DeepSummary
The podcast episode focuses on the role of US citizens and other dual nationals in Israel's illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. Journalist Hind Hassan gains access to the highly secured settlement of Maale Khaber, where she interviews an American-Israeli settler named Gideon, who believes the land belongs to Jewish people by divine right. The episode highlights the rise in settler violence against Palestinians, including the shooting of a young Palestinian man named Zakiriya al Adra.
Hassan also reveals that the US-based charity 'One Israel Fund' allows tax-deductible donations to be funneled into illegal settlements, despite the US administration's stance against such settlements. The episode explores the contradiction between the US condemning the settlements as illegal under international law while allowing organizations like the One Israel Fund to receive tax-deductible donations for them.
Additionally, the episode discusses the presence of American citizens serving in the Israeli army in the occupied territories and the potential legal implications of their involvement in actions deemed illegal by the US government.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Many US citizens and dual nationals, particularly American-Israelis, are involved in illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, believing they have a divine right to the land.
- The settlements have been the site of escalating violence by settlers against Palestinian residents, including shootings and property destruction.
- Despite the US government's stance against the settlements as illegal under international law, US-based charities like the One Israel Fund are able to funnel tax-deductible donations to support and expand the settlements.
- The presence of American citizens serving in the Israeli army in the occupied territories raises potential legal issues regarding their involvement in actions deemed illegal by the US government.
- The episode highlights the complex and often contradictory relationship between the US and Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, as well as the human impact of the settlements on Palestinian communities.
- The process of 'Aliyah,' which allows Jewish individuals to obtain Israeli citizenship and residency, has facilitated the involvement of dual nationals in the settlements.
- The segregationist and exclusionary attitudes held by many settlers towards Palestinians contribute to the ongoing conflict and tensions in the occupied territories.
- The episode raises questions about the accountability and potential legal consequences for US citizens and dual nationals involved in actions deemed illegal by the US government in the occupied territories.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “God promised Abraham, this is the land that is going to belong to you and to your children forevermore, right here in my backyard.“ by Gideon
- “So the main takeaway was, we don't want Palestinians living in this settlement.“ by Hynda San
- “It's very different to other forms of immigration or obtaining passports. The reason why this is different is because you can only make Alia if you are either jewish or the child of a jewish person or the grandchild of a jewish person.“ by Hynda San
- “So seemingly, it appears to be in contradiction of what Biden is saying.“ by Hynda San
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Episode Information
The Take
Al Jazeera
5/13/24
Tens of thousands of US citizens are among the 700,000 Jewish residents of illegal settlements in the Occupied West Bank. With settler violence against Palestinian residents surging since October 7, prompting sanctions and condemnation from more than a dozen countries, we look at the role of dual nationals.
In this episode:
- Hind Hassan (@HindHassanNews), International Correspondent
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and Tamara Khandaker with our host Malika Bilal. Khaled Soltan fact-checked this episode.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.
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