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Titre
Date
Durée
Women of Jerusalem
07 Mar 2026
00:41:26
For International Women's Day, today on the 8th of March, I prepared a tour in the old city of Jerusalem, that takes you through the history of Jerusalem with women as the main characters!
Unfortunately the old city is closed to visitors due to the war with Iran and the tour is canceled. I decided to record some of the stories of these important historical women and share this episode with you on International Women's Day.
This virtual guided journey through Jerusalem highlights the lives of several women whose stories shaped the city’s faith, art, politics, and daily life. From Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary to Melisende, Rabia al Adawiya, Khassaki Hürrem Sultan, Helena, Eudocia, and Hind al‑Husseini, we trace witness, rule, charity, and education across centuries.
If you enjoyed it and if you want to support me, because in these times of war, as a tour guide, we don't have any income, then I would highly appreciate if you went to my Ko-fi page where you can buy me a coffee.
My name is Kristel, I studied history and tour guiding in the Netherlands and I have a tour guide license from the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism. During the Covid pandemic I created the podcast Stories from Palestine. I stopped uploading new episodes when things opened up and I could actually go out there and do tour guiding. But now, due to the current war situation, I have decided to go back to podcasting, focusing on stories from Jerusalem.
After almost a year of radio silence, I am back to producing new episodes! Last year was very intense for everyone and I was unable to continue the podcast. In this first introduction to the new season, I am trying to explain what happened. I can not go into the details but hopefully you will accept my apologies for disappearing just like that.
I am also back on social media and you can find me and the Ko-fi page for donations towards producing the podcast through this link: https://linktr.ee/storiesfrompalestine
Beit Safafa was a Palestinian town between Jersualem and Bethlehem, before it was split into two halves in 1948 when the State of Israel was created. The Western half of the village, with the important Jaffa-Jerusalem railway, became part of Israel and the Eastern half was under Jordanian control. This situation remained so until Israel military occupied the Westbank of the Jordan River in 1967 and Beit Safafa was reunited. But the 19 years of physical separation between the people, left its mark until today.
Beit Safafa has ancient history and several important archeological sites.
In this guided tour, we discover the town with Ahmad Nabeel. He was suggested to me by Musa Othman, the son of the late historian Mustafa Othman, who wrote a book about the history of Beit Safafa.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Sufism is a more mystical way of approach of the Islamic faith. Sufi scholars have defined it as the way to reach the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God.
In this podcast episode I speak with Izzeldin Bukhari who stems from a family of important Sufi sheikhs from the Naqshabandi tradition. The family originates from Uzbekistan, but they have been living in the old city of Jerusalem for about four hundred years.
If you want to get in touch with Izzeldin Bukhari you can email him at thesacredcuisine@gmail.com
This episode contains music fragments by Zevk Ensemble that consists of husband and wife Benyamin and Rabia. Zevk is a Turkish word conveying spiritual taste and joy coming from an uplifted heart.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
On a sunny day in January 2021 we visit the Palestine Museum of Natural History in Bethlehem. We speak to the founder Mazin Qumsieh and his wife Jessie Chang and we take a tour around the ethnography museum and the garden. This is where the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity is teaching children AND adults about the rich flora and fauna of Palestine.
Palestine is located between Europe, Asia and Africa with an area of 27000 km2 in the western part of the Fertile Crescent where humans first developed agriculture. The unique geography and geology gave Palestine more biological diversity than some countries ten times its size.
The museum has a section with fossils and stuffed animals. There are also several animals that are being rehabilitated before they are released back into the wild. The museum demonstrates methods for cultivation, composting, recycling and upcycling.
Listen to this episode to learn more about Palestine's biodiversity and the Natural Museum of History and visit the website to read more and see the photos of the visit!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
From the REAL Bethlehem, in Palestine, a SPECIAL Christmas episode. We follow the road that Joseph and Mary must have taken on their way to the town and we talk to Christian and Muslim Palestinians about their understanding of the Christmas story and how they celebrate Christmas in the 'little town of Bethlehem.' They explain us about their THREE Christmas celebrations, that Jesus was NOT born in a stable and why they play BAGPIPES on the Christmas day.
For this special Christmas episode you can do a special Christmas gift donation that would be highly appreciated!
This was the last episode of season 1. I will be back with season 2 mid January. Until then, enjoy all the episodes you haven't heard yet! And MERRY CHRISTMAS, despite the lock downs.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
This is the third and last episode of the Jericho trilogy that includes episodes 17 and 14. In this last part of the tour we drive through the Jordan Valley and learn why the Westbank is called the Westbank while it is the eastern part of Palestine! We visit the baptismal site on the Jordan river, learn more about the Dead Sea and we hear from tour guide Kamal Mukarkar about the Essenes community that lived in Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
For the SPECIAL CHRISTMAS from BETHLEHEM podcast episode on 21 December you can do a donation on the above mentioned ko-fi platform and follow the instructions. Click here to go directly to the right place: DONATE for the CHRISTMAS PODCAST
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The oldest city in the world, the lowest point on earth, the longest cable car under sea level, remains of the most beautiful Umayyad desert palace in the region, a monastery hanging from the Mount of Temptation, swimming pools, date palm trees, the sycamore tree of Zaccheus and the water spring of Elisha. This and more, narrated by Kristel, student at the Bethlehem Bible College tour guide program. This episode is a continuation of episode 14, the road trip from Bethlehem to Jericho with visit to the Samaritan Inn mosaic museum and Nabi Musa.
