The tragedy unfolding in the War in Gaza is an issue of deep concern to many Australians. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to call for an end to the devastation and suffering, and it remains a source of tension on university campuses and in the workplace.

While the Australian government is very much under the spotlight, so too are many other institutions. There have been serious concerns raised about the media’s reporting of events, as well as the recent decisions of the Victorian State Library and Australian writers’ festivals for silencing pro-Palestinian voices. At the same time, many in the Jewish community are pointing to an alarming rise of antisemitism.

In this, the next of our Big Ideas in the Pub series, we look at how Australia - its government, as well as its public institutions and organizations - have been handling or mishandling the situation.

We will joined in conversation by Noura Mansour. Noura is a Palestinian educator, political analyst, and community organiser, born and raised in the coastal city of Akka, in Palestine. Noura is one the leading advocates in the Palestinian community and has over 20 years experience working on policy, community development, locally and internationally. Noura has worked as a consultant and a strategist with civil society organization in Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as solidarity movements in South Korea and Australia. Noura, a mother of 2, currently leads the movement building strategy for the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), where she works as the Community Organising and Advocacy Lead.

So, please join us for a meal and stimulating and thought-provoking conversation.