Palestinian lives in the occupied West Bank

From Our Own Correspondent

BBC

News, News Commentary

4.4 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 27 September 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

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Summary

Kate Adie presents stories from the occupied West Bank, the US, Brazil, South Korea and Russia.

When the UK government recognised a Palestinian state, he said he was acting “to revive the hope of peace and a two-state solution.” But Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the move won’t “bind Israel in any way.” Our Middle East Correspondent, Yolande Knell has been to Bethlehem to hear about Palestinians doubts and demands.

At the UN General Assembly this week, Donald Trump took to the stage and gave a scathing speech. He claimed UN predictions on climate change were wrong and criticised its assistance of asylum seekers. Mr Trump has never been shy in attacking political opponents – but it's a trend that seems to have stepped up a gear since he returned to the White House, says Anthony Zurcher in Washington.

Our correspondent, Ione Wells, recently met the Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva as he contemplates a re-election run next year. His arch-rival, Jair Bolsonaro faces a hefty prison sentence after his conviction for plotting a military coup. But, she finds, he remains a potent force.

City authorities in South Korea's capital, Seoul, have launched a five-year initiative aimed at tackling a growing loneliness epidemic. They've set up a cluster of new community centres, designed in the style of the city’s ubiquitous convenience stores to make it easier to interact. Jake Kwon paid one a visit.

Russia was banned from participating in the Eurovision song contest after its invasion of Ukraine. So, President Putin decided to revive the Soviet-era song-fest Intervision. Steve Rosenberg was in Moscow for the final.

Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinator: Rosie Strawbridge Editors: Lisa Baxter and Richard Fenton-Smith

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello. Today, Donald Trump seems determined to stymie his detractors. Is the Republican president adopting the council culture he claims to detest? We meet Brazil's President Lula as he contemplates his re-election chances next year.
0:23.0	His art rival is facing time in prison, but his influence remains potent.
0:28.3	In South Korea, cafe culture has taken a different turn.
0:32.4	A new initiative is using convenience stores to help people combat loneliness.
0:40.0	And finally, displays of patriotism abound at Intervision, Russia's answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. But first, when Sarker
0:48.3	Stama announced the UK government's recognition of a Palestinian state last weekend, along with France, Australia and Canada,
0:56.3	he said he was acting to revive the hope of peace on a two-state solution. But Israel's
1:02.3	Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Friday that it would be sheer madness for Israel
1:08.5	to recognise a Palestinian state. His government is continuing its
1:13.7	intense military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which, it says, is to defeat Hamas. Our Middle East
1:21.1	correspondent Yoland Nell has been to Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, to hear about
1:27.1	Palestinians' doubts and demands. As I arrive in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank to hear about Palestinians' doubts and demands.
1:30.3	As I arrive in Bethlehem early in the morning, children are lining up for assembly at a distant
1:35.5	school, and I catch on the wind the strident first bars of Fidda'i, the Palestinian National Anthem.
1:42.4	But up on the olive tree dotted hillside, there's a firm reminder
1:46.0	that an independent nation state of Palestine remains a long way off. A grey Israeli military
1:52.0	watchtower stands sentinel. The recent rush to recognise a Palestinian state by the UK,
1:58.1	France, Canada and others is too little, but not too late. I'm told with a smile
2:03.2	by Palestinian theologian, Reverend Dr. Mitri Raheb, at Darol Kalima, the modern university
2:09.2	he founded. The challenge now is to translate this into action, so it's not just lip service,
2:15.3	the pastor goes on. And people here have lots of doubts.
2:19.1	Are these governments ready to sanction Israel to stop annexation of the West Bank and the
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