Norman Finkelstein giving a talk at Suffolk University in Massachusetts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Is Israel Unfairly Held to a Higher Standard? Norman Finkelstein on Reality Asserts Itself (1/8)
TheRealNews on Dec 24, 2014
Norman Finkelstein and Paul Jay discuss a full page ad in the NYT that says Israel is condemned by liberals for human rights violations while it defends gay rights, and less is said about the persecution of gays by Iran, Hamas and ISIS
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (2/8)
TheRealNews on Dec 30, 2014
Mr. Finkelstein talks about his Holocaust survivor parents and their influence on the formation of his early identity
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (3/8)
TheRealNews on Dec 31, 2014
Mr. Finkelstein on self-deception and the collapse of his identity
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (4/8)
TheRealNews on Jan 3, 2015
Dr. Finkelstein explains why he endures slings and arrows, being isolated and attacked for his critique of Israel
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (5/8)
TheRealNews on Jan 15, 2015
Dr. Finkelstein says writing the “Holocaust Industry” changed his life, isolating him academically and making him a target – but he felt he had to take on the subject to defend the legacy of his holocaust survivor parents.
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (6/8)
TheRealNews on Jan 15, 2015
Dr. Finkelstein says there was no way that considerations of his livelihood ever entered into his calculus about whether or not to say something or not say something.
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (7/8)
TheRealNews on Jan 17, 2015
Dr. Finkelstein discusses the “complicated question” of Israel’s right to regulate the ethnic balance of the state and Palestinian’s right of return.
The Making of Norman Finkelstein – Reality Asserts Itself (8/8)
TheRealNews on Jan 20, 2015
Dr. Finkelstein says the BDS movement must take a position on Israel’s right to exist as a state
from the archives:
Chris Hedges, Gaza Rally in NYC: God’s Covenant in the Promised Land + #GazaDayofRage Protests
Norman Finkelstein: How to Solve Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Dandelion Salad 
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I started using that moniker last summer, after the Israeli bloodbath in Palestine (Gaza) killing and maiming thousands of children, women and men, to the delight of the Israeli people.
And God forbid someone criticize them for it. When I see the AIPAC Lobby or Netenyahu make excuses (and others since the 1940’s) in what they did or are doing to the Arabs in Palestine and their threats of violence against other Muslim nations I think David of old would be one unhappy camper, as the saying goes.
I could go on….
“By their acts shall ye know them.”
Lo, re my reply to Frank ~ perhaps worth noting….exquisite Barenboim interview with the late David Frost for Al Jazeera (2013)
music, history, ethics, aesthetics, culture, dialogue, creative co-existence….
Thanks, David, unfortunately Al Jazeera pulled most of their Youtube videos off the US market but the rest of the world can watch it. I’m sure it’s a great interview.
Speaking of music and creativity, read this today: http://socialistworker.org/2015/01/21/stings-shipbuilding
Haven’t had a chance to watch them, but I had the honor of hearing Professor Finkelstein speak at a lecture 5 or 6 years ago and he was right on target.
Outside the lecture hall were several Zionist protesters carrying large blue & white “Star of Evil” flags hoping people would boycott Norman’s lecture.
The place was packed, and as he spoke, I did an unscientific body language (facial) survey as he spoke on the Israeli/Palestinian issue. Quite a few “tense” faces on a predominately mature audience of several hundred.
Half the room was for him and maybe the other half was “agin’ him.”
David, You’re right again. Excellent comments! Exactly my sentiments.
Good to hear from you Frank.
Since horror and unspeakable atrocity are the rule, that we are witnessing almost everywhere today (yet again and again….worse and worse) surely it is urgently needed to rethink and reconfigure the whole planetary enterprise ~ to radically review what life is all about.
I’m persuaded that the most powerful way out of the present escalating impasse of extreme violence, the only “final solution” to this media-orgy of divisive hatred and pathological cruelty, is art.
People like Daniel Barenboim, and the Canadian fabric artist Elizabeth Shefrin ~ who initiated the Palestinian quilt initiative pre-9/11 ~ have been exemplary exponents of this greater wisdom; of creative unity, through diversity. The 10,000 African Gardens Project is another recent, really fabulous approach, that is superbly life-giving as well as life affirming.
Human existence has been rendered worthless and meaningless by consumerist trivia and banal, genocidal politics. Indigenous peoples, are portrayed as contemptible, “undeveloped.” Other species, disposable and irrelevant. Entire habitats, sacrificial arenas of perpetual desecration for the Moloch of commerce.
Something is terribly wrong with us homo saps. As the old saying goes, if horses believed in God, God would be a horse. Our childish beliefs are all vain projections of our generic inadequacies and insecurities. So we seek refuge in the comforting illusion of a protective, magnanimous force, call it NATO or call it what you will, to me it’s nothing but a collective fatalistic hallucination.
We must act, to not be acted upon.
Hope you have the chance to watch at least some of this series of interviews, or read/glance at the transcripts.
Calling the Star of David, the “Star of Evil” isn’t going to help in the conversation. Please again listen to what Dr. Finkelstein says about the state of Israel.
He has been misunderstood by those who support him and those who don’t.
I really appreciate Lo posting these interviews, I listened to them all this evening.
I have a lot of time for Norman Finkelstein, for one simple reason, he is principled. I admire his enormous courage, and his clarity. He does not compromise on his ethical position. This is the one thing most obviously lacking in contemporary (US-style) politics ~ principle!
On the matter of “tough questions,” there is one really tough question that is not being asked, let alone answered yet ~ or at least, it still needs to be adequately framed as a legitimate question, namely this:
“what is the rightful relationship of international (criminal) law to religion?”
My answer would be clear ~ no religion that claims to be endowed by supernal right, can be exempt from the criminal law; & any “religion,” or its purported proponents/practitioners that is/are in breach of that accepted rule of law, or found in contempt of its due process by arrogating to itself powers that are contrary to the very principle of representative government itself, must be accountable before that law through its proper agencies.
No dispensation soever can be allowed to evade responsibility for its obligation to uphold the international rule of law, especially under the guise of religion; no matter what it titles itself ~ whether it be styled Israel, the USA, Peoples’ Republic of China, Islamic Republic of…., the Russian Federation, Commonwealth of Tibet, EU and so on. Law is law.
An effective rule of law, is actually all we have if we are to create a just civilization. Any religion, or religious state or corporate franchise that defiantly opposes international criminal law, and acts in contempt of due legal process at the highest level, should forfeit any right to be recognized as a legitimate moral entity and risk condemnation by all as a rogue imposture.
Too big to fail? I don’t think so!
Thanks for watching all of them, David. I watched them as they became available as I’ve been working on this post since Dec. 24th or so. It started out as a 4-part series, then a 5-part, then an 8-part series.
I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to Dr. Finkelstein.
Good points about rule of law and international law and religion.