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
For the SPECIAL CHRISTMAS from BETHLEHEM podcast episode on 21 December you can do a donation on the above mentioned ko-fi platform and follow the instructions. Click here to go directly to the right place: DONATE for the CHRISTMAS PODCAST
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The music in this episode is by Zaid Hilal (find him on Youtube and Soundcloud)
Rana Hijawi has a passion for wildlife in Palestine. She is a biology graduate from Birzeit University. She started an Instagram page where she posts photos of birds in Palestine. Palestine is on the crossing of three continents and famous for its bird migration route. About 500 million migrating birds fly over Palestine yearly. Despite its small size Palestine has very diverse landscapes. The coastal plain in the West, the mountain ridge in the center and the dessert and Jordan valley rift to the East. The diversity in ecosystems makes Palestine an interesting place for a large variety of flora and fauna.
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The music in this episode is by Zaid Hilal (find him on Youtube and Soundcloud)
My husband and I spent a weekend in Nazareth and had a wonderful time. I interviewed the owners of Al Hakim family guesthouse. The father is a tour guide. Several women revived the old city of Nazareth after it had become a ghost town. I spoke to Amani, the owner of Amani Cafe about what happened in the old city and about the new vibe. Walking around the old town I visited two art galleries and spoke to the female artists about their work and their life in Nazareth.
The main historical sites in Nazareth are the churches related to the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary to announce her that she will be pregnant. The different Christian denominations have different sites. The Roman Catholic Church of the Annunciation was built on a location that was venerated since Byzantine time but the current church is from the 20th Century. The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Gabriel is much smaller and closer to Mary's well, which according to the Eastern churches is the place of the annunciation.
For a stay in the old city of Nazareth we can highly recommend Al Hakim guesthouse https://www.alhakim.co.il/
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The music in this episode is by Zaid Hilal (find him on Youtube and Soundcloud)
A guided tour from Bethlehem towards Jericho with a visit to the Good Samaritan Inn and Maqam Nabi Musa. An episode with history, stories from the 'holy land' and the reality of life in Palestine today.
I study the tour guide program at the Bethlehem Bible College. As part of our studies we make excursions to the historical sites. Our tour guide is a Christian Palestinian called Kamal Mukarkar. In this podcast I will take you on a road trip and share with you what I learned. Unfortunately the audio we recorded of Kamal was not of good quality, except for the visit to Maqam Nabi Musa, so keep listening, he comes in around 23 minutes into the podcast.
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The music in this episode is by Zaid Hilal and by Nizar Rohana. You can find both musicians on Soundcloud.
What is dabke dance, how did this traditional Palestinian dance came into existence and what role does it play in the Palestinian society? I talk to Sharaf DarZaid, a dancer, choreographer and arts manager.
He is also the choreographer of the new Palestinian Jerusalema dance challenge video that was published a week ago on Monday 2 November. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbuJ61WBdpo
The Jerusalema dance challenge went viral on social media with the hit song 'Jerusalema' by Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode from South Africa. Many people from all over the world shared dance videos on social media.
130 Palestinian dabke dancers from Jerusalem, Gaza, Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jenin cooperated with the Popular Art Center to produce this dance video that highlights their love for Jerusalem, the city that most of them are denied access to due to the Israeli military checkpoints and the separation barriers.
Sharaf is known for developing the “Afrodabke” style, a fusion of traditional African dance moves (Cameroonian) with Palestinian folkloric dance (Dabke)
If you appreciate the podcast I would be very happy if you wanted to contribute and buy me a coffee (or a falafel) on the Ko-fi platform page: https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Civil Society for Dignity in Palestine part 3 : Media training for Palestinian youth
18 Sep 2023
00:30:59
This is the third and last part of a trilogy that I made for Pax Palestine Podcast about the 'Civil Society for Dignity' project, a project by MEND, PCR, PCPD and PAX for Peace, supported by the European Union. This project aims to bridge the gap between the Palestinian civil society and the local governments.
In this last episode Anwaar, who works for MEND and is the media and outreach coordinator for this project and journalist Hayat Hamdan tell us more about an important part of the Civil Society for Dignity project: the media training. This training helps young Palestinians to brainstorm about and to vocalize what they would like to change in their societies and it teaches them the skills and tools to create media content that can be used to communicate their wishes for change. This is an important skill that can be used in civil society participation on the political level.
Partners in this joined project are:
MEND stands for Middle East Non Violence and Democracy. MEND promotes active nonviolence and encourages alternatives to violence among youth and adults throughout Palestine. MEND employs innovative methods, especially with the media, and is widely respected for working with authenticity, professionalism and courage.
PCR is the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between people. PCR works to bridge the gap between Palestinians and peoples from all around the world, informing the public about the reality in Palestine, and empowering the community through nonviolent direct action.
PCPD is the Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy. They were established to promote a just peace based on the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of 1988 and relevant United Nations Resolutions towards a two state solution, in which democracy and social justice are guaranteed.
PAX for Peace is based in the Netherlands and works together with committed citizens and partners to protect civilians against acts of war, to end armed violence, and to build a just peace. In Palestine PAX supports local partners in building resilient communities, promoting human security and equality in the political, cultural and social domain, and in fighting the injustices resulting from the protracted occupation.
