Speaker: Susie Becher, Communications Director, Policy Working Group (PWG)
*Hosted by the Britain Palestine Project
In this wide-ranging and deeply insightful conversation, Susie Becher — Communications Director of the Policy Working Group (PWG), founding member of All Its Citizens, managing editor of the Palestine-Israel Journal, longtime activist, and former US Embassy analyst — explores the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the failures of diplomacy, and the urgent need for international engagement to secure a just two-state solution.
Susie reflects on her 50 years in Israel, her work across civil society and political organisations, and the motivations guiding the PWG’s advocacy. She gives a candid, nuanced analysis of Israeli politics, the post-October 7th reality, and the dangers posed by current geopolitical dynamics — including the US administration’s shifting policies and the rise of anti-democratic tendencies within Israel.
A central highlight of the webinar is Susie’s detailed account of the PWG’s recent advocacy trip to the UK, where they met with parliamentarians, Foreign Office officials, think tanks, civil society actors, and Middle East analysts to discuss recognition of Palestine, protecting international law, and countering the growing marginalisation of the two-state solution.
In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Humza Yousaf, former First Minister of Scotland and long-time advocate for Palestinian rights, joins host Diana Safieh for an honest, urgent and deeply personal discussion about the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine, what must come next, and how Britain can no longer look away from its historic and present responsibilities.
Humza reflects on:
Why recognition is only the start and what concrete steps the UK must take now — including an immediate halt to arms sales to Israel, meaningful sanctions, and suspension of the UK-Israel trade agreement.
His family’s personal story, including the displacement of his wife’s grandmother during the Nakba, her life in Gaza, and the pain of her exile and passing last month in Istanbul.
How dehumanisation enables genocide, and why continued public pressure is essential as Gaza slips from the news cycle.
The crisis of global leadership and how failure to uphold international law anywhere erodes its power everywhere.
Why the UK’s position is hypocritical, recognising Palestine in principle while arming a state condemned by the ICJ for apartheid and led by a man sought by the ICC.
Where public opinion is shifting, especially among younger generations in the UK and the US, and why politicians remain far behind.
How citizens can influence MPs, especially those “on the fence”, and why mobilisation ahead of the 2026 elections will be crucial.
The West Bank, the rise in settler violence, and what justice demands for 700,000+ illegal settlers in any future settlement.
The release of Palestinian political prisoners, including Marwan Barghouti, and what equitable Palestinian leadership might look like.
Rebuilding Palestinian institutions, including universities, hospitals and governance structures—and why Palestinians, not the West, must lead.
His own future plans, from nurturing the next generation of global leaders to countering the far right and helping rebuild Gaza’s higher education sector.
Throughout, Humza offers clarity, compassion and a grounded path forward—rooted in justice, equal rights and Palestinian self-determination.
On Monday 17th November the UNSC published Resolution 2803 - authorising the International Stabilisation Force and backing the US ‘Comprehensive Plan to end the Conflict in Gaza’.
In doing so the UNSC welcomed the Board of Peace and stipulated that they must cooperate with international organisations such as the UN. However, the legal grounding of the Board is questionable, and their remit undefined.
There are three key issues that we have identified with the UNSC:
It does not mention or reference any previous UN Resolutions,
It seems to confirm the reality of the “yellow line” - accepting the holding of 58% of Gaza by the Israeli’s, and
The legal confirmation of Palestinian’s inalienable right to self-determination.
To read a more detail assessment of what is missing from UNSC Resolution 2803, read the article here.
In this episode Lara and Brian discuss their concerns with the UNSC Resolution and the reality of what this means for Palestinian’s in Gaza, as well as for the UN itself.
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.