The groundbreaking ICJ case proposed by South Africa against Israel has just closed, and Lara and Michael (mostly Lara) break down what it means. It’s important to remember that South Africa didn’t call for a ceasefire, as this is not legal terminology. All six counts brought against Israel were ruled in South Africa’s favor; these are 1) Israel must take all measures within it’s power to stop murdering & harming Palestinians and preventing their birth, 2) Israel must ensure that it’s military follow all measures from point 1, 3) Israel must prevent and punish all genocidal intent, 4) Israel shall ensure humanitarian aid to Gaza, 5) Israel must not destroy evidence related to these allegations, and 6) Israel must report back to the court in one month’s time. Lara does an excellent job of summarizing the court’s findings, and highlighting the myriad wins that stem from this case. This is among the first legal decisions to attempt to hold Israel accountable for their actions. Michael and Lara speak about how legislation + activism + boycotting as a unified force is the only way to ensure the Palestinian right of return and the end of apartheid and violence against Palestinians.

Michael and Lara talk in depth about zionist propaganda in mainstream media, and how brainwashing and specific victim branding is built into their messaging. Looking at a recent attach in Jenin, the two point out how the West Bank has been occupied since 1967, and how an occupying power cannot claim self-defense against the entity they’re occupying. They then turn to US propaganda, and look at how Aipac controls congress person messaging. Jenin is threatened with ‘Gazafication’, which translates to the increased Israeli policing, drone bombs, and security checkpoints. In the news, Gaza was bombed, but the coverage of it was overlooked. The occupation continues to claim that drones are targeting Hamas when civilian refugees pay the price. Netanyahu promised that the raids will not stop, lending to his genocidal intents. Finally, Lara addresses the murder of 17-year old Nahel in the suburbs of Paris, and how his death has stoked the flame of colonial oppression everywhere in the world. France, like other colonial entities, continues to collect taxes from the countries it once colonized. Most famously, it took Haiti more than a century to pay France reparation debts, greatly contributing to its economic woes.

This week, the Palestine Pod interviews Lyla June, an Indigenous public speaker, artist, scholar and community organizer of Diné (Navajo) and Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) nations from Taos, New Mexico. Lyla speaks to us about the ill-effects of colonialism in Turtle Island (i.e. the United States) especially on food and ecosystems and Lara draws comparisons to Palestine. Lyla describes what makes a sustainable culture and recalls the sustainability of indigenous culture as well as the suitability of indigenous food to indigenous communities on a personal level. We speak about the importance of Land Back in Turtle Island and the Palestinian right of return and Lyla shares with us her journey to learning about and supporting the struggle for Palestinian liberation. Michael queries how white settlers in Turtle Island can best get involved in a Land Back movement.