If you want to know more about the work of Pax for Peace you can visit their website https://paxforpeace.nl
The olive harvest is still going on in Palestine, until mid November. Last week I took you on the fields to experience the harvest. This week we learn from Maissoun Sharkawi about the history of the olive tree and the importance for the Palestinians as part of their cultural heritage and economy. Maissoun is a researcher and lecturer. She holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Lorraine- Nancy. For the Masar Ibrahim walking path from north to south of Palestine she developed a trail that passes by old olive groves, oil presses and olive oil soap factories. If you are interested to read the report (which I can recommend!) you can find it here: https://www.myheritage.ps/researches/522.html
At the end of the episode I mention the Star Bazaar online gift shop of the Bethlehem Bible College where I study for the tour guide diploma. You can find beautiful hand made gifts from local artisans on https://starbazaar.bethbc.edu/
The donations for this week's podcast episode on https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine will be donated to students of the tour guide program who have financial difficult situation due to the Covid19 pandemic.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Join me on the field for a day of olive picking. An annual event that takes place from mid October until mid November. The olives are harvested manually, mostly with family members and friends, and the olive oil is for home use, sold at the local market and what remains is exported. We went out with some friends to help Daoud on the land of his grandfather. You can hear the typical sounds of the olive harvest, the olives dropping on the tarps, the buckets being emptied in the bags, the pruning, the lunch and the olive press. And of course, as usual, at the end of the episode, you can learn some Arabic words from my children. This time of course related to the olive harvest!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
De olijfoogst in Palestina (special episode in Dutch)
26 Oct 2020
00:35:52
This is a special episode about the olive harvest in Palestine in the Dutch language. For the English version go to episode 10
Op verzoek van Stichting Plant een Olijfboom heb ik een speciale Nederlandstalige episode gemaakt over de olijfoogst in Palestina. Sinds 2016 heb ik geen enkel jaar de olijfoogst periode in Palestina gemist. Het is mijn favoriete tijd van het jaar. Families en vrienden gaan met elkaar het veld in om de oogst binnen te halen. De olijfolie productie is van groot belang voor de Palestijnse economie en voor eigen gebruik. Veel boeren worden door de huidige politieke situatie helaas negatief getroffen. De Stichting Plant een Olijfboom bied op verschillende manieren hulp aan de Palestijnse boeren. Je kunt meer over hun werk lezen op www.planteenolijfboom.nl Daar kun je ook een olijfboom sponsoren en meer lezen over mogelijkheden om naar Palestina te reizen en mee te helpen met de olijfoogst of aanplanten van olijfbomen.
Je kunt deze podcast ook in het Engels beluisteren. Elke week is er een nieuwe episode met verhalen en interviews uit Palestina. Voor meer informatie, aanmelden voor de wekelijkse herinnerings email of het steunen van de podcast met een donatie, klik hier en ga naar de website.
Every day my husband and I cross the military checkpoint to drive our children to school in Beit Jalla and to go to our Cafe and Bar in Bethlehem. This time I am taking you with me on the ride for a virtual tour from Beit Safafa to Beit Jalla. We pass through the village, get on the route 60 into the Westbank and pass a settlement, the wall, a checkpoint and we have to make a detour because there is no exit to the Palestinian town. Yalla, jump in the car and explore with me the reality of living between the green line and the wall.
At the end of the episode you can learn, as usual, a few Arabic words from my children Louisa and Hadi.
There is one short piece of music on the oud just before the Arabic lesson which is from my all time favorite piece called "Emm el Zeinat" by Nizar Rohana https://soundcloud.com/nizarrohana
If you want to see the maps of the route, some photos, read a summary of the story and get some links to learn more, then just go to the website https://www.storiesfrompalestine.info
And if you want to support the podcast then I'd be super grateful with a donation towards creating more interesting content on https://ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Palestinian musicians and their instruments: ud, ney and qanun
12 Oct 2020
00:49:43
During a visit to Aref Sayed, instrument maker, in his workshop in Beit Sahour, I meet ud player Canaan Ghoul who is a professional musician. We talk about Palestinian music instruments, Palestinian music and a new invention that Aref did for the qanun. Canaan improvises on the ud. I also talk to Faris Ishaq about his instrument, the ney, an ancient flute, and with Shafeeq Alsadi about the qanun. And of course they play their instruments.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. All links can be found on the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Jerusalem in English, Al Quds in Arabic, Yerushalaim in Hebrew. The city that is holy to all three monotheistic religions has different names. During its long history it has had many more names. The earliest written accounts date back to the Middle Bronze age when Egyptians wrote the name Rusalim on pottery that they used to smash during a ritual to curse an enemy city. The city has been captured and recaptured by different armies 44 times. There are at least eleven different names found in historical records. Each name gives insight in the history of this 'holy' city.
Thanks to the professors at the Bethlehem Bible College for the information.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Interview with Palestinian American comedian Amer Zahr
28 Sep 2020
00:40:53
This week's episode is an interview with Amer Zahr, a Palestinian-American comedian, activist, speaker, writer and academic. Amer talks and jokes about Palestine, about cultural differences, about American politics and in this interview he calls me out for not giving my children enough chocolate!!!
Amer uses humor as a tool to educate people on Palestine. He sees comedy as a way of protest, as one of many forms of art that Palestinians use in their struggle for justice.
To read more about Amer Zahr you can check out his website www.amerzahr.com
If you enjoy listening to Stories from Palestine podcast, then you can help to continue creating new content by buying me a coffee (or a falafel!) on https://www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Culture, traditions and habits. A cheerful chat with Najuan, a Palestinian in Holland.
20 Sep 2020
00:33:31
Learning about Palestine should definitely include stories about daily life, cultural habits and traditions. This episode contains a cheerful chat with Najuan, a Palestinian woman who lives in the Netherlands. She lives in my country and I live in hers. We laugh about cultural differences and personal experiences.
