

Pankaj Mishra — the world after Gaza
Apr 22, 2025
Pankaj Mishra, an acclaimed Indian author, dives into the complexities of the Gaza conflict, weaving narratives of colonialism, morality, and history. He challenges conventional views, emphasizing themes of justice amidst tragedy. Alongside Simon Longstaff, ethics expert and director of The Ethics Centre, they explore the cyclical nature of oppression and the moral dilemmas faced by marginalized groups. The discussion also touches on reparations and the necessity of ethical restraint, encouraging a reevaluation of entrenched narratives to foster dialogue and coexistence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mishra's Early Israeli Fascination
- Growing up in India, Pankaj Mishra admired Moshe Dayan without yet knowing Israeli history or the Holocaust.
- Meeting Palestinian students later revealed to him the harsh realities of displacement and statelessness tied to Israel's formation.
Holocaust Memory as Politics
- Israeli leaders deliberately shaped the Holocaust memory into a political tool to unify a diverse population.
- The narrative justified expansionism and depicted neighboring Arabs as potential Nazis to legitimize security measures.
Primo Levi's Struggle with Memory
- Primo Levi survived Auschwitz and later struggled with the commercialization and politicization of Holocaust memory in the U.S.
- He faced criticism that diminished his Jewish identity, which deeply affected his later life and views.