Dr Philippa Whitford is a breast cancer surgeon, former MP for Central Ayrshire, trustee of MAP, patron of the BPP and worked in Gaza as a surgeon between 1991-2 and then again from 2016-2019.
In this episode Lara talks to Philippa about her experiences working in Gaza over two crucial periods in Gaza’s recent history. Philippa tells us about the daily struggles of working in Gaza during the first Intifada and in the wake of the Madrid Conference, and then again during Gaza’s occupation by Israel. Lara asks about what it was like to watch the genocide unfold and what parallels Philippa sees between what we are seeing now and her experience living in Gaza.
This is an incredibly moving and insightful episode which paints a vivid picture of the state of Gaza’s health service pre genocide and outlines the challenges that the healthcare system faces now.
If you are interested in seeing Philippa speak live, then make sure you are following her and her ongoing tour of Scotland.
Join Lara Bird-Leakey as she summarises the latest ICJ AO into the role of the UN in Gaza.
Yesterday the ICJ delivered an Advisory Opinion (AO) on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities on the UN, other international organisations and third states in the relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Within this Advisory Opinion the Court confirmed that Israel has an obligation to:
i. Respect and protect all relief and medical personal facilities,
ii. Respect the prohibition against forcible transfer and deportation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,
iii. To respect the prohibition on the use of starvation against civilians as a method of war,
iv. That as an occupying power, Israel has an obligation under international human rights law to fulfil the human rights of the occupied territory, including through the activities of UNWRA and the UN.
As well as finding that Israel has not submitted evidence to substantiate their claim linking Hamas to UNWRA.
Listen along as Lara summarises this AO and discusses it’s impact here in the UK.
Recorded at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this episode of Palestine Matters explores whether diplomacy can still make a difference in an age of realpolitik, wars, and international law in crisis.
Host: Brian Brivati Guests:
Afif Safieh – Veteran Palestinian diplomat and former ambassador, who played a central role in the transition from armed struggle to dialogue within the Palestinian national movement.
Frances Guy – Former British ambassador with decades of experience across the Middle East and beyond, now engaged in international policy and humanitarian work.
👉 Together, they examine:
Why Afif describes himself as “ashamed” at diplomacy’s failures, yet still an optimist about dialogue.
The unavoidable coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians – and why only “possible justice,” not absolute justice, is now being sought.
The decisive role of the United States and what Afif calls the battle for Washington.
The two “Americas”: settler-colonial vs. founding ideals – and which one Palestinians must appeal to.
Why Arab Americans and even some Republicans were drawn to Trump’s early promises of neutrality.
The concept of compellence – Israel’s coercive regional policies, and why the international community must resist them.
The urgent need for accountability: sanctions, recognition of Palestine, and reform of multilateral institutions.
Frances’ reflections on how diplomacy, through relationships and persistence, can prevent escalation – and why isolation is no substitute for pressure plus engagement.
The hope for an Eisenhower moment when a US leader has the courage to force Israel to comply with international law.
✨ Despite genocide and famine, our guests insist diplomacy is not dead. What the world needs now is statesmanship, courage, and persistence.
🎧 Palestine Matters is available on all podcast platforms, YouTube, and our website. Just search Britain Palestine Project.
Recorded live at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this episode of Palestine Matters explores the historic role of Britain in shaping the Israel–Palestine conflict - and what responsibility Britain carries today.
Host: Diana Safieh, Britain Palestine Project Guests:
Sir Vincent Fean – Former British Consul-General in Jerusalem (2010–2014), former Ambassador to Libya, and BPP trustee.
William Dalrymple – Historian and bestselling author, widely known for his work on empires and their legacies.
👉 Together, they examine:
How Britain’s policies during and after WWI laid the foundations of today’s conflict.
The Balfour Declaration and its lasting consequences.
Britain’s violent suppression of the Arab Revolt (1936–39), including the use of torture and collective punishment.
The failure of Britain’s Mandate to protect Palestinians or prepare them for independence.
The Nakba of 1947–48 and Britain’s responsibility in creating the refugee crisis.
Why British education neglects empire and Palestine, and the consequences of public ignorance.
How international law defines the occupation and why recognition of Palestine must be more than symbolic.
Concrete measures Britain and allies should take now: ending arms sales, sanctions, and trade restrictions with settlements.
✨ The conversation also touches on cultural and historical context — from shared sacred traditions in pre-Mandate Palestine to new historical research on Gaza and the deep continuity of the Palestinian people.
📣 Special Announcement: We are delighted to welcome William Dalrymple as a new patron of the Britain Palestine Project.