How Dutch people always think Najuan dresses her daughter too many clothes while Palestinians used to tell Kristel “Haram, you should dress your kids warmer!” We talk about the differences in hospitality. A Palestinian meal consists of a table full of too much food and your plate will be filled over and over again until you had more than enough, while a Dutch meal is prepared to be just enough for everyone so that Najuan gets a little uncomfortable to take another round. A Dutch friend will tell you “okay, get home safely” when you say you are leaving, while a Palestinian will be like “are you leaving, that's early, stay!” And many more examples that will make you laugh and learn more about Palestine AND the Netherlands.
If you are enjoying listening to the podcast, please see if you can support me to continue. Buy me a coffee (or a falafel) for 3 dollar on www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine Tourism is down and I have no other income currently.
Thank you so much, it is really helpful and appreciated! I would also love to hear from you, send me a message on facebook, instagram or by e-mail. Become part of the Palestine community!!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The desert a city. Monasticism in the Jerusalem wilderness.
13 Sep 2020
00:28:25
Don't you feel sometimes that you want to leave everything behind for a while, all the worldly possessions, responsibilities, technology and drama!? Maybe you should try spend some time in the desert! The Jerusalem desert was already popular for hermits since the 3rd century AD. It is estimated that around 10.000 monks lived in the desert in caves and monasteries. Some of these still exist and are inhabited until today. This episode takes you back in time and into the wilderness on a journey to find inner peace in the Jerusalem desert.
If you are enjoying listening to the podcast, please support me to continue. Buy me a coffee (or a falafel) for 3 dollar on www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine Tourism is down and I have no other income currently.
Thank you so much, it is really helpful and appreciated! I would also love to hear from you, send me a message on facebook, instagram or by e-mail. Become part of the Palestine community!!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
The many stories behind the art work of Palestinian artist Ayed Arafah
06 Sep 2020
00:35:06
The reason why I really like Ayed's art work, is that I KNOW there is a STORY behind each painting, installation or sculpture. The story is usually two fold. It teaches you something about the Palestinian society and the times we live in, but it is also a window to Ayed's soul. Even for Ayed himself his art work helps him to discover who he really is and who he wants to be within the context of the Palestinian society and the reality of life under military occupation.
Ayed grew up in Deheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem. We talk about how this shaped him as a person and as an artist. For this interview we spent some time in his studio, we walked to nearby Singer Cafe to see the exhibition he worked on during Covid-19 quarantine and we finished our talk in the concert room of Al Jisser bar where he has a very interesting installation at the moment. Join us for this audio ART WALK through Beit Sahour.
You can find Ayed on Instagram: @ayedarafah
If you are enjoying listening to the podcast, please support me to continue. Buy me a coffee (or a falafel) for 3 dollar on www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine Tourism is down and I have no other income currently.
Thank you so much, it is really helpful and appreciated!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Civil Society for Dignity in Palestine part 2 : Palestinian civil society involvement
18 Sep 2023
00:35:29
This is the second part of a trilogy I made for Pax Palestine Podcast about the 'Civil Society for Dignity' project, a project by MEND, PCR, PCPD and PAX for Peace, supported by the European Union. This project aims to bridge the gap between the Palestinian civil society and the local governments.
In this episode you will learn more about the project 'Civil Society for Dignity' itself. Muna Rishmawi, the project manager, talks about the aims of the project, the cooperation between the different organizations that are involved and how the project is being implemented. One of the young female participants, Aseel, tells us about her personal experiences and what her participation meant to her personal development. We conclude with Yara, who carried out a research and shares her findings with us.
Partners in this joined project are:
MEND stands for Middle East Non Violence and Democracy. MEND promotes active nonviolence and encourages alternatives to violence among youth and adults throughout Palestine. MEND employs innovative methods, especially with the media, and is widely respected for working with authenticity, professionalism and courage.
PCR is the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between people. PCR works to bridge the gap between Palestinians and peoples from all around the world, informing the public about the reality in Palestine, and empowering the community through nonviolent direct action.
PCPD is the Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy. They were established to promote a just peace based on the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of 1988 and relevant United Nations Resolutions towards a two state solution, in which democracy and social justice are guaranteed.
PAX for Peace is based in the Netherlands and works together with committed citizens and partners to protect civilians against acts of war, to end armed violence, and to build a just peace. In Palestine PAX supports local partners in building resilient communities, promoting human security and equality in the political, cultural and social domain, and in fighting the injustices resulting from the protracted occupation.
If you want to know more about the work of Pax for Peace you can visit their website https://paxforpeace.nl
If you love any of these you should definitely listen to this episode: stories, history, geology, heritage and of course Palestine! I am going to reveal an obsession I developed while living in Palestine. It is a feature that was not common to me, coming from the Netherlands. It has shaped this country and its people to the point where when you know what it is, you will not stop thinking about its importance! I am not giving it away... just listen!
If you are enjoying listening to the podcast, please support me to continue. Buy me a coffee (or a falafel) for 3 dollar on www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine Tourism is down and I have no other income currently.
Thank you so much, it is really helpful and appreciated!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Seven years ago I moved from the Netherlands to live with my Palestinian husband in East Jerusalem. My life here is full of stories. I love sharing the unexpected side of Palestine. As a tour guide I talk about history, heritage, flora and fauna, as Kristel, I have my personal experiences to share.
In this episode Vivien Sansour talks about the importance of heirloom seeds and the cultural heritage that is connected to the traditional crops. Musician Zaid Hilal was inspired by the story of the Abu Samra heirloom wheat and he composed a song.
"Oh Abu Samra, handsome dark one, we miss the time when my grandmother used to bake delicious bread of you".
