New book by Norman Finkelstein explores Israel’s assault on Gaza

[Jefferson23]

Method and Madness: The hidden story of Israel’s assaults on Gaza

“Mr. Finkelstein['s] … research is certainly thorough. His characterizations, too, can be brilliant, and he spares nobody …”
—The Economist


Perceptions about the Israeli-Palestine conflict are changing. The UK recently voted to recognize Palestine as a state, and other European countries are clambering to follow suit. The New Yorker ran a cover story on the changing sentiment in the American-Jewish community towards Israel’s right-wing stance. “American audiences,” a New York Magazine article begins, “are seeing the story of the conflict, perhaps more than ever before, through Palestinian eyes.”



While the mainstream is only now becoming critical of Israel’s actions, Norman G. Finkelstein has long been an outspoken opponent of all violence in the Middle East. His latest work, Method and Madness: The Hidden Story of Israel’s Assaults on Gaza, upholds his reputation as one of the area’s most insightful commentators.



Looking at Israel’s major military operations of the last six years, Finkelstein reveals that Israel’s “defensive” measures have been motivated by political calculation: a desire to keep Palestine politically fractured and a need for Palestinian pleas to be seen and dismissed as terrorist demands. Perhaps even more vital than his scholarship of the recent past is Finkelstein’s prescription for peace. He concludes his book with an argument that only global nonviolent protests lead by Palestinians can put an end to the madness. Providing context and possible solutions, Finkelstein’s latest book is vital, pithy, and required reading for any interested in the Middle East.

http://thearabdailynews.com/2014/10/28/new-book-norman-finkelstein-explores-israels-assault-gaza/

[still_one]

1. Fuck finkelstein. His views on the holocaust are bullshit and so is he.

Holocaust

[Jefferson23]

2. "It Takes an Enormous Amount of Courage to Speak the Truth When No One Else is Out There"

World-Renowned Holocaust, Israel Scholars Defend DePaul Professor Norman Finkelstein as He Fights for Tenure

RAUL HILBERG: Yes. I read this book, which was published about seven years ago, even as I, myself, was researching actions brought against Swiss companies, notably banks, but also other enterprises in insurance and in manufacturing. And the gist of all of these claims, all of these actions, was that somehow the Swiss banks, in particular, and other enterprises, as well, owed money to Jews or the survivors or the living descendants of people who were victims. The actions were brought by claims lawyers, by the World Jewish Congress, which joined them, and a blitz was launched in the newspapers. Congressmen and senators were mobilized, officials of regulatory agencies in New York and elsewhere. Threats were issued in the nature of withdrawal of pension funds, of boycotts, of bad publicity.

And I was struck by the fact, even as I, myself, was researching the same territory that Professor Finkelstein was covering, that the Swiss did not owe that money, that the $1,250,000,000 that were agreed as a settlement to be paid to the claimants was something that in very plain language was extorted from the Swiss. I had, in fact, relied upon the same sources that Professor Finkelstein used, perhaps in addition some Swiss items. I was in Switzerland at the height of the crisis, and I heard from so-called forensic accountants about how totally surprised the Swiss were by this outburst. There is no other word for it.

Now, Finkelstein was the first to publish what was happening in his book, The Holocaust Industry. And when I was asked to endorse the book, I did so with specific reference to these claims. I felt that within the Jewish community over the centuries, nothing like it had ever happened. And even though these days a couple of billion dollars are sometimes referred to as an accounting error and not worthy of discussion, there is a psychological dimension here which not must be underestimated.

http://www.democracynow.org/2007/5/9/it_takes_an_enormous_amount_of

[shira]

34. You're disingenuously pretending Hilberg endorses Fink as a scholar....

....and that Fink has great credibility as a result.

The fact is that from your own passage, Hilberg only endorsed a few specific claims about Holocaust reparations.

That's it.

Why are you pretending a Hezbollah supporter like Fink has more credibility than he actually has?

[Jefferson23]

37. I'm not pretending anything, that would be you..hoping against hope that people are not

aware of this endorsement and it's significance. You deceive here, all the time...nothing knew.

[grossproffit]

3. +1 He's garbage.

[King_David]

6. +1 nobody takes this dude seriously besides some discussion forums.

[Jefferson23]

7. Yea, only world renowned Holocaust scholars. n/t

[King_David]

8. He's a hero on Internet forums

Ranging from extremist right and extremist left.

That's about it.

[Jefferson23]

9. Tell that to the scholars that praise his work. n/t

[King_David]

10. The praise he gets from the Jewish community in particular

All has to do with his thoughts and criticism of BDS . Of course he recognized that group for the antiSemitic POS that they are.
But that's it...

[Jefferson23]

12. No that is not it, he is recognized by world remowned scholars for his work regarding the

Holocaust.

You'll have to link where he referred to BDS as anti-semitic, I'm not aware of that charge
by him. I do know he has called them out as he feels they are not being straight forward about their
end goal.

[King_David]

16. Yep he called out the BDS movement.

And yes the BDS movement are AntiSemitic POS which they themselves prove over and over and over again.

