BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Miriam and Youssef

Podcasts

Drama: Relationships & Romance

A 10-part drama about the founding of Israel

A 10-part drama about the founding of Israel.  Miriam is a Jewish immigrant to Palestine, and Youssef is an Arab inhabitant driven into exile.

A 10-part drama about the founding of Israel. Miriam is a Jewish immigrant to Palestine, and Youssef is an Arab inhabitant driven into exile. At the heart of it all is the city of Jerusalem.

Miriam and Youssef: Miriam and Youssef: Ep 6. The Death Ships

Factual

03/06/2020 GMT

Ep 6. The Death Ships

BBC World Service - Miriam and Youssef, Miriam and Youssef, Ep 6. The Death Ships

1942. The British refuse to allow boatloads of war refugees to land in Palestine

1942. Thousands of European Jews attempt to flee persecution from war in unsuitable boats. The British refuse permission for them to land in Palestine. Episode six of the drama.

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

Miriam and Youssef: Miriam and Youssef

BBC World Service

A ten part drama exploring the founding of Israel.

An epic ten-part drama charts the turbulent decades leading up to the founding of Israel.

Miriam and Youssef, a ten part series for the BBC World Service, dramatising the tragic history of the founding of Israel.  Driving it is a dual narrative, told by two former neighbours: Miriam, a Jewish Immigrant to Palestine and Youssef, a Palestinian Arab driven into exile in 1948 - both asking the question, ‘how did we get here?’.  
At its heart is the city of Jerusalem, during the three decades of the British Mandate, represented by a third core character Harry Lister, an idealistic colonial official avid to implement the ‘Balfour Declaration’ but increasingly disenchanted with its implications. 
The history of the creation of Israel is a story of triumph and disaster, of attacks and reprisals, of good intentions and misunderstandings. The series highlights the fact that at one moment one group may rejoice while another despairs. Although Big Events are taking place, both in Palestine and across the world during this period, and although it includes some important historical characters and epic scenes of riot and battle, the story is told through the intimate personal experiences of Miriam and Youssef and their families.

Although the series is fictional, it is based on fact. Every effort has been made to ensure that the series is culturally, linguistically and historically accurate.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Miriam and Youssef

Miriam and Youssef

Ep 6. The Death Ships

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service