Ep 129: Writing is Resistance – with Dr Yousef Aljamal

Sarah is joined by Dr Yousef Aljamal on his visit to Ireland as Gaza co-ordinator at the American Friends Service Committee.  This discussion focuses on writing as a form of resistance from the perspective of a Palestinian growing up in Gaza at the hands of Israeli apartheid and oppression.  Dr Aljamal, in a candid conversation, shares how the genocide and decades of aggression impacted his family, friends and neighbours, focusing in particular on his mentor, colleague and friend – renowned Gaza poet – Refaat Alareer, author of ‘If I must Die.’

Yousef is a Palestinian writer, translator, and a refugee from Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. He recently completed his PhD at the Middle East Institute at Sakarya University. He also serves as the Gaza Coordinator for AFSC, supporting humanitarian work, peacebuilding, and advocacy for justice.

He is co-host of the PalCast podcast alongside Tony Groves, where they explore Palestinian history, politics, and lived experience through long-form conversations.

His writing spans both academic publications and international media platforms, including Al Jazeera, where he brings critical insight into the realities of life in Gaza. His work centres on Palestinian literature, resistance, and the lived realities of life under occupation and siege. Having endured multiple wars in Gaza, he brings both intellectual depth and lived experience to international audiences.

Central to this visit is his co-edited book, ‘If I Must Die’, a powerful collection honouring the life and legacy of Refaat Alareer—the Gaza poet, teacher, and mentor killed in an Israeli airstrike in December 2023.

The book takes its title from Alareer’s final poem, which has resonated globally as a testament to dignity, resistance, and the enduring power of words in the face of violence. Through poetry, essays, and reflections, it amplifies Palestinian voices and preserves cultural memory amid ongoing devastation.

Further reading:

• Al Jazeera articles: https://www.aljazeera.com/author/yousef-m-aljamal
• Academic profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PD3iv-MAAAAJ&hl=en
• AFSC- https://afsc.org/ 

Links to 'If I Must Die'

• https://orbooks.com/catalog/if-i-must-die/ 

• https://inthesetimes.com/article/refaat-alareer-israeli-occupation-palestine 

• https://www.amazon.co.uk/If-Must-Die-Poetry-Prose/dp/1682196216