this final episode: We listen with the heart. The first and last words of this podcast belong to the people who have lost a loved one but still remain comitted to justice and peace. We begin and end the series with the human reality of the conflict, remembering that real people grieve and endure on both sides. Their stories, losses, and resilience have inspired this journey. The young olive tree on our podcast cover, growing in the desert, reminds us of the hope Sima and Mai bring to Israel and Palestine—the wounded and “magical land between the river and the sea” (Mai) they call home.

    This episode was recorded July 23, 2025.


    We dedicate our Podcast series to Sima & Mai, Udi Goren, Khalil Sayegh. To Tal’s wife Ela and their children Niv, Einav, Udi, and Lotan; to Khalil Sayegh’s mother and siblings; to Mai’s and Sima’s families; to her mother Bushra.

    We dedicate this podcast to the blessed memory of:

    Tal Chaimi,

    Lara Sayegh,

    Jeries Sayegh,

    Mahmoud,

    Haim Perry,

    Daniel Darlington.


    Efe, Mert, and Alexandria speak with Mai and Sima about their personal losses, the journey of healing, and their work fostering dialogue, understanding, and hope across deep divides.

    Disclaimer:
    Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team.

    Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 with Prof. Claus Kreß; contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Ep. 50: Challenges for Education: Side by Side – Parallel Histories of Israel/Palestine (Prof. Dr. Eyal Naveh – Tel Aviv University)

    Ep. 50: Challenges for Education: Side by Side – Parallel Histories of Israel/Palestine (Prof. Dr. Eyal Naveh – Tel Aviv University)
    Dec 29 2025

    Guest: Prof. Eyal Naveh – Tel Aviv University

    Hosts: Yusuf & Mert

    Bio: Eyal Naveh is an Israeli historian and educator specializing in history education in conflict contexts. He has taught at Kibbutzim College of Education and Tel Aviv University, where he served as Head of the Department of General History and Chair of the General and Interdisciplinary Studies Program. Naveh is co-director of the Peace Research Institute in the Middle East and has been a visiting professor at Harvard, UC Berkeley, Cornell, the University of Toronto, Venice International University, and the University of Vienna. He is best known as a co-creator of the groundbreaking history textbook Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine (2012), developed with Israeli traumatologist Prof. Dan Bar-On and Palestinian sociologist Prof. Sami Adwan. The book presents Israeli and Palestinian perspectives side by side, enabling students to engage with complex, conflicting narratives without flattening differences. It has received international recognition as a model for post-conflict history education.

    In this episode: Yusuf and Mert speak with Prof. Naveh about the creation, use, and relevance of the groundbreaking history textbook Side by Side. They discuss collaborating with Israeli and Palestinian educators, the challenges of presenting contrasting narratives, and the book’s reception in schools and academia locally and internationally. The conversation explores the role of history education in conflict regions, political polarization, and teaching empathy, critical thinking, and complex truths to new generations. Prof. Naveh reflects on divisions since October 7, the shrinking space for peace education, and lessons for educators and students in Germany.

    This episode was recorded July 22, 2025.


    LInks:

    Prof. Dr. Eyal Naveh: https://english.tau.ac.il/profile/enaveh

    Prof. Dr. Sami Adwan: https://www.torgnysegerstedt.se/en/main-article-sami-adwan/

    Prof. Dr. Dan Bar On: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Bar-On https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/allgemein/pionier-des-dialogs/

    Adwan, Sami, Dan Bar-On, and Eyal Naveh, editors. Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine. The New Press, 2012. https://thenewpress.org/books/side-by-side/?v=eb65bcceaa5f

    Peace Research Foundation in the Middle East: https://www.vispo.com/PRIME/index.htm

    Disclaimer:
    Guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast team.

    Technical legal terms are explained in Episode 36 with Prof. Claus Kreß; contested histories are addressed by Prof. Gudrun Krämer in Episode 21.
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    1 hr and 1 min
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