G'day friends and thanks for subscribing to the Radio Reversal newsletter!
Apologies that this one is coming a week late: I had a baby a few months ago and our little family just took our first trip up to visit my parents on Yuibera country in north queensland, so podcast uploads took a little hiatus! We've also been making some changes to our podcasting format after a few recent conversations with listeners (you!) who suggested that more regular and shorter episodes from us would make it easier to listen each week. While we'll definitely still be sharing the occasional long-form show, I'll also be sharing some shorter episodes over the coming weeks and I'd love to hear what you think of that format!
This week, I wanted to share an episode that feels especially timely - my interview with our wonderful friend and comrade Sam Woripa Watson about their decision to join the Global Sumud Flotilla. For those of you who don't already know Sam, they are a Birri Gubba and Wangeriburrah activist and film-maker who grew up in the Brisbane Black movement here in Magan-djin. Sam is an active organiser and agitator for Indigenous justice and land back (both here in so-called australia, and across the globe). Sam has been a crucial part of the Justice for Palestine Magan-djin coalition, and a key organiser in struggles against local engineering firm Ferra Engineering who supply parts for the F-35 bombers used by the Israeli Occupation Forces against the people of Gaza. Most recently, Sam joined hundreds of other activists, health care workers, lawyers, human rights activists, writers, film-makers, and community workers on board a flotilla of vessels that set sail from Italy, aiming to deliver both much-needed humanitarian aid and global media attention to the people of Gaza.
When Sam and I first spoke, they were in Italy waiting to embark on the flotilla mission. In the weeks since this interview first aired, Sam's vessel was intercepted by the Israeli Occupation Forces and Sam and his comrades were taken hostage by the Israeli government. They suffered significant abuse at the hands of the Israeli government, including physical and psychological torture, sexual assault and withholding of food, water, sleep, and adequate shelter. Sam was released after almost 4 days in custody, and spoke to Darumbal and South Sea Islander journalist and writer Amy McQuire for Black Justice Journalism about his experiences. You can read that full account here: https://www.blackwitness.com/p/this-is-the-most-violent-experience
In this episode of the podcast, I take us back to Sam's initial optimism and excitement about participating in the flotilla and the work they hoped to do. I also share a short interview I recorded with Subhi Awad, one of the spokespeople for the Global Sumud Flotilla here in so-called australia, after we heard the news that Sam's vessel had been intercepted by the IOF and that he had been taken into detention. Over the coming weeks we'll continue sharing updates from Sam and his comrades as they return home, so keep your ears open for more on this story!
Episode 25: The Global Sumud Flotilla with Sam Woripa Watson
For our listeners in Magan-djin, so-called brisbane, Sam's friends and family have invited other activists and organisers to join them in welcoming Sam home on Tuesday 26th May 2026 at 5pm. Organisers will gather at the Brisbane Domestic Airport Terminal and encourage everyone attending to wear their keffiyahs and to bring along Palestinian and Aboriginal flags and posters to properly welcome Sam home. You can find details here: https://www.facebook.com/justiceforpalestinebrisbane
And a reminder to subscribe to this newsletter to make sure that you never miss an episode of the Radio Reversal podcast! Next week we'll be heading back to Gaza to share an interview from the Radio Reversal archives with Palestinian psychiatrist, human rights activist and writer, Dr. Samah Jabr. I spoke to Samah when she was touring so-called australia in 2025 to share her new book Radiance in Pain and Resilience and I think the conversation deserves a second life here on the podcast. It's a powerful, heavy and vital discussion of mental health care in the conditions of continuing colonial occupation and brutalisation, and asks the crucial question: is it really possible to be "well" if you're living under siege?
Until next week, thanks for listening!
Anna (for the Radio Reversal Collective)
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