You can hear the full version of this song on Soundcloud if you look for Zaid Hilal. Zaid also produced the music for this podcast. To learn more about the work of the Palestinian Heirloom Seed Library you can find them through El Beir, Arts and Seeds on facebook and instagram and google for articles.
If you are enjoying listening to the podcast, please support me to continue. Buy me a coffee (or a falafel) for 3 dollar on www.ko-fi.com/storiesfrompalestine Tourism is down and I have no other income currently.
Thank you so much, it is really helpful and appreciated! I would also love to hear from you, send me a message on facebook, instagram or by e-mail. Become part of the Palestine community!!
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, follow the YouTube channel and sign up for the weekly e-mail. You can find all the links in the linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
Civil Society for Dignity in Palestine part 1 : introduction to Palestinian civil society
18 Sep 2023
00:34:27
This is the first part of a trilogy that I made for Pax Palestine Podcast about the 'Civil Society for Dignity' project, a project by MEND, PCR, PCPD and PAX for Peace, supported by the European Union. This project aims to bridge the gap between the Palestinian civil society and the local governments.
In this first episode you will learn more about the political reality for Palestinians under military rule and the civil society landscape of Palestine, in an interview with George Rishmawi, Director of the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement of people.
Partners in this joined project are:
MEND stands for Middle East Non Violence and Democracy. MEND promotes active nonviolence and encourages alternatives to violence among youth and adults throughout Palestine. MEND employs innovative methods, especially with the media, and is widely respected for working with authenticity, professionalism and courage.
PCR is the Palestinian Center for Rapprochement between people. PCR works to bridge the gap between Palestinians and peoples from all around the world, informing the public about the reality in Palestine, and empowering the community through nonviolent direct action.
PCPD is the Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy. They were established to promote a just peace based on the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of 1988 and relevant United Nations Resolutions towards a two state solution, in which democracy and social justice are guaranteed.
PAX for Peace is based in the Netherlands and works together with committed citizens and partners to protect civilians against acts of war, to end armed violence, and to build a just peace. In Palestine PAX supports local partners in building resilient communities, promoting human security and equality in the political, cultural and social domain, and in fighting the injustices resulting from the protracted occupation.
If you want to know more about the work of Pax for Peace you can visit their website https://paxforpeace.nl
Beit Shean or Beisan as it is called by Palestinians because before 1948 it was called Beisan and it had a population of 6000 people, is mainly known for the excavation of the ancient city and it is sometimes compared to Pompeii that was preserved so well because of the volcanic eruption, in this case the remains of Roman and Byzantine Beit Shean were preserved after a major earthquake. The ruins remained undisturbed and are now part of an archaeological park.
The history of Beit Shean goes back to the Canaanite period, about 4000 years ago!
It became an important Egyptian administrative center and it is mentioned in the Bible.
It grew into a really big Roman city with a lot of typical Roman features and it was the capital of the Decapolis. It flourished in Byzantine time. But then it was hit very hard by the major earthquake of 749 and since then the ruins have been left untouched.
Today it is a national park that requires an entrance fee. It is located on the north side of the modern city of Beit Shean, it is South of the Lake of Galilee and it is east (north east) of Jenin.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, find out more about trips to Palestine, sign up for the e-mail list and support the podcast, all through this one link: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
In a previous episode with Apo Sahagian, we talked about the Armenian community in Jerusalem. This episode is a deeper dive into the history of the Armenians and their presence in the holy land in general and in Jerusalem in particular.
The newly renovated Edward and Helen Mardigian Armenian Museum of Jerusalem offers a wealth of stories about the Armenians of Jerusalem.
A key attraction is the sixth century mosaic floor that was found in the Musrara neighborhood while a Palestinian family was putting the pillar of a house in 1894. The mosaic had been part of an ancient Armenian convent, Saint Polyeuctus, one of the 72 Armenian convents that the holy land used to have.
The Armenian inscription on the mosaic says: in memory and salvation of all Armenian martyrs whose names only God knows.
The museum is divided into two floors, the ground floor tells the history of the Armenians from the first century BC to present day. The second floor tells the history of the Armenian genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century.
The building in which the museum is housed, sheltered hundreds of children who became orphans due to the genocide.
Phone: 00 972 2 6328807 E-mail: mamjerusalem@gmail.com Opening hours: from 9.00 til 16.00 Closed on Sundays and Mondays Address: Armenian Patriarchate Road, across the Armenian parking lot
The Palestinians call it Akka, in English they say Acre, which goes back to how the Crusaders called the city, today we hear people referring to it as Akko and the root letters AK go back to the Egyptian execration texts in hieroglyphic script that mention AK already in the 19th century BC.
Today we can talk about three parts of Akka: the old city inside the Ottoman walls on a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient city that dates back to early and middle bronze age on the Tel east of the old city and modern Akko that has developed in the last decades and now incorporates the ancient Tel, known in Arabic as Tel el Fukhar.
When you visit Akka today, you will mainly see the remains of the Crusader period and the Ottoman period. The biggest tourist attractions are: the Crusader Knights' halls, the Crusader tunnel, the old city with its 'khans', the Al Jazzar mosque, the sea port with its fish restaurants, the suq and the Ottoman city walls.
In this episode you can learn more about the ancient history of Akko.
If you want to connect on social media, subscribe for the newsletter, learn more about the ten days travel program or make a donation to the podcast, use this linktree: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
On the Mediterranean coast you can find the ruins of a city that first became a large sized city during the Canaanite period. Of this period the oldest brick wall and arched gate have been excavated and can now be visited. You can even pass through the gate! The National Park in which the ruins of Asqalan can be visited has some very interesting sites: the biggest Roman basilica found in the area, a Phoenician dog cemetery, an antilia (water wheel) that brought fresh water up from above the salt water table, a large sycamore tree, the remains of a Byzantine church, the remains of city walls from several time periods and of course you can enjoy the nature in the park and the Mediterranean Sea and beach!