🎧 Palestine Matters is available on all podcast platforms, on YouTube, and via our website. Just search Britain Palestine Project.
Brian Klug is Hon Fellow in Social Philosophy, Campion Hall, University of Oxford. He has published and lectured extensively on antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism in general, and is one of the authors of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (2021). Earlier this year he took part in a Roundtable in Granada which drafted the document ‘Combating Islamophobia and Antisemitism: A Declaration of Shared Principles’. He will be part of a panel presenting the Declaration at the UN Social Summit in November.
Yesterday the UK formally recognised the state of Palestine. A move which they have been dragged to kicking and screaming and which is at least 75 years overdue.
In this episode, Lara discusses what this means in practice for Palestinians, how this might change the UK government’s position on the ICJ Provisional Measures and Advisory Opinions, if at all, and what must come next in order for this to be more than a merely symbolic gesture.
On Monday 22 September, Britain Palestine Project trustee Sir Vincent Fean joined Trevor Phillips on Times Radio’s The Times at One to discuss the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine. Sir Vincent stressed that recognition cannot be a symbolic gesture alone – it must be backed by decisive measures grounded in international law. He highlighted Britain’s historic responsibilities and the urgent need for meaningful action to support Palestinian rights and lasting peace.
Recorded at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this episode tackles one of the most pressing questions in UK and international politics: Why does recognition of the State of Palestine matter—now, in 2025?
Host Diana Safieh is joined by two leading voices:
Humza Yousaf, former First Minister of Scotland and the first Muslim to hold the role. A lifelong advocate for justice in Palestine, he speaks movingly about the issue as both a political leader and as a family member of Palestinians trapped in Gaza.
Sir Vincent Fean, former British Consul-General in Jerusalem and trustee of the Britain Palestine Project, who brings diplomatic and historical insight into Britain’s responsibilities and opportunities.
👉 In this episode, they explore:
Why recognition is not a privilege to be granted but an inalienable right of the Palestinian people
The historical responsibility Britain bears from the Balfour Declaration to the Mandate era
Why recognition is necessary, though not sufficient, for ending occupation and apartheid
How international law—from the ICJ’s advisory opinion to the Genocide Convention—sets the framework for action
What recognition could mean for Palestinians and Israelis on the ground
How individuals, communities, and governments can push beyond symbolism into real measures: ending arms sales, boycotts, disinvestment, and upholding international law
At its heart, this episode makes clear that recognition is not just about diplomacy—it is about humanity, justice, and equal rights.
🔗 Listen now on all major podcast platforms. 💡 Find resources, actions, and our MP email campaign at britainpalestineproject.org.
Recorded at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this episode of Palestine Matters turns to the heart of the conflict: Jerusalem.
Our guests both bring deeply personal and professional perspectives on the city:
Sir Vincent Fean, former British Consul-General in Jerusalem (2010–2014)
Emma Gilmour (formerly Emma Williams), author of It’s Easier to Reach Heaven than the End of the Street, a memoir of life in Jerusalem with her family
Together, they share vivid memories - some joyful, some traumatic - of life in this sacred but contested city. They explore why Jerusalem matters so profoundly to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, and why it has become a flashpoint for politics, religion, and identity.
👉 Highlights from this episode:
Contrasting personal memories: Palm Sunday celebrations vs. the trauma of a school bombing
How separation and mistrust define everyday life in Jerusalem
Why access to holy sites remains such a source of pain and injustice
The symbolism of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre’s “immovable ladder”
The enduring role of international law, recognition, and outside intervention in any path to peace
A striking metaphor: the unshaped rock within the Dome of the Rock as a symbol of Jerusalem’s unresolved tensions
At the heart of the conversation is a question: can Jerusalem ever be shared, or at least respected, in a way that ensures dignity, safety, and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis?
Sunday 21 September, Britain Palestine Project trustee Sir Vincent Fean joined Justin McCarthy on RTÉ Radio to discuss the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine. Recognition is not just symbolic – it must be given meaning through action rooted in international law. Listen back for his insights on Britain’s responsibilities and the urgent need for decisive measures.
In this episode of Palestine Matters, recorded live at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, host Brian Brivati speaks with two former senior UN officials – Andrew Gilmour and Andrew Whitley – about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the international community’s response.
Andrew Gilmour, former UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and current chair of UN Staff Gaza, shares his perspective on the unprecedented targeting of UN personnel, the implications for international law, and the growing frustration among UN staff.
Andrew Whitley, Chair of the Britain Palestine Project and former UNRWA Director of External Relations, reflects on the systematic dismantling of humanitarian systems, the deliberate creation of famine as a weapon of war, and the sustained attempts to delegitimise UNRWA.
