Middle East conflict – its complex historic and political context.| Catalyst Kōrero - 19th October

The humanitarian catastrophe and conflict expansion of the war in Gaza that University of Otago Middle East expert Dr Leon Goldsmith warned us about in his August 2024 Catalyst Kōrero has come to pass:

• 62,966 Palestinians dead (according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as of 31 August 2025) and widespread famine in Gaza as the Israeli Defence Force seeks to defeat Hamas amid escalating anti-war protests, globally and inside Israel.

• 53 Israeli hostages (dead and alive) still held in the wake of the initial 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack, which killed 1200 and wounded 3300 Israelis.

• Regional conflict has spiraled to engulf Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and the occupied West Bank.

Dr Goldsmith says it is impossible to understand these Middle East conflagrations through a standard  ‘Western’ state-centric lens.

His October 19 Catalyst Kōrero will describe the complex political and historic context that provides the spiderwebbed drivers of these conflicts, at both domestic and international levels.

Is there hope for long-term peace and resolution? If so – what, how and who might lead to it? When?

What are the roles of politicians and public pressure – both within the Middle East and globally?

And what is his prognosis if this hope dies?

Sunday, October 19, 6-7.30pm at The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s Ruma Wai Kahu on the fifth floor. Registration required here to secure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha or donate online via Humanitix. This will be given to Médecins Sans Frontiēres/Doctors Without Borders for their work in the region.