As I said Finklestein is a hero on extremist right wing and extremist left wing Internet forums- that's about it.

[Jefferson23]

19. Your link?

Raul Hilberg, the extremist..that's pretty funny.

[still_one]

13. yes, storm front and David Duke are his big fans

[Jefferson23]

18. Post#2, don't let that get in your way. n/t

[oberliner]

20. Which world renowned Holocaust scholars?

Who besides the late Mr. Hilberg?

[Jefferson23]

21. Read post number 2, and you're here just in the nick of time to minimize Hilberg.

Because his reputation would not be enough on a subject that is considered
taboo.

[oberliner]

22. Minimize Hilberg?

Only in your mind. He is one of the most prominent scholars on the subject in history. If not the most.

I asked who the other scholars were.

Post #2 makes no mention of any other Holocaust scholars besides Mr. Hilberg.

[Jefferson23]

23. Read the link, that's why it's there.

I am pleased to be wrong that you're not minimizing Hilberg's review of Finkelsteins work.

[oberliner]

24. There are no Holocaust scholars mentioned anywhere in the interview other than Mr. Hilberg.

Indeed Mr. Hilberg himself notes that Mr. Finkelstein was "criticized over and over" about his writing on the subject.

If you read the interview, please identify the names of any other Holocaust scholars who are mentioned.

[Jefferson23]

30. Avi Shlaim, an Oxford scholar on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a nobody too?

That would be news to me.

Avi Shlaim FBA (born 31 October 1945) is an Iraqi-born British/Israeli historian. He is emeritus professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford and a fellow of the British Academy. Shlaim is considered one of Israel's New Historians,[1] a group of Israeli scholars who put forward critical interpretations of the history of Zionism and Israel.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avi_Shlaim

[oberliner]

38. He is not a Holocaust scholar and does not claim to be one

He claims to be a scholar on the history of Zionism and Israel as your linked Wikipedia entry indicates.

[Jefferson23]

39. Oh well then, that makes the totality of Hilbergs endorsement rather exculsive in a

strident manner. Nevertheless, Finkelstein's work is recognized and appreciated
by honorable scholars.

[shira]

4. "Finkelstein has long been an outspoken opponent of all violence in the Middle East."

Is that a joke?

He supports Assad's Jihadis from Hezbollah, trained and funded by the Ayatollahs.

[Jefferson23]

5. Look at that, you and grossproffit agree on so much posted here. n/t

[shira]

11. The video speaks for itself. Finkelstein is a low-life supporter.....

....of Jihadi terrorists like Hezbollah.

His opinion on I/P is shit. Actually worse than shit...

[Jefferson23]

14. Yep, according to you..I heard you the first time.

You and grossproffits.

[shira]

15. Won't stop some from spreading his garbage propaganda. n/t

[Jefferson23]

17. Many are afraid of him, I find it revealing..posts like yours vs praise he receives from

scholars. Post#2 versus your opinion.

[King_David]

25. Scholars,

Beside your post 2... Who ? As has been asked of you...

The reason to ask is that he's a hero of the extremist left and extremist right Internet forums such as David Duke who is no scholar.

[shira]

26. One scholar like Hilberg apparently makes Fink 1000% kosher. n/t

[Jefferson23]

28. I am certain you wish he had none..sorry. n/t

[shira]

29. Hilberg was very specific in what he endorsed from the Fink...

Now, Finkelstein was the first to publish what was happening in his book, The Holocaust Industry. And when I was asked to endorse the book, I did so with specific reference to these claims.

He didn't endorse everything in the book, nor did he endorse any of Fink's other works.

You wish he did.

[Jefferson23]

31. What is essential is that he did and of course he was specific..how does that change anything?

It doesn't.

[shira]

32. Well duh, it means Hilberg endorses only a small fraction....

....of what the Fink was claiming.

Other than that, all Fink's other shit is hot stinking garbage.

[Jefferson23]

33. Nope, but you knew that..just as you know your other unreliable tools for Bibi are

discredited as well.

[shira]

35. Yep. To quote Hilberg again...

Now, Finkelstein was the first to publish what was happening in his book, The Holocaust Industry. And when I was asked to endorse the book, I did so with specific reference to these claims.

These claims, not all his hot stinking garbage.

He's a racist, terror-supporting clown.

[Jefferson23]

36. Right and what you're suggesting is unsupported..it's what you do here on a regular basis. n/t

[Jefferson23]

27. That makes sense to you, and he doesn't need anyone past Hilberg...sorry for you. n/t

[grossproffit]

40. There are many, many of us in the Democratic party that strongly support Israel.

I am proudly one of them.

[Jefferson23]

41. Yep, you and shira share a lot in common. n/t

[grossproffit]

42. Aw, I get it. You think we're the same person.

*sniff* *sniff*

[Jefferson23]

43. Those are your words, interesting though. n/t

[grossproffit]

44. Not really interesting. More like transparent on your part.

Nice try!

[Jefferson23]

45. Those were not your words and conclusions? The pumpkin is a nice added addition to your

look, btw.