Together, they examine:
The deliberate use of starvation and displacement in Gaza.
Western governments’ failures to uphold international law and obligations under the Genocide Convention.
The role of the US, Europe, and the global south in shaping what comes next.
Why the Palestinian issue has re-emerged at the heart of global politics.
It’s a conversation that confronts the silence of powerful states, the fragility of international law, and the urgent need for accountability and solidarity.
🔗 Palestine Matters is a collaboration between Beyond Borders Scotland and the Britain Palestine Project.
Recorded live at the Beyond Borders International Festival in Scotland, this first episode of our Palestine Matters series brings together two highly respected diplomats: Martin Griffiths (former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs) and Sir Vincent Fean (Trustee of the Britain Palestine Project, former British Consul-General in Jerusalem).
Hosted by our Executive Director Brian Brivati, the conversation explores Britain’s role at the UN General Assembly in September, where the UK has pledged to recognise the state of Palestine alongside France, Australia, Canada, Portugal and others.
Key themes include:
Why recognition of Palestine is not a “gift” but a legal entitlement.
The urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including famine and displacement.
The responsibilities of the UK and other Western governments under international law.
How to move from condemnation of Israeli actions to meaningful political action.
The role of the UN and whether global diplomacy can still deliver justice.
What real accountability and hope could look like for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
At a time of profound crisis, this discussion asks how Britain and the international community can be held to their obligations — and how international law and conscience can be mobilised for peace.
👉 Palestine Matters is a joint podcast series from Beyond Borders Scotland and the Britain Palestine Project.
Join Lara Bird-Leakey discuss everything that has happened in the Gaza genocide since the UK Parliament went into summer recess last month.
Four weeks isn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things, but the past 31 days have seen some of the most dramatic events in Palestine since the genocide began, and some of the most significant policy decisions here in the UK.
In this episode, Lara runs through the key updates from Palestine, Israel and the UK government and discusses the impact of having no parliamentary scrutiny on government decisions while recess is on.
What can we expect to happen once parliament sits again on the 1st of September?
Has the UK government run out of road issuing condemnatory statements to Israel?
Listen to the latest episode to find out.
Join Brian and Lara for Part 2 of "The UK government is failing Palestine".
In Part 2 Lara and Brian discuss the what the UK government should do in order to comply with their legal obligations to protect Palestinians, and consider that recognition of the state of Palestine is only just the beginning.
This episode was recorded whilst the UK government were in a cabinet meeting, deciding on their position on the recognition of Palestine. Brian and Lara have recorded a short, summary episode explaining exactly what the UK government has announced and what we are hoping to see moving forwards. You can catch that brief discussion here.
If you haven’t already, check out Part of of “International Law in Crisis? The UK government is failing Palestine” here.
And to understand the current political situation regarding recognition, see the summary of France’s recognition of Palestine - a challenge and an opportunity for the UK, here.
In this urgent and powerful episode of the Britain Palestine Project podcast, BPP Chair Andrew Whitley and Trustee Sir Vincent Fean, both with decades of diplomatic and international experience, offer reflections on Britain’s historic and current role in the Israel/Palestine crisis.
As the war on Gaza intensifies and settler violence escalates in the West Bank, our speakers explore:
• Why this is a defining political moment for Britain and the world
• What the UK government must do - beyond rhetoric - to uphold international law
• The case for recognising the State of Palestine, and why it's not ‘merely symbolic’
• How France, the ICJ, and new movements within civil society (including the launch of a new UK political party) are shifting the conversation
• The devastating consequences of British inaction, and what pressure points we can use now
They also discuss the tragic murder of Palestinian activist and friend of the BPP, Owda Hathaleen, and call for justice in the face of ongoing settler violence.
📢 Call to action:
• Email your MP
• Support the BPP’s campaigns
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Become a Friend of the Britain Palestine Project
• Share this episode and join the growing movement for justice and equal rights
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
👉 For more: britainpalestineproject.org
💥 Listen to our companion miniseries International Law in Crisis with Lara Bird-Leakey
#Palestine #InternationalLaw #IsraelGaza #HumanRights #UKPolitics #RecognisePalestine #EndTheOccupation #EqualRights #BPPPodcast #CeasefireNow #StopArmingIsrael
Listen to BPP Executive Director and genocide expert, Dr Brian Brivati, talk to Lara about how the UK government are legally and morally failing Palestinians.
What are the UK’s legal obligations to prevent genocide in Gaza?
Why aren’t they taking action?
Why are they just doing the bare minimum?
In Episode 5 Lara is joined by Dr Brian Brivati, Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, to discuss the legal basis for the UK government taking further action against Israel. Brain set out the position of the Britain Palestine Project in a call that we released last week.
