Growing Up as the Daughter of a Palestinian Martyr | Raeda Taha (Arabic Episode)
From Tarwida · 1:04:01
Show by Tarwida
At the age of seven, Palestinian writer and actress Raeda Taha lost her father, Ali Taha, during a plane hijacking operation bound for Tel Aviv. Overnight, she became the daughter of a martyr, an identity that would shape much of her life. Through her plays, Taha challenges the idealization of martyrs, making space for the grief, humour, and everyday struggles of the families they leave behind. We discuss her first original play “Alaki Zayak Fein Ya Ali” and the question that followed her for years: who did her father love more, his daughters or Palestine? Reflecting on her years working with Yasser Arafat, her friendship with Mahmoud Darwish, and her eventual discovery of theatre in her forties, Taha explains how a lifetime of experiences became the material for her work. Finally, we discuss the relationship between Palestinian liberation and women's liberation, the role of art in resistance, and the freedom Taha finds in performing. The episode closes with her aunt Suhaila, who could neither read nor write, and how she confronted Henry Kissinger to recover her brother’s body. This episode was recorded in Arabic on September 25th, 2026. You can watch the episode with English subtitles on YouTube here. This episode is hosted by Tala Elissa. Our associate producers are Zeena Shehadeh and Ahmed Ashour. Lead producer is Tala Elissa. Executive producer is Zina Jardaneh. Social media by Lara Dihmis. Social media VO by Afaf Shawwa Bibi. Research and copywriting by Dima Sharif. Branding by Sara Sukhun. Theme music includes excerpts from Clarissa Bitar, The Popular Art Centre - مركز الفن الشعبي & Rim Banna. Tarwida is a series of conversations that bring Palestinian arts, culture, and heritage to the forefront. We hear from artists, including writers, filmmakers, musicians, architects, and more, about their very own Palestine. In a nutshell, if you want to know more about (Creative) Palestine, this is the place to be. Follow us on socials @tarwidapodcast Relevant links & resources: Follow Raeda Taha on Instagram @raedataha Learn more about the rituals of the Palestinian wedding Read more about Palestinian plane hijackers Watch Al Jazeera’s docuseries about the PLO Learn more about the Hebron massacre in 1994
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