TSJP Episode 1 Finding Friendship in the Midst of Genocide - Mohammed (Gaza) and Isabella (Sydney)

[***Please note we had some technical difficulties with this Episode due to internet lag in Northern Gaza***]

In the inaugural episode of The Seeking Justice Podcast™, host Benedict Blogs engages with guests Mohammed Abo Mansour and Isabella Kershaw to discuss forming an international friendship in the midst of Genocide and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Mohammed talks about being a professional and freelancer in Gaza before and after October 7th and shares his harrowing experiences of living through genocide/war, the destruction of his home, and the challenges of continuing his education amidst chaos. Isabella, who has been supporting Mohammed from Australia, highlights the importance of their friendship and the efforts to raise funds for his family. The conversation sheds light on the dire conditions in Gaza, including food shortages and the psychological toll of war, while emphasizing the resilience and spirit of those affected. In this conversation, Mohammed Abo Mansour shares his harrowing experiences living in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict, detailing personal losses and the challenges of finding work as a freelancer in a war-torn region. The discussion also touches on the psychological impact of trauma on activists and the importance of art and expression in times of crisis. The participants emphasize the need for global solidarity and support for those affected by the conflict, highlighting the resilience of individuals like Mohammed who continue to strive for a better future despite overwhelming odds.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Seeking Justice Podcast
05:11 Introducing our guests - Mohammed in Gaza and Isabella in Sydney
08:26 Life in Gaza - Mohammed's Story
12:20 Building a Global Friendship in the Midst of Genocide
16:39 Fundraising and Support Efforts from Australia
18:32 Positive Contribution of Refugees to Our Economies
20:21 Censorship issues with GoFundMe, LinkedIn, UpWork etc
21:19 The Situation on The Ground in Northern Gaza
22:43 The Humanitarian Crisis: Food and Resources
24:44 The Ruins of Mohammed's Family Home Destroyed in an Israeli Airstrike
25:03 Personal Experiences of War and Trauma
30:54 Gaming as a Refuge and Connection
35:08 The Impact of Conflict on Identity
35:51 Rebuilding Lives Amidst Destruction
36:51 The Role of Technology in Warfare
37:35 Surviving the Assault: Personal Accounts
44:31 Multiple Near Death Experiences and The Struggles of Medical Care in Conflict Zones
47:40 The Human Cost of War
48:42 Bombed while Burying Murdered Family Members
52:08 Challenges of Freelancing in Gaza - Discrimination by Major Platforms
58:30 Who are the real terrorists? U-S-A! U-S-A!
59:15 A Call to Action - Companies and CEOs Step Up to Sponsor Professionals from Gaza
01:01:04 Vicarious Trauma in Activism
01:02:41 Reflections on Historical Inaction, Apathy and the Banality of Evil (ie Evil Thrives when Good People Stand By and do Nothing)
01:05:41 A Call to Action - The Power of Taking Action
01:07:32 Poetic Inspirations from Palestine - Dreams and Aspirations Amidst Adversity
01:08:58 A Football-Full Future for Mohammed
01:12:24 Poetry as a Reflection of Struggle: "The Second Coming" William Butler Yates
01:14:50 Dystopian Israeli Drone Warfare Interruption and a Not-So-Ceasefire
01:17:54 Hope and Resilience in the Face of Death, Devastation and Despair "If I Must Die" by Refaat Alareer
01:18:42 Call to Action - Put Refaat Alareer’s posthumous collection of poetry and prose a global bestseller

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