Open Discussions
in association with
Gulf Cultural Club
invites you to a discussion titled:
Gaza war: The end of Middle East status quo
Speakers
*Sami Ramadani (researcher, author and commentator)
**Stephen Bell (trade unionist)
***Dr Daud A. Abdullah (academic and political commentator)
The protracted war on Gaza that has been raging for over a month has the potential to end the status quo in the Middle East. It has demonstrated the limitation of the Israel invincibility despite being in possession of the most sophisticated American weaponry. The Palestinian resistance movement has withstood the Israeli onslaught that did not limit itself to military targets but caused massive civilian casualties. The devastation of Gaza brought back the memories of WW2 in Europe when whole cities were wiped out of existence. Yet the resilience of the Palestinians has surprised the world and forced new realities that rendered the Israeli military campaign a political failure. Israel remains under existential threats while the Palestinians who have endured the onslaught have remained an inspiration to their admirers. After one of the most destructive military campaigns of recent years, the Middle East may witness an end to the status quo and the emergence of new political realities.
6.30 pm Tuesday 14th November 2023
Venue: Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP
The meeting will be held in person, followed by dinner
You can also participate on Zoom using this link
Meeting ID: 856 8088 8416 Password: 000000
Admission is Free. Please register for catering purposes – email: d05sa@yahoo.co.uk
or text 07795 660 438
**Sami Ramadani is a senior lecturer in sociology at London Metropolitan University. Sami was born in Iraq and became an exile from Saddam Hussein’s regime in 1969, as a result of his political activities in support of democracy and socialism. He opposed the sanctions imposed on the Iraqi people (1991-2003) and the invasion of Iraq (2003). He is active in the movement to end the US-led occupation. He is a member of the steering committee of Stop the War Coalition.
*Stephen Bell is a life-long unionist, human rights and political campaigner. He is currently Treasurer of Stop the War Coalition. He was Campaign Officer for Palestine Solidarity Campaign. He was also Head of Policy for Communication Workers Union 2002-2015.
***Dr Daud A. Abdullah Daud Abdullah is a well-known British academic, and political and social commentator. He writes and lectures on issues relating to Middle Eastern and British politics, Islam, and Muslim-Western relations. Dr Abdullah received his BA in history from the University of Guyana in 1981 before completing a PhD in History at the University of Khartoum in 1989. He is currently director of the London based research institute Middle East Monitor. From 2003-2011 Abdullah was a part-time lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London and from 1990-1993, he lectured at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He has been a guest lecturer on Islamic and Palestinian affairs at many universities in the UK including Queen’s University in Belfast. Dr Abdullah is the author of several books.
