Norman Finkelstein: October 7th Revisited | Israel, Palestine, Hezbollah, & The End of Gaza

Norman Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department, and is best known for his research on Israel and Palestine. In this episode, Norman and Robinson sit down for a discussion centered around the anniversary of October 7th, and they speak about the immensity of what has happened in the Israel-Palestine region in the time before and since. Norman also appeared on episode 192, where he and Robinson discussed allegations of genocide and apartheid, Hamas and Hezbollah, and connections between the war and the Holocaust. Norman was also featured on episode 218, where he addressed the facts and fictions generated by the Israel-Hamas War. Norman’s most recent book is I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It! Heretical Thoughts on Identity Politics, Cancel Culture, and Academic Freedom (Sublation Media, 2023).

OUTLINE
00:00 Introduction
07:55 Is the Palestine Question Dead?
17:22 How the Nakba Created Gaza in 1948
25:20 High-Tech Israeli Killing Sprees in Gaza
29:23 The Butcher of Beirut & The Sabra and Shatila Massacre
37:11 On Hassan Nasrallah, Leader of Hezbollah
42:35 Israel Vs The Party of God
52:41 Noam Chomsky on Hezbollah’s Threat to Israel
01:02:10 On Martin Luther King Jr’s Final Words
01:12:37 Will the Gazans Be Emancipated like American Blacks from Slavery?
01:21:26 The Question of Gaza as a Concentration Camp
01:32:08 On His Mother, Piers Morgan, and Gaza as a Holocaust
01:41:36 Does Israel Have the Right to Commit Genocide?
01:50:10 Just How Brutal Are Israel’s High Tech Military Operations?
01:58:43 Are the Leaders of Hamas Rich Billionaires?
02:04:43 Comparing Gaza and the Warsaw Ghetto
02:09:33 The Absurdity of Gaza’s Economy
02:18:14 Did Hamas Commit Sexual Violence Against Israelis on October 7th?
02:24:07 On Israel’s Violent Revenge Against Hamas
02:30:34 Has Israel Exterminated Gaza?
02:39:39 Will There Be a Ceasefire in Gaza?
02:43:58 Why Does Israel Always Win?
02:52:40 On Philosophy, Chattel Slavery, and Justice in Palestine
02:58:02 On Justice and Norman Finkelstein’s Purpose in Life

Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, historians, economists, and everyone in-between.

[robinsonerhardt]

Norman moved heaven and earth to make this conversation happen. On my end, behind the scenes, the production was difficult in too many ways to count—and there are some problems with the video and audio that I hope you can forgive—but the challenges were nothing compared to what Norman has been through. Whether you agree or disagree with his interpretation of events, I am incredibly grateful to you for watching this, because a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this episode about a situation the discussion of which is worth far more than we can give.

- Robinson

[mrmustard]

Norman you will forever be my intellectual and political hero, and I will never stop being in awe of your courage, your integrity, and the strength of your moral compass. I have followed you since i was a young teenager and for me you will never be replaced

[badiyasudah]

You have already earned a place in human history's book of honor.

[douglashobden]

If I can achieve 10% of the integrity Norman Finkelstein has before I die it will be a life well lived.

[prajna.paramita]

Norman Finkelstein has been a lighthouse in this conflict, he enlightened millions of us to think in much clearer, much more compassionate terms about the fate of the Palestinians and the torture they have been put through by the Zionists. He is totally credible due to his thoroughness, deep scholarship and personal integrity. Adorable. May he live to see the Palestinian people be granted self-determination and a life in dignity. And I suggest: may he receive the peace nobel prize. Even if he won’t care.

[musaibaltaf]

Professor Finkelstein....Huge respect for you....May you live long enough to see an independent Palestine

[klaudiadelmer]

This man is so admirable. I am in owe of his dedication to truth and justice.

[peterboytRaKs]

Reminds me of the stories my Irish grandparents and their brothers a sisters told us kids when we were young. Some survived the potato famine. Some didn't Yes, I'm that old. Older than Norman. It's definitely about survival Norman. Especially today. Thanks Robinson and Norman.

[omaymahaq]

Norman… Our planet is a better place because people like you are in it. Thank you!! All respect for you and your work! 🇵🇸✌️🇱🇧

[afro]

I am lucky and honoured to witness and be schooled by Professor Norm while he is still alive. He is a living encyclopaedia. An old African proverbs which reads, ”When an Elder dies, a library burns to the ground”. Long live Professor Norm

[AmythestLavinge]

What Norman has done even in the face of so much hate from his own people is simply amazing. He is one strong soul, a Hero among Heros.

[alphonsemoonflee]

Professor is a wonderful, informative human being who puts justice, fairness ahead of irrationality. A man of integrity.

[rashides]

I can't believe how fast 3hrs came to an end. When someone speaks deep from the heart, unsponsored unbiased, you could listen to them the whole day. The confidence, the ease in speaking is like a talking book.

[Daybyday]

As the grandson of Auschwitz survivors, Norman talking of his family resonates with me so much; almost as if he's describing my grandmother. He's truly a guide for these turbulent times.

[saskiademoor]

I hear you Norman , you are exhausted. I wish you could take a rest from doing your best - always giving your best And give space to the immense sadness about all the suffering we so desperately want to stop.

[jenniferkamerer]

I respect You, Professor Finklestein. You exceed expectations in your humanity, intellect, courage, character and values. You have a purpose and you are fulfilling it sir. Thank you!❤

[scotttatertot]

When Norman speaks, I listen.

For the rest of my life, I will never forget what I have seen since Oct. 7th. I will never forget the complicity I have seen in almost everyone I know in my personal life, and the complicity and enabling of Western governments. At this point, silence, turning away, taking a "both sides" approach to tell yourself you have the high ground, all of these attitudes of regular people are what is fuelling this conflict. In the eyes of regular people, people protesting for Palestine is nothing but a nuisance. Everything that is happening now would stop of western governments put pressure on Israel. This will never happen unless the populations in these countries demand it of those in power.

How can I belligerently support a sphere of influence that thrives off of the worst crime against humanity possible? In good conscious, I cannot.

We pat ourselves on the back that we are the secular apex of all human civilization. No one is free, no one is educated, no one is intelligent and special quite like us.

What a sick joke. This is absolutely not true now, and it's never been true.

[simhei]

Thank you for all of these long, high quality interviews in which Finkelstein gets to elaborate and share his vastness of knowledge.

[jimbenham]

You are a hero professor Finkelstein. You have made personal sacrifices for the greater good.

[sydvischer]

Robinson, thank you so much for giving Norman a platform to speak for this long, this freely on such important subjects. You did an incredible job facilitating the conversation, asking insightful questions and seeking important clarifications. Thank you.