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On this episode of #SumudPodcast, we are honored to feature award-winning Palestinian author, social activist, policy analyst, and journalist Laila El-Haddad.
Laila’s work spans topics such as life in Gaza, the intersection of food and politics, contemporary Islam, and her experiences as a Palestinian mother and journalist. In 2014, she appeared on CNN's Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain, where she guided him through the Gaza Strip, offering a rare and humanizing portrayal of the region.
Born in Kuwait, raised in Saudi Arabia, and spending her summers in Gaza, Laila’s journey is a testament to the resilience of Palestinians in diaspora. A graduate of Duke University and Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in the United States, Laila brings a unique perspective informed by her personal and professional experiences.
Join us as our hosts, @DrEdHasan and @ZeinaAshrawi, explore Laila’s reflections on navigating borders, the challenges of motherhood under occupation, and how food becomes an act of storytelling and resistance.
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Listen now: https://linktr.ee/sumudpod
➡️ Follow our guest:
Laila El-Haddad: @gazamom
➡️ Follow our hosts:
Dr. Ed Hasan: @DrEdHasan
Zeina Ashrawi: @ZeinaAshrawi
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:01 Laila’s Background: Palestinian identity, displacement, and Israel’s discrtiminatory ID system.
12:28 Impact of the Gulf War: Growing up in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.
15:02 Leaving Gaza: Her parents’ decision and pressures to stay silent before the First Intifada.
19:46 Food as Resistance: Connecting to Palestinian culture through cuisine.
37:41 Living in the U.S.: Facing the U.S.’s role in perpetuating genocide in Palestine.
44:04 Post-9/11 Parallels: Comparing the post-9/11 era to current challenges for Palestinians.
51:27 Sponsors: Special thanks to our sponsors.
54:08 Writing Gaza Kitchen: Discovering Gaza’s food traditions and working with Anthony Bourdain.
01:04:59 Colonialism and Cuisine: How occupation has changed Palestinian culinary traditions.
01:24:57 Anthony Bourdain’s Visit: Insights into Gaza’s realities.
01:28:22 The Biden Lawsuit: Discussing the landmark case against U.S. support for genocide.
01:50:16 Refusing Tokenization: Pushing back against political pressure from the Biden administration.
01:53:47 Her Books: Exploring the stories and motivations behind her works.
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