Family physician and activist, Dr. Yipeng Ge answers questions about his current journey from deck of the Handala. The humanitarian aid vessel is the latest attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break the naval blockade on Gaza by sea - something activists have been trying to do since at least 2007.

We ask Dr. Ge why he's chosen to travel to Italy and take the risk of engaging with Israeli forces, and what he hopes to get out of it all.

We also get to find out what it takes to prepare for and execute such a complex action, under such dangerous conditions. But despite all the risks being taken, Dr. Ge repeatedly refocuses the discussion back to those taking the most risks - Palestinians fighting for liberation, as well as migrants crossing the very same waters.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Ways to help the Freedom Flotilla Coalition

Related Episodes:

• Student Hunger Strikes: Only a Matter of Time, is an interview with UBC and UBCO students using another extreme form of activism to add to the pressure for a free Palestine.
• Answering the Call: West Bank. A discussion with jewish labour activist, Anna Lippman about her travels to the occupied territories to act as a protective presence against illegal settler violence.

More Resources:

• Track the Handala
• CBC: Israel Fires on Aid Trucks, Kills 59
• Freedom Flotilla Coalition
• Partial List of Items Prohibited/Permitted into the Gaza Strip | Public Intelligence
• More on the Blockade

📺YOU CAN CATCH US LIVE EVERY FRIDAY AT 12pm E.T. on our YouTube Channel.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon

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Journalist, author and activist Yves Engler talks about his recent announcement to run for Leader of Canada's NDP and what he's expecting to achieve from what is likely to be a contentious endeavor.

Will the NDP, notorious now for their mistreatment of activists, even allow Yves to run? What kind of barriers does he expect will be put in his way? How will he handle it?

What is the driving force behind Engler's run? What impact does he think he would have as the leader of a Party with only seven (7) seats? He answers all these questions and more with a candor we typically don't expect from politicians.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action:

Related Episodes:

• Inside the NDP, an entire playlist of interviews and exposés on Canada's c-called progressive political institution.
• Trying to Silence Yves Engler (March 2025) A discussion with Yves on his arrest and detention at the hands of Montreal Police.

More Resources:

• Referenced in Discussion: NDP Position on NATO 5 per cent commitment
• NDP Socialist Caucus Announcement
• Why I’m running for leadership of NDP - Yves Engler

📺YOU CAN CATCH US LIVE EVERY FRIDAY AT 12pm E.T. on our YouTube Channel.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon

Follow us on Instagram or on Bluesky

What will it take for the Canadian government to recognize what is happening in Palestine as a genocide? This growing coalition aims to find out.

Three members of United Against Genocide join the studio to explain why that key word matters so much, and what they're doing to add to the pressure politicians must be feeling at this point. They share what its been like meeting with high ranking officials, and what their expectations of new PM Carney were heading into the G7.

They openly challenge the notion that this is simply a humanitarian crisis that needs better handling or funding by exposing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's role in this horrific stage of the genocide.

Guests:

• Dr. Ben Thompson, healthcare provider and cofounder of Eyewitness Gaza. Ben has visited Gaza almost annually since 2012 and been suspended from his job for advocating for peace.
• Dorotea Gucciardo, Ph.D, Director of Development for GLIA, and cofounder of Eyewitness Gaza.
• Alex Neve, International Human Rights lawyer and former Secretary General for Amnesty International Canada.

Hosted by: Jessa McLean

Call to Action: Tell PM Carney to Stop Covering for Israel (PETITION)

Related Episodes:

• Courage Needed to Advocate for Palestine (October 6, 2023) with activist and scholar Ghada Sasa on navigating Parliament Hill for Palestine.
• Disrupting Politics (December 20, 2023) with Dimitri Lascaris. A discussion on the role our politicians play and how they can be held accountable.

More Resources:

• UN Resolutions on Genocide Prevention
• CBC: Dr. Ben Thompon Doxxed and Suspended for Palestinian Posts
• Israeli, US-backed Gaza aid group must end, say 130 charities
• Media Advisory: United Against Genocide

📺YOU CAN CATCH US LIVE EVERY FRIDAY AT 12pm E.T. on our YouTube Channel.

All of our content is free - made possible by the generous sponsorships of our Patrons. If you would like to support our work through monthly contributions: Patreon