Laila El-Haddad

✨Special thanks to our sponsors: Palestine Drinks Shop: https://www.palestinedrinksshop.com/ | @palestinedrinks_shop on Instagram Visualizing Palestine: https://visualizingpalestine.org/ | @visualizing_palestine on Instagram 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 the 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 host, @DrEdHasan, explores Laila’s reflections on navigating borders, the challenges of motherhood under occupation, and how food becomes an act of storytelling and resistance. 🎧 For all things Sumud: Listen now: https://sumudpod.com ➡️ Follow our guest: Laila El-Haddad: @gazamom ➡️ Follow our host: Dr. Ed Hasan: @DrEdHasan ➡️ Special thanks to Zeina Ashrawi 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices