EP#353 | GUEST | From Zionist Legacy to Palestinian Solidarity: Miko Peled
📄 Episode Overview
In Episode #353, Ray sits down with Miko Peled, a former Israeli Special Forces soldier turned prominent Palestinian rights activist. The conversation spans Miko’s personal evolution from a member of one of Israel’s most elite Zionist families to founding the Palestine House of Freedom in Washington, D.C. They dive deep into Zionism, the historical roots of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the influence of Western politics and religion, and why Miko advocates for a one-state solution. This episode offers one of the most raw and transformative insights into the geopolitics of the Middle East.
🎯 Key Takeaways
• Miko’s transformation was sparked by personal tragedy and deep interfaith dialogue.
• Zionism and Judaism are distinct, and conflating them perpetuates harmful ideologies.
• Western religious and political narratives have fueled the normalization of occupation and genocide.
🧠 Summary
Miko Peled shares his remarkable journey from growing up immersed in Zionist ideology to becoming a vocal advocate for Palestinian liberation. Born into a family that helped shape the modern Israeli state, Miko’s worldview dramatically shifted following the tragic loss of his niece in a suicide bombing. Rather than turning inward, he sought out Palestinian voices, joined Jewish-Palestinian dialogue groups, and began reexamining Israel’s founding myths. He now operates the Palestine House of Freedom in D.C., working to educate and advocate for justice.
Ray and Miko unpack the weaponization of religion, the complicity of U.S. foreign policy, and the media narratives that obscure Palestinian suffering. Miko offers a sobering, evidence-backed critique of Israeli policies and U.S. support, warning that what’s happening in Gaza and beyond constitutes genocide—not a conflict.
🔎 Practical Tips
• Engage in dialogue with people whose stories challenge your assumptions.
• Read historical narratives from both sides to better understand the full context.
• Use specific language: distinguish Zionism from Judaism to avoid conflation.
📚 Research Spotlight
Miko references the work of Israel’s “new historians” who accessed state archives in the early 2000s, confirming that a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing occurred between 1947–1949. Their findings support long-standing Palestinian accounts of the Nakba.
❓FAQ
Q: Why does Miko reject the two-state solution?
A: He believes it legitimizes apartheid and ignores the right of return and equal rights for Palestinians. He advocates for one democratic state with full rights for all inhabitants.
⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps
• 00:00 – Opening & Welcome
• 02:00 – Miko’s Bio and Zionist Family Legacy
• 06:00 – The Turning Point: Personal Tragedy and Dialogue
• 10:45 – New Historians and the Nakba Revisited
• 16:30 – Zionism vs. Judaism
• 26:00 – Netanyahu, Likud, and Israeli Politics
• 33:00 – Racism and Gaza’s Genocide
• 43:00 – Resistance Movements and U.S. Complicity
• 49:00 – The Destruction of Palestinian History
• 55:00 – Hope, Advocacy, and Final Reflections
🧭 Final Thought
Miko’s story reminds us that change is possible—even when it means standing against your roots. Truth, when met with courage, can be transformative.
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