UNAPOLOGETIC is a show that unapologetically looks at the life, times and views of some unapologetic and not so unapologetic humans. Hosted by Ashfaaq Carim
Episode 27: This is why Israel as an ethno-nationalist state, won’t last beyond the 2030s | Iyad el-Baghdadi | UNAPOLOGETIC (Full)
Author, thinker and activist Iyad el-Baghdadi joins us on this episode of UNAPOLOGETIC to break down the impact of Israel’s war in Gaza and its wider consequences for the region.We explore Baghdadi’s hypothesis on whether Israel can survive as a Jewish supremacist state beyond the 2030s and whether a Palestinian state is still viable. We also discuss what the Arab response to Trump’s Gaza proposal reveals about regional politics. How has Israel’s genocide reshaped alliances, including Saudi-Iran relations, Egypt’s role and the UAE’s stance? What kind of normalisation is possible now, and how does it differ from the pre-Gaza war landscape?Baghdadi also reflects on his own exile from the UAE, the fragility of Arab regimes, and Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for Saudi Arabia. Is the crown prince building a new regional order, and what is the opportunity cost of his ambition?Baghdadi has also co-authored of The Middle East Crisis Factory and is the founder of the Kawaakibi FoundationUNAPOLOGETIC is Hosted by Ashfaaq Carim
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Episode 26: How has Israel's war in Gaza weakened Sisi's rule? | Hossam el-Hamalawy | UNAPOLOGETIC
Egyptian activist and blogger Hossam el-Hamalawy joins us on this episode of UNAPOLOGETIC to speak about how Egypt has changed under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and how Israel’s war and genocide in Gaza has affected his rule.In this extended interview el-Hamalawy recalls the context of the revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak’s rule, why Mohamed Morsi lost power and Sisi’s coup. We explore how suppression and economic mismanagement under Sisi have weakened the Egyptian state. When Israel’s war on Gaza broke out, an injection of loans into Egypt kept the economy afloat, but 16 months later that now means Egypt’s national debt is much higher. That, coupled with uneasiness over what may still happen to the people in Gaza and Sisi’s conduct during the war and his 11-year suppression of his people, has left him vulnerableUNAPOLOGETIC is hosted by Ashfaaq Carim
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Episode 25: Palestinians defiantly would “die here and not leave”| Mustafa Barghouti | UNAPOLOGETIC
In this extended interview, Mustafa Barghouti, general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, reacts to the statements and plans and remarks of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made it clear that his intention is for the U.S to “have” Gaza and to clear out the Palestinians so that it can be rebuilt.Barghouti also speaks about how Israel has stepped up attacks on the West Bank, and how ethnic cleansing there has accelerated. He draws on the history of the conflict to show how Israel has always intended to ethnically cleanse historical Palestine completely. Despite this, Mustafa Barghouti remains defiant and says that Palestinians would rather “die”, than be forced to leave their homelands, again.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:55 reaction to Trump and King Abdullah presser11:45 What do you know of the Arab response?18:30 Gaza’s defiance27:00 West Bank and prisoners33:45 How much legitimacy has the PA lost?38:15 Palestinian liberation connected to greater Arab liberation42:00 Is there an ally in the new Syria?45:30 Do you fear for your own life, final thoughts
In an extended interview, Norman Finkelstein, the political analyst and author who has studied Palestine and Israel for decades, speaks to us about the fate facing Palestinians.Finkelstein gives his frank views on how Israel, along with the Trump administration, will continue and accelerate its plan to ethnically cleanse Palestinians as much as they can in the area between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea.Over the course of the discussion, Finkelstein speaks about how the current ceasefire is just a temporary respite. We discuss the feasibility of Donald Trump and BenjaminNetenyahu’s idea to transfer the people of Gaza elsewhere, how Jordan and Egypt will react to that, what it means for broader Israeli and Arab normalisation, international law and Israel’s record of trying to evade international justice, the tenuous position of the current president of the International Court of Justice, Julia Sebutinde. We also take in a short history of Palestinian resistance and Hamas’ historical efforts at diplomacy. And we speak about Finkelstein’s reflections over the last year on the devastation that Israel’s genocide has wreaked, his family and why he has dedicated so much of his time to studying and advocating for justice.Chapters:00:00 Intro02:57 Ceasefire and potential transfer13:05 How feasible is a forced exodus31:04 Scale of destruction and annexation of the West Bank47:04 What about Egypt and Jordan53:06 Israel and the long arc of history01:05:00 Israel’s dark arts with international justice01:24:00 Julia Sebutinde compromised01:42:00 Does international law still matter?01:53:00 A short history of Palestinian resistance02:08:00 Finkelstein’s family and interest in Palestine02:16:30 Is this the lowest point for the Palestinian struggle?
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Episode 23 - How large parts of Israeli society have come to justify war crimes | Anat Matar | UNAPOLOGETIC
Anat Matar is an Israeli academic and philosopher who is leading an open call from Israelis to have sanctions imposed on their own country.Since Israel’s genocide in Gaza began after the events of 7 October, Matar and a few other Israelis have seen the social space around them get narrower and narrower, as mainstream Israeli society, educators, media institutions and leaders have stood behind Israel’s war. As we reflect in our conversation, some parts of Israeli society may differ on the tactics being used, but the vast majority stand behind the army's actions on the whole and defend or deny their country’s obvious and very visible atrocities.This episode was recorded on 11 November 2024.00:00 Intro05:25 Macabe Tel Aviv slogans and Israeli media08:30 How Israeli society justifies war crimes11:30 What are anti-government protests in Israel all about?16:20 The open letter to sanction Israel20:20 What was the societal discourse like 18 months ago24:00 Academic and social media freedoms in Israel33:00 Situation for Palestinians who are Israeli citizens37:40 What has happened to the media in Israel - Haaretz41:51 Is Israel safe for you?45:00 Anat’s early life and childhood48:00 Oslo accords’ shortcomings and settlers53:45 Endgame for Gantz, Lieberman and Lapid58:30 Israel’s expansionist nature01:03:30 Zionism’s future and normalisation01:09:40 Will the call for sanctions work?01:14:20 What will the legacy of the genocide be in Israel
UNAPOLOGETIC is a show that unapologetically looks at the life, times and views of some unapologetic and not so unapologetic humans. Hosted by Ashfaaq Carim
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