Israel, Gaza & the international division of humanity: MEMO in Coversation with Vijay Prashad

The 'international division of humanity' is central to imperialist logic and explains the reasons behind the treatment of Palestinians by the Global North, but this very concept is leading to the West's waning power on the world stage, journalist and historian Prashad tells MEMO. In this episode of MEMO in Conversations we sit down with Vijay Prashad, one of the world’s leading Marxist thinkers and the author of around 40 books. Prashad offers his insights on the Gaza ceasefire deal and its broader implications, unpacking its timing, its connection to President Joe Biden’s presidency and legacy, and whether it can be seen as a Palestinian victory given Israel’s inability to achieve its declared aim of eradicating Hamas. The conversation also revisits some of Prashad’s key theoretical frameworks, such as the “international division of humanity.” This concept, which Prashad identifies as central to imperialist logic, serves as a lens to examine the treatment of Palestinians and the global reactions to the genocide in Gaza. He reflects on how these dynamics expose the moral contradictions of the Global North and its waning ability to lead on the world stage. Prashad explores the concept of hyper-imperialism and provides a wider geopolitical context for the Gaza crisis. He connects the events in Gaza to broader global trends of authoritarianism and resistance, delving into how these forces intersect and shape contemporary world order, while highlighting the lessons Gaza holds for the Global South. Prashad emphasises how the events in Gaza offer an opportunity to rethink global power structures and build solidarity among nations striving for justice and self-determination.