A content warning for this episode, we’re going to be talking about the past and present of Palestine, which may be difficult for some listeners to hear. Discretion is advised. 

Over the next two weeks, we’re playing stories from a radio project from the Aida Refugee Camp in the West Bank, Palestine. It’s called Radio Lajee.

It began in 2008, when Australian media worker Daz Chandler visited the camp and equipped young people with the recorders and the skills to create radio. 

You’re going to hear from Amal, one of the young people who made a story with Radio Lajee back in 2008. Amal will speak about her life growing up in the camp. 

Throughout her interview, we’ve interwoven stories from Radio Lajee - first stories about the everyday, and then next week we’ll hear stories about history and resistance. 

In order, you'll hear: 

The Camp, Way Back When by Layan Azza

This story features a Palestinian man’s memories of being forcibly displaced from his village in 1948 during the Nakba, and his arrival at Aida Refugee Camp. He is being interviewed by his granddaughter, who still lives in the camp. He describes the initial temporary nature of the camp, and it’s original population of 160 refugees. 

Four generations of Palestinians have since lived in the camp. The tents have given way to concrete housing and infrastructure. And a population of over 5000 people. 

This story mentions UNRWA. UNRWA was established in 1949 as a dedicated UN entity to support over 700,000 Palestinians displaced by the 1948 Nakba. UNRWA continues to provide education, health, and social support services to Palestinian refugees. 

A Day In The Life by Saja Ajarma

Amal’s Kitchen by Amal Abu Srour

The Cats and the Wall by Mohammad Waleed

This last story features descriptions of the apartheid wall, built by Israel in 2005. In 2004 the ICJ issued an advisory opinion that the wall’s construction was contrary to international law, deviating from the former boundary established after the 1967 war. 

Next week, we have more stories from Radio Lajee and Amal about Palestinian Storytelling as remembering and resisting -  hit subscribe, follow or tune in next week wherever you listen to All The Best to hear their stories.

Special thanks to Amal Abu Srour and Daz Chandler. You can listen to more stories from Radio Lajee  at www.radiolajee.com or look out for Daz’s article in Overland at www.overland.org

Further Resources:

- APAN: https://apan.org.au/resources/ 

- PARA: https://para.org.au/give-support/ 

- Calls To Action Palestine Toolkit: https://palestinetoolkit.org/ 

All The Best Credits

Executive Producer: Phoebe Adler-Ryan

Editorial Producer: Melanie Bakewell

Host: Madhuraa Prakash

Mixed by Emma Higgins

Image Credit: Daz Chandler at Aida Refugee Camp