The Wire with Castor

Antony Lowenstein is a Jewish-Australian Journalist and Author who has reported on Palestine for many years and at the beginning of this year published a book titled the Palestine Laboratory. 

The book looked at how Israel has been, for many years, testing military and surveillance equipment on Palestinians. 

Rawan spoke to him months ago about the book and today they discussed the current Israel and Palestine conflict.

Rawan started off by asking him about his time living in occupied Palestine from 2016 to 2020 and what Palestine was like before October 7th. 

They then discussed the content of his book and the way it links to the United States’ support of Israel. 

They then talked about Western mainstream media coverage of the issue as well as his view on pro-Palestine marches as someone who is part of the jewish community.

Host Rawan spoke to Green Party MP, Ricardo Menendez March, about election results, Waiheke ferry services, and their attendance at pro Palestine marches.

She also spoke with author and journalist, Antony Loewenstein, about Palestine before the current war and Israel’s connections with the west.

And she chatted to Senior Lecturer in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, Dr Anna Serlachius, about discrimination against diabetes patients.

Producer Olivia spoke to ActionStation’s climate spokesperson, Pania Rei (Ngāti Toa Rangatira), about climate justice and the importance of including indigenous perspectives. 

She also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Education and Development Manager, Joanna Turner, about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 

This week, a patient reportedly waited four-and-a-half months for an urgent MRI scan at Dunedin Hospital. 

News and Editorial Director Jessica Hopkins spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton about this incident and what they believe it indicates about the current state of our health system? 

They also discussed the incoming government's proposed tax cuts and how this might affect investment in health.

Thanks for tuning in! E whai akei nei, on the show today…

Rosetta spoke to Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa, about their call for New Zealand and Australian governments to endorse the Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific

She also spoke to Speaking to Susan St John, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland's Business School about The future of child poverty under a National Government and their goal to halve child poverty by 2028

Rosetta also spoke to Climate Justice Taranaki's Tuhi-Ao Bailey about the blockades of major dairy, gas, and fertiliser companies on the anniversary of the invasion of Parihaka on 5 November 1881 last week.

For our weekly catch up with the ACT party, Lou spoke with ACT MP Simon Court about any updates towards the coalition between National, ACT, and NZ First, as well as ACTs response to Chlöe Swarbick’s use of the Chant “From the River to the Sea” when calling for Palestinian liberation.

Lou also spoke with Jane Alsweiler, associate professor and neo-natal paediatrician at the University of Auckland in regards to RSV drug funding.