The demands contained within the call are rooted in the Provisional Measures directed by the ICJ in the case of South Africa v Israel.
In this episode, Brian explains that all that the Britain Palestine Project are demanding is that the UK government do more than the bare minimum that is required by law - but that they still continue to fall short.
(The link to the Geneva Convention Common Article 1).
Listen along to hear more about what the Britain Palestine Project are demanding.
We hear from child psychotherapist Teresa Bailey, a founding member of the UK Palestine Mental Health Network. Drawing on decades of experience in children’s mental health services and recent advocacy with colleagues in Gaza, Theresa delivers a searing and compassionate account of what war does to a child’s mind and body.
Teresa explores the catastrophic mental health impact of Israel’s war on Gaza’s children. From trauma-induced mutism to the neurological effects of starvation, from shattered trust in parental safety to the impossibility of healing amid ongoing bombardment, this talk explains why this war is not just about land, but about destroying the very possibility of future generations.
Teresa shares the heart-wrenching questions asked by Palestinian children and uplifts the heroic work of Palestinian clinicians and the community's power of resilience.
This episode contains graphic themes and emotional content. Listener discretion advised.
Teresa Bailey is a semi-retired consultant child and adolescent psychotherapist. She has worked in the NHS for over 30 years, edited the Journal of Child Psychotherapy, and is now series editor for Independent Psychoanalytic Approaches with Children and Adolescents. She is a founding member of the UK Palestine Mental Health Network and leads a campaign for child psychotherapists to speak out against the genocide in Gaza.
Join Lara in this episode as she is joined by Dr Alonso Gurmendi, a LSE Fellow in Human Rights and a decolonisation expert. In his work, Alonso uses a critical approach to examine the state structures and ideologies which have perpetuated colonialism and have allowed for the illegal occupation and genocide of Gaza. Describing the world as “bombable” and “unbombable” areas, he explains that any meaningful conversation about Palestine must be centred first on the “human” before we can meaningfully talk about their “rights”.
Alonso has gone viral over recent months for his uncensored, candid, and digestible commentary of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and his ability to communicate the various ongoing international legal processes to a wide audience. For doing so, he has received much criticism, yet continues to be a pioneering voice in the academic world calling for justice for Palestinians.
In this conversation, Alonso explains how, through his exploration of different social media platforms, he is using academic writing and legal research to create engaging videos which deconstruct the genocide in Gaza - reaching audiences who would never read an academic paper, but who want to understand the historic and legal roots of the ongoing genocide. He cuts through mainstream media and calls out Palestinian racism and Zionist propaganda.
Live streaming ICJ public hearing’s, making video essays on genocide and commenting on the developments in domestic and international law and politics, Alonso is combating the mainstream narrative
Find Alonso:
On X: https://x.com/Alonso_GD
On Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/alonsogurmendi
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVUdcG6EoWXv9nksUf8eiQ
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/39wuN5ytvIrsbyrfReUGA2?si=d9fc3c4e364942db
Substack: https://britainpalestineproject.substack.com/
Website: https://britainpalestineproject.org/
*DISCLAIMER: views shared are of the individual guests, and do not necessarily represent the position of The Britain Palestine Project.
Professor Menachem Klein speaks on the radicalisation of Israeli society and its support for war crimes in Gaza. Klein, a veteran in unofficial Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and a signatory of the Geneva Agreement, discusses the historical and social transformations leading to the current conflict. He identifies three key structural changes in Israeli society: the establishment of an apartheid-like regime, elite transformation, and internal civil unrest. Klein suggests that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders have historically misjudged each other’s strengths and motivations, contributing to ongoing conflict. He emphasizes the need for a two-state solution based on equality and partnership, with open borders and shared sovereignty. The webinar also discusses the broader implications of U.S. support for Israeli policies and the potential undermining of international law. Audience questions cover a range of topics, including the right of return for Palestinians, the role of U.S. foreign policy, and strategies for influencing Israeli public opinion. Klein calls for increased civil society pressure on politicians and the development of new, collaborative solutions to the conflict.Prof. Menachem Klein is active in many unofficial negotiations with Palestinian counterparts. In October 2003 Prof. Klein signed together with prominent Israeli and Palestinian negotiators the Geneva Agreement – a detailed proposal for a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace accord. He is Senior Fellow in Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue and board member of Palestine – Israel Journal. Previously he was board member of B’tselem, The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
Dr. Dalal Iriqat; Raji Sourani; Dr. Zahira Jaser (Universityof Sussex); Dr. Victor Kattan (University of Nottingham).