Asqalan was one of the five Philistine cities that formed the Pentapolis: Gaza, Ashdod, Asqalan, Gath and Ekron. It is mentioned several times in the Bible.
To learn more about the history of Asqalan, listen to this episode!
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I have not been able to record new episodes recently because I am so busy with the Israeli tour guide course. Many people have asked me how that is going so I decided to record an episode about my experience in the first four months of this course.
In the meantime I got my tour guide license by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and I have taken the first small group into the Church of Nativity as a licensed tour guide. That was an amazing moment, especially because it took me almost 4 years to get that license!
And now I am also taking the course in Jerusalem so that I can be a licensed guide in all of the country. It is very interesting, challenging at times, a different narrative and a very diverse group of people. In this episode you can hear more about that!
If you want to get access to unique video content that I am taking during the tours then you can become a Ko-fi member and support the podcast and in return you get access to short videos with explanation. Use this link to find the Ko-fi page AND to connect to Stories from Palestine on social media:
In the previous episode you could learn more about the history of the Church of Nativity, built over the birth cave of Jesus. In this episode I am taking you on a tour inside the Church to explain you some of its most interesting features. You can use this audio guide when you visit the church in Bethlehem but you can also listen to it from the comfort of your home or while you are walking, cleaning or commuting.
If you want to visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem with a real tour guide then you can reach out to me, I am a licensed tour guide by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism.
For more information on the podcast and to connect on social media or if you want to do a donation to help me to continue producing new episodes you can use this link tree:
Thob and tatreez, the Palestinian traditional heritage dress
24 Feb 2025
00:50:04
A couple of years ago I received three pieces of embroidery that used to be the chest pieces of Palestinian dresses. The Palestinian dress is called a 'thob' in Arabic. The person who gave them to me said she had received them from an Israeli woman who had said: “these were from the people who used to live here”
As she didn't know what to do with them, she handed them to me. I also didn't know what was the best thing to do so I asked a Palestinian friend who is a designer and knowledgeable about Palestinian heritage. She then referred me to the Palestinian Heritage Museum in Jerusalem where I met with Bahaa Jubeh, the curator.
In the first episode we took a tour of the ground floor of the museum, focused on all kinds of heritage objects such as pottery, straw items, copper pots, metal objects and agricultural tools.
In this second episode the tour takes us to the upper floor of the museum where we focus on the history of the traditional Palestinian thobs and tatreez, the dresses with embroidery.
More information about the Palestinian Heritage Museum:
The most visited site in Bethlehem is the Church of Nativity on Manger Square. It is the oldest church in the world that is still in use by the local community and that is visited by over two million pilgrims every year.
The Church of Nativity is on the UNESCO world heritage list together with the pilgrimage route that passes through today's Star Street. This is the road that Mary and Joseph would have taken to reach Bethlehem where they had to go because of the Roman census organized by Quirinius. When they did not find a place to sleep in a 'kataluma' which is often translated as inn, but in Bethlehem it is interpreted as a guestroom, they were offered to stay in one of the many caves that are so common in the landscape.
Most people in the West grow up with the image of Jesus in a wooden manger in a wooden stable. But the Church of Nativity is built over the cave that has a very early tradition of veneration for being the birthplace of Jesus.
In this episode we explore the history of the church and the biblical account. In the following episode you can go on an audio tour inside the Church!
If you want to read along you can find the full transcript of this episode on the website.
Use the linktree to find the website, social media and to make a donation!
Mohamad Saleh grew up as a city boy. He never worked in a garden or grew his own food until he had an opportunity to travel to Turkey to be close to his partner and live for some time in a WWOOF project where he learned all about Permaculture.
When he came back to Palestine he decided to start working on bringing the concepts of permaculture closer to the community and he established 'Mostadam'
He emphasizes the importance of healing of individuals in general in order to be able to feel more compassion towards each other and towards nature. He talks about how he is trying to work within the context of the political reality in Palestine as well as the natural environment, in areas with little rainfall and in refugee camps with little soil.
Follow Stories from Palestine podcast on social media, check out the YouTube channel, sign up for the mailinglist and do a very appreciated donation on the Ko-fi platform, all through this one link: https://linktr.ee/storiesfrompalestine
The shaping of the Palestinian identity and the Palestinian national project
14 Jan 2023
01:11:01
In this episode you can hear Bassam, the host of the podcast: "PreOccupation: A not so brief history of Palestine."
Bassam emphasizes the importance of telling the Palestinian story and the futility of trying to counter hasbara (a term in Hebrew that refers to the advocacy for Israel, a form of propaganda).
He explains that we should distinguish between the shaping of the Palestinian identity, the collective consciousness, and the Palestinian national project. When and where did these emerge and who can be considered the first Palestinian?
We also talk about how the Palestinian identity, despite insurmountable obstacles, has been so successful in surviving.
If you want to connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, if you want to visit the website, explore the YouTube channel, sign up for the newsletter or do a donation on the Ko-fi page then please use this link: https://linktr.ee/storiesfrompalestine
In this episode I speak with Yousef Khoury, which translates to Joseph the priest, a Christian Palestinian originally from Gaza, who now lives in Bethlehem. He is the 43rd generation in his family of which 36 generations were priests in the Orthodox priesthood. He studied biblical studies at the Bethlehem Bible College, he has a masters of divinity in theology and mission from the US and is currently working on his doctorate at the University of Amsterdam.
