“I've never had an M16 pointed at me before. After just one hour in Bil'in! The Palestinians I met weren't terrorists but human beings — kind, resilient, and oppressed — fighting for the most basic right of all: freedom. What shocked me most was the deep-rooted racism among the majority of Israelis — a society taught to dehumanize Palestinians.” – Robert Martin, Bil'in, West Bank (2014)
In Episode 54 of The Enlightenment Podcast, Shamim and Hanan are joined by Robert Martin, the Australian filmmaker and activist who went from being anti-Palestinian to risking detention and psychological torture for breaking the Gaza blockade. Together, we explore Robert’s extraordinary transformation, his frontline experiences in Palestine, and his unflinching commitment to justice.
Robert was detained and tortured by Israeli forces in July 2024 during the Handler Humanitarian Mission. Once a real estate professional with little awareness of Palestine, his first visit to Bil’in changed everything. Since then, Robert has become a leading voice exposing Israel’s occupation and brutality, reaching millions worldwide through his films and activism—despite facing ongoing threats for speaking truth to power.
This episode is not just about Robert’s story—it is about awakening, the price of resistance, and why solidarity with Palestine is a moral imperative for us all.
Robert Martin’s Social Media:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/robert_martin_palestine_/?hl=en
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/robert.martin.767615/
X (Twitter) → https://x.com/Robert_Martin72?
Books mentioned:
The 51 Day War by Max Blumenthal → https://www.amazon.com/51-Day-War-Ruin-Resistance/dp/156858511X
The Enlightenment Podcast Social Media:
https://feedlinks.link/enlightenmentpodcast
#TheEnlightenmentPodcast #RobertMartin #FreePalestine #EndTheOccupation #PalestinianLiberation #GazaSiege #HandlerMission #TruthToPower #ExposeApartheid #JusticeForPalestine