Is Norman Finkelstein a Traitor? | Glenn Loury & John McWhorter | The Glenn Show

Glenn Loury and John McWhorter discuss the controversial political scientist Norman Finkelstein's recent appearance on The Glenn Show and why it angered so many people.

[sublationmedia]

Norman Finkelstein is NOT a holocaust denier. His parents were holocaust survivors and his family suffered and died in the holocaust. His book the Holocaust Industry is not a book denying the holocaust, but is a critique of how the holocaust is used politically by the State of Israel.
I hope that Glenn will correct himself in the future about the character of Finkelstein's views.
Full disclosure, I am the publisher of his book "I'll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It."

[lpslade]

Just to clarify, Norman Finkelstein doesn’t deny the Holocaust.His relatives died as a result of the Holocaust. What he is stating is that it being politicized overly. It is offensive to the extreme to suggest otherwise

[nategauth]

I relistened to the interview. Glenn pressed Finkelstein on the Israel-Palestine issue. Finkelstein responded. Glenn questioned Finkelstein on the allegation that Israel practices Apartheid. But then Glenn made the case himself. Finkelstein simply agreed with Glenn's description. I can't see why Finkelstein is now being blamed for going down that rabbit hole.

[sharpturns]

As someone that's Jewish and that disagrees with Norman on many of his views, I thoroughly enjoyed your conversation with him. It was a great conversation.

[Spyderist]

there's nothing wrong with norman finkelstein, he's a good historian

[MrFlinchenstein]

This video only proves that Norman was correct about Identity politics.

[CMatthewHawkins]

I find it ironic that the same people who were outraged that Norm Finkelstein was given a platform to challenge the popular opinion of some supporters of the Israeli government had no problem with the bulk of his conversation, which was about debunking the popular opinion of many "woke" black Americans and neoliberals who subscribe to the politics of racial representation. On the one hand, they dismiss a person who challenges the conventional wisdom as a "self-hating Jew" when he makes supporters of the Israeli state uncomfortable. Yet, they see it as being enlightened when black Americans recognize the brilliance of that same man when he challenges the conventional wisdom of many black Americans. Platforming Norm Finkelstein does not make one anti-Semitic, and his writings don't make him a self-hating Jew, nor does platforming Finkelstein make one an anti-black racist, nor are blacks who enjoyed his comments self-hating blacks.

[deliofernandez]

Norman Finkelstein is not a self hating Jew nor a holocaust denier. He espouses Rosa Luxemburg, W.E.B. Dubois, Paul Robeson and others who have fought on the side of the oppressed. With all due respect, Mr. Loury is either being disingenuous, or is truly ignorant. Norman Finkelstein is a beautiful soul who understands suffering and cannot bear to see it anywhere. I am sorry you got him all wrong.

[miskakerdez]

I heard the original interview with Finkelstein and thought it was a fruitful and interesting discussion. Imagine, being able to have a respectful give and take with someone with whom you are not on the same page politically. And now, Glenn Loury is basically misrepresenting Finkelstein and denouncing him. I must say I am shocked and very disappointed. There is an irony with a podcast being devoted to the perils of cancel culture, backtracking in this way. Can we not engage with challenging and unpopular ideas? Finkelstein, as others have stated, is NOT a holocaust denier. His parents were both Holocaust survivors and he wants to honour their legacies by taking morally courageous stands. Whether or not he is a "self-hating Jew" is more in the realm of psychology and not relevant to the veracity of his arguments. It seems that hard-line Zionism has such a narrow understanding of what it means to be Jewish and support Jewish values, is so narrow that to be Jewish in a non-Zionist way and to support Universalism and support Palestinian rights is to be smeared as being self-hating. Dershowitz has certainly claimed this. Yet there are many Jewish intellectuals who are not Zionist and who believe that honouring Jewish values is about being brave and standing up for what's right. Finkelstein embodies this ethic. FYI, I have one Jewish parent but grew up secular. We are all grown ups here, right? We can listen to arguments that challenge our shibboleths without imploding. Seriously.

[danielmatemusic]

"A traitor to his people..." "Self-hating..." Instantly dismissible bc dissent from mainstream community's views.... that must sound familiar to the two hosts.

[Crossa]

Norman was the best guest in your podcast thus far!

[Jahcrooks]

Former Professor Emeritus at MIT Noam Chomsky and also a critic of Israel's treatment of the Palestinian s calls Finkelstein scholarly work "impeccable".

[TravisRiver]

Lol, Glenn, you're being spineless here. Stop apologizing.*

[s.wallerstein]

As a Jew, I have no problems with you, Glenn, interviewing Finkelstein. Thank you for the excellent interview. Even though I don't agree with Finkelstein about many issues, I find him to be an interesting thinker

[EllinJimmerson]

A shame you had to clarify why you would have Finkelstein on and hear him out. It was a good interview with an important thinker.

[SalahEL]

I speak 3 languages (Arabic, French and English) and i can say with confidence that Norman finkelstein is the best political scientist I have ever seen and read so far among arabic-speaking, english-speaking and french-speaking intellectuals.

[SkeletonModel]

Really disingenuous of Glenn to grossly misrepresent Norman Finkelstein after the fact, not while he was on the podcast to challenge all of these points. Glenn spent probably thirty seconds on the Apartheid question when Norman was on and now offers up all of these factoids without being challenged. Fucking come on, Glenn. You’re better than this.

[robertasirgutz]

Don't apologize, Glenn. I'm a secular Jew, with strong intellectual and emotional ties to my people. I think it's reductive to react to Finklestein's point of view regarding Israeli/ Palestine relations.

Netanyahu is a warmongering aggressor, with a "checkered" if not criminal past. His far right extremism and reluctance to have a court system that provides checks and balances has caused mass protest in Israel. Mossad and their covert ops look much like the CIA.

It's one of the best shows you've had. You don't have to agree with everything NF says, but he's a fierce intellect, and a voice that shouldn't be censored. Courage. Don't bow rabid Jewish opposition.

[cdcaleo]

It's unfortunate that Glen had to say any of that in regards to his choice of guest.

[bigbossman]

Hilarious to see Glenn assume this sort of bootlicking disposition. Any criticism of Israel and Glenn starts mumbling over his words and starts being overly apologetic. "Keep that same energy" comes to mind Glenn!!