We talk about the history of Christianity in Palestine and the decreasing number of Palestinians who still live in Palestine. We discuss their challenges living under Israeli military and colonial rule and their efforts to counter the Christian Zionist narrative.
As we are approaching Christmas and this episode was recorded in Bethlehem, we end the episode with a Christmas wish and message for everyone around the world.
If you want to learn more about Palestinian theology of liberation these are some sources to check out:
Books:
Munther Isaac, The Other Side of the Wall Mitri Raheb, Faith in the Face of Empire
From Peleset to Falastin: a history of the name Palestine
03 Dec 2022
00:42:09
Where did the name Palestine come from and for how long has it been in use? After reading the book "Palestine a four thousand year history" by Nur Masalha, a Palestinian historian and academic, it became clear that the name Palestine has been used since the 13th century BC until today. Only in the last decades did the use of the name Palestine become estranged, with the establishment of the State of Israel and the vilification of the Palestinian people. Many people doubt whether they can speak about Palestine and Palestinians. Using the name Palestine feels uncomfortable to many people.
In his book, Nur Masalha shows with proof of many documents and quotes that the name Palestine has been the most common name that was used to describe the region between Egypt and today's Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, since it replaced the names Djahi, Retenu and Canaan.
The first mention of the people living in the southern part of the Levant, the Peleset, gives the root letters for the name Philistia and Palaistine, that is used by the Assyrians and later the Greeks and Romans.
The Arabic name Falastin derives directly from the name Palaistine, but in Arabic there is no letter P in the alphabet so they replaced it with the letter F.
During this episode I will take you on an audio tour to the Sea of Galilee where we will visit Bethsaida, Chorazin, Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. These are pilgrimage locations related to places where according to tradition Jesus lived, spoke to his followers, visited synagogues and did miracles.
Disclaimer: I am a trained tour guide at the Bethlehem Bible College, I am not a theologian and I do not belong to any religion. I am telling the stories the way they were told and explained to me by Palestinian Christians who still live in the land where Jesus lived 2000 years ago.
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, sign up for the mailinglist, check out the website and the travel programs and make a donation to the podcast, all via this one link: https://linktr.ee/storiesfrompalestine
Apo Sahagian is a singer and works in different artistic related projects in Jerusalem. He is also the host of the podcast 'Apo and the city'. He grew up in the old city of Jerusalem in the Armenian quarter. His family came to Jerusalem in the 1920s when many Armenians fled from the genocide committed by the Ottoman empire.
In this episode Apo gives us more insight into the Armenian community in Palestine. The Armenians came in three waves. As the first Christian nation in the world, King Tiridates III adopted Christianity as state religion in 301 AD, they have a long history of connection to Jerusalem. The first Crusaders married Armenian princesses and there are several Crusader Queens of Jerusalem that were of Armenian descent, such as the famous queen Melisande. So the first wave dates back from that time, the 12th century AD. These Armenians have integrated into the Palestinians society and even though they cherish their heritage they are much more assimilated than the second wave.
The second wave is the result of displacement during the Ottoman time and these Armenians are still much more connected to the homeland and as diaspora Armenians they are trying to preserve their culture and heritage and they have stronger connections to Armenia.
The third wave consists of Armenians who came to Israel in the time that many Russians were accepted as Jews to the live in Israel. Some of these Armenians are not even really Jewish but they took the opportunity to try have a better economic life. They have been given Israeli citizenship and they are trying to stay out of politics and just live their life.
Apo talks about the Armenian quarter with its convent and the Armenian churches and about what Armenians brought to Palestine in general and Jerusalem in particular.
If you want to listen to his music you can search for Apo & the Apostles
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter) visit the website, find out about the Visit Palestine program and sign up for the bi-weekly e-mail, all with this one link: https://linktr.ee/Storiesfrompalestine
In this episode you can hear an interview with Colette Ghunim about the film 'Traces of Home' that she has been working on for the past years. The film brings her parents back to Mexico and Palestine from where they respectively were forced to leave due to different circumstances.
Colette grew up in a suburb of Chicago and was never really exposed to her roots as her parents were trying to move beyond their trauma and focused on raising their children in the American society.
When Colette lived for a while in Egypt she made some social media reports about women harassment and when her video went viral, she decided to make a short documentary about this topic.
This experience led her to a new project: tracing her roots with her parents, documenting their journeys back to the homes where they had to leave from.
Colette's father is Palestinian, born in 1944. His family was forcibly displaced from Safad in 1948. Although her father did not have clear memories of Safad and of the Nakba, he carries the family trauma with him and as they are making this film the family is going through a process of grief and healing.
You can sign up for the mailing list to stay updated about the development of the film and streaming and screening in the future: https://tracesofhome.com/
Connect to Stories from Palestine on social media, support the show, sign up for the mailinglist, listen to the newest episode, all with one link: https://linktr.ee/storiesfrompalestine
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre part 2, an audio tour
02 Oct 2022
00:40:27
In the previous episode you could hear an introduction to the history of the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem.
This episode can be used as an audio tour when you are visiting the Church. Start on the square in front of the main entrance.
