Arab Talk with Jess & Jamal

Jess & Jamal discuss the unveiling of President Trump’s so-called “Deal of the Century,” which is tantamount to the Bantustans of South Africa’s apartheid regime. According to the plan, Palestinians lose all claims to Jerusalem and the right of return of refugees. Meanwhile, Israeli Colonial Settlements will be annexed to Israel along with the Jordan Valley, and security forces will continue to be posted inside Palestine, which would have to be demilitarized.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial, as Democrats argue that Trump pushed the Ukrainian government to probe Biden and his son because he was worried about facing the former vice president in November’s election. They also discuss leaked reports that current VP Mike Pence invited Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House, during the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, to start discussing the “Deal of the Century,” without inviting any representatives from the Palestinian Authority.

Jess & Jamal discuss President Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate, as a trove of texts, voice mail messages, calendar entries and other records from Lev Parnas were released. An associate of the president’s personal lawyer Rudolph W. Giuliani, Parnas offered new details about the Ukraine scandal. They also discuss the recent uproar over a gaffe made by the producers and host of the popular television game show “Jeopardy!” about the location of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Jess & Jamal discuss the repercussions resulting from the assassination of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani and the War of Misinformation surrounding Iran’s response and the downing of the Ukrainian airliner.

Jess and Jamal discuss President Trump’s executive order designed to cut off aid to colleges that tolerate anti-Semitism. However, many First Amendment advocates see it as an effort to stifle free speech and criticism of Israel. Jess and Jamal discuss the impact of this executive order on academic freedom.

Jamal Dajani interviews journalist and cooking show host Blanche Shaheen who has recently published her first cooking book, "Feast in the Middle East: A Personal Journey of Family and Cuisine." According to Shaheen, readers will be able to recreate street foods like chicken shawarma and crispy falafel in their own kitchens or move on to more complex dishes and delicious desserts. Shaheen also discusses her recent trip to Palestine and her connection to the land, people, culture and cuisine. Link to order the book: https://secure.mybookorders.com/Orderpage/2189

Jess & Jamal discuss the recent indictment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. They also discuss US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that the Trump administration is reversing its stance on Israeli settlements in the West Bank which are considered illegal under international law, a move that was condemned by Palestinians and many countries around the world.

Jess & Jamal interview Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi (San Francisco State University) & Dr. Simona Sharoni (Merrimack College) about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza, which resulted in the death of at least 24 Palestinians, including a father and his two children. They also discuss anti-Semitism, white supremacy and attacks on academic freedom.

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent revelations that two former employees of Twitter were charged with spying for Saudi Arabia by snooping into thousands of private accounts seeking personal information about critics of the Saudi royal family. They also discuss Representative Andy Levin’s fact-finding visit to the West Bank and his criticism of the Israeli Occupation.

Jess and Jamal discuss the recent vote by the US House of Representatives to endorse the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry into President Trump. The vote was 232-196 to approve a resolution that sets out rules for an impeachment process, and it was only the third time in modern history that the House had taken a vote on an impeachment inquiry into a sitting president. Jess and Jamal also discuss the two-hour raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.