Episodes
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1948. The final episode of the epic drama. With the UN voting to establish a Jewish state, Israel is born – but the new state comes under attack from its Arab neighbours. The final episode of the epic drama series.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
The Palestinian woman: Nathalie Armin
Other parts: Heather Craney, Clive Hayward and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
The epic drama series continues. 1948. Miriam and Youssef try to hold on to their ideals of peace as violence erupts following the UN vote for the partition of Palestine, and Deir Yassin comes under attack.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
The Haganath Major: Clive Hayward
Other parts: Hasan Dixon, Steve Waters and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Missing episodes?
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1947. A vote is due to take place at the UN, proposing that Palestine be divided into two states, with Jerusalem held under international jurisdiction. But this does not meet with everyone’s approval. The drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
Other parts: Jessica Turner, Steve Waters and Sargon Yelda
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
Episode seven of the drama. 1946. Elected headman of Deir Yassin Youssef promises peace with their kibbutz neighbours. Meanwhile, a bomb has been placed in British headquarters - the King David Hotel.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Hasan Dixon and Clive Hayward
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
1942. Thousands of European Jews attempt to flee persecution from war in unsuitable boats - but the British refuse permission for them to land in Palestine. Meanwhile, Miriam takes up the armed struggle in earnest. Episode six of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mohammed: Ramzi Dehani
Menachim Begin: Daniel Rabin
Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
1936. Arabs declare a general strike and a dangerous armed uprising begins, while Miriam finds herself drawn to take more direct action against the British. The epic drama continues.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
McMasters: Neil McCaul
Other parts played by Sargon Yelda, Hasan Dixon and members of the cast
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
1934. Youssef visits his father in prison – a visit that will change his life forever
Meanwhile Miriam, with her mentor Rabbi Judah Magnes, is working for a ‘one nation, two states’ solution. Episode 4 of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo
Musa Alami: Sargon Yelda
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
Other parts: Jessica Turner and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
1929. The drama series continues. Tensions boil in Jerusalem. Arabs and Jews feel they are being denied access to holy sites. Both take to the streets in protest - and the ruling British seem powerless to prevent blood being spilt in the holy city.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam: Shani Erez
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Young Miriam: Ava Merson-O’Brien
Young Youssef: Jo Ben Ayed
Sara: Jessica Turner
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr
Zahra: Lara Sawalha
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo
Major Dennis: Clive Hayward
Judah Magnes: Neil McCaul
The Rabbi: Elliot Levey
Other parts: Heather Craney and Hasan Dixon
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound design: Caleb Knightley
Produced by Radio Drama London for BBC World Service -
1925. Miriam and her mother move into a new kibbutz close to Jerusalem and find Yehoshua, also a Jewish refugee from Europe. Miriam and Youssef meet - two young people from across the divide. But Yehoshua distrusts the Arabs and threatens Youssef, his father and his uncle. Harry finds Youssef work. Episode two of the drama.
Written by Steve Waters.
CAST
Youssef: Amir El-Masry
Miriam: Shani Erez
Young Miriam: Ava Merson-O’Brien
Young Youssef: Jo Ben Ayed
Sara: Jessica Turner
Yehoshua: Philip Arditti
Ben-Gurion: Elliot Levey
Abu Khalid: Rami Nasr
Umm Khalid: Sirine Saba
Harry Lister: Blake Ritson
Mahmoud: Daniel Rabin
The Mufti: Dana Haqjoo
Major Dennis: Clive Hayward
Other parts: Heather Craney and Neil McCaul
Original music: Glenn Sharp
Sound designer: Caleb Knightley
This episode was updated on 11 May 2020. -
1917. The British enter Palestine, after supporting a homeland for the Jewish people there. Young Youssef Bannourah and his family befriend Harry Lister, a newly arrived British civil servant. He takes up residence in their village of Deir Yassin. Meanwhile, young Miriam and her mother Sara flee Jewish persecution in Poland, and make their way by sea to Palestine. Episode one of a 10-part drama about the founding of Israel.
Written by Steve Waters
CAST
Miriam ….. Shani Erez
Youssef ….. Amir El-Masry
Young Miriam ….. Ava Merson-O’Brien
Young Youssef ….. Rafi Essex
Young Zahra ….. Nikhita Essex
Harry Lister ….. Blake Ritson
Sara ….. Jessica Turner
Abu Khalid ….. Rami Nasr
Umm Khalid ….. Sirine Saba
Mahmoud ….. Daniel Rabin
Other parts ….. Neil McCaul, Clive Hayward and Hasan Dixon
Original music ….. Glenn Sharp
Sound Design …. Caleb Knightley
This episode was updated on 11 May 2020. -
An epic ten-part podcast drama series from the BBC World Service charts the turbulent decades leading up to the founding of Israel.