If you are listening from elsewhere you can follow the description and use your imagination! There are lots of photos online as well as YouTube videos. Here is a 20 minutes documentary by AlJazeera English that gives an idea about the church and the community:
Follow Stories from Palestine podcast on social media, sign up for the newsletter, visit the website and support the show with a donation, all through one link:
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, an introduction (part 1 of 2)
18 Sep 2022
00:26:37
One of the most visited sites in the old city of Jerusalem is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is where Christians venerate the place where Jesus was crucified and where he was buried in a tomb. Pilgrims that visit Jerusalem will follow the 'way of the cross' or in Latin the 'Via Dolorosa', the way of his suffering. On the route there are 14 stations where the pilgrims stop to remember something that happened to Jesus on his way to the Golgotha (in Aramaic) or the Calvary (in Latin). This translates as the place of the Skull. The location, on the cliff overlooking a stone quarry, where Jesus was nailed to the cross. The last 5 stations of the Via Dolorosa are inside the church.
In this episode you can learn more about the crucifixion and why emperor Constantine and his mother Helena decided to build the first Church commemorating this event on this exact location.
In the following episode I will take you into the Church for a guided audio tour.
The Palestinian Heritage Museum in Jerusalem part 1
24 Feb 2025
00:24:00
A couple of years ago I received three pieces of embroidery that used to be the chest pieces of Palestinian dresses. The Palestinian dress is called a 'thob' in Arabic. The person who gave them to me said she had received them from an Israeli woman who had said: “these were from the people who used to live here”
As she didn't know what to do with them, she handed them to me. I also didn't know what was the best thing to do so I asked a Palestinian friend who is a designer and knowledgeable about Palestinian heritage. She then referred me to the Palestinian Heritage Museum in Jerusalem where I met with Bahaa Jubeh, the curator.
In this first episode you will learn more about the museum as we take a tour of the ground floor that focuses on all kinds of heritage objects such as pottery, straw items, copper pots, metal objects and agricultural tools.
The audio quality of this episode is not studio quality as we recorded it in the rooms of the museum that produced quite a bit of echo.
The second episode that I will upload is a tour of the upper floor of the museum where we focus on the history of the traditional Palestinian thobs and embroidery.
Find out more about the Palestinian Heritage Museum:
A short episode recorded under the olive tree in the garden to update you on the crowdfunding for the fees of the tour guide program in Jerusalem! With good news that we reached the goal! Including a shout out to some of the donors but I couldn't mention everybody because there are 69 people who supported me!!
Also an update about the visit to the Open House of the School of Tourism and the English test I had to do there that consisted of a text to praise the greatness of Israel and how I managed with that...
New season new plans for tour guiding in Palestine
04 Sep 2022
00:17:09
After a long summer break I am back with new episodes. But from now on you can listen to the podcast bi-weekly. In this episode I will tell you about my new plans for this coming year and I need YOUR help (and help of all my friends, relatives and podcast listeners!) to proceed with this plan. That's why I am explaining you why I think it is an important step in my life and how you can help me. If you agree and if you can and want to support, then this is the link you need to click: https://www.gofundme.com/f/national-tour-guide-license-for-kris
Visit Palestine this October with Saleem & Kristel
20 Jul 2022
00:31:13
In this episode you can hear all about the Visit Palestine October program that Saleem and myself are organizing! This 10-days program includes a full day of olive picking and two nights with local families in the village of Abud.
We will visit many of the people and places that you have heard about in the last two years of podcast episodes!
We will start the program on Monday 3 October with an introduction to get all participants on the same page when it comes to history and terminology that we will need to understand throughout the visit.
The first nights we will stay in Beit Sahour in a family hotel and we will discover Bethlehem area, Battir and Jerusalem. Then we will go towards Jericho and on our way we will visit several of the desert monasteries and of course Hisham's palace! Of course we won't miss out on the experience of floating in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.
The next two days we will be in Abud, a small village north west of Ramallah. The people of Abud will welcome us in their homes and we will get a chance to connect with the local families. On Sunday there is a full day of olive picking including a nice brunch on the field.
In Taybeh we have the opportunity to visit the famous Taybeh beer brewery as well as a local distillery.
In Nablus there is so much to explore, the Turkish bath, the olive soap factory, the spices shop, the Ottoman clock tower, the Green Mosque and of course we will eat Knefeh Nabulsiya.
On our way back to Bethlehem we pass by Mount Gerizim and we will visit the Samaritan community and learn more about their relation to the land and their claim that the true Temple was not in Jerusalem but on Mount Gerizim.
There is a free day in Bethlehem that you can use to rest and relax, to go shopping, to discover more in Bethlehem or in Jerusalem and we can strongly advice to take the Sacred Cuisine food tour in the old city of Jerusalem.
The last day we head to the West towards the Mediterranean Sea and we will visit the city of Jaffa.
In the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, where Israeli settlers are in the process of taking over many Palestinian houses, there is an archive where Palestinians can store their photos, diaries, posters and other tangible documents. It is the first Palestinian run archive that is trying to collect memories, history AND documents that are produced TODAY, to store them for future generations.
The initiative is called 'Khazaeen', the Arabic word for 'cabinets'. Each Palestinian that brings documents to Khazaeen, gets its own box, its own cabinet, to store the documents. Through interviews, stories are collected and published on the blog of Khazaeen's website and on social media. The items are digitized and the owner can decide to take them home or to leave them in the cabinet. In the process of collecting and bringing documents to Khazaeen, many Palestinians have learned about the life and circumstances of their own ancestors. Often this has helped them to understand their own family history and the generational trauma that has been passed on, especially through the experiences of the Nakba in 1948 and the Naksa in 1967.
"It is very important to write our own history and to collect our own archive, rather than having our history stored in the colonial archives of the State of Israel", says Eman Alyan.
"It is also important to collect brochures, pamphlets, posters, photos and art work of today, so we can save it for the future. "