In this episode Tom and Nicole talk to Rashed Khudairy of the Jordan Valley Solidarity Campaign.
The Israeli state has wanted to annex the Jordan Valley since it occupied it in 1967. In 2021 Netanyahu announced plans to finally incorporate the Valley into the State of Israel. People in the Jordan Valley resisted strongly against these plans, and there was international outcry. Thankfully the plans have been shelved for the moment - but the people of the Jordan Valley are under a constant threat from settlements expanding onto their lands, from the violence of the Israeli settlers, from the closures imposed by the Israeli army and from the constant demolitions of their homes.
This interview was carried out in late 2022. Things have been getting progressively worse throughout 2023, and are getting exponentially more urgent for the people of the Valley since the latest attacks on Gaza in October.
As well as talking about the violence of the occupation, Rashed talks about the beauty of life, nature and the land in the Jordan Valley - and how connection to the land strengthens the steadfastness of the people.
If you would like an explanation of the terms used in this podcast, you can find a useful glossary on pages 140-154 of Shoal Collective's Ebook
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Shoal Collective
Transcripts
This episode of the International Solidarity Movement Podcast was recorded last year, months before the current Israeli genocidal attack against Gaza began. Jordan Valley Solidarity (JVS) is still working to support the people of the Jordan Valley to stay on their land, despite massively increased settler violence and forced expulsions of entire Jordan Valley communities. This interview focuses on what JVS are struggling for: the beauty of the Jordan Valley, and the steadfastness of its people.
