Mail & Guardian Interviews Finkelstein

Is it just me, or is there something wrong with the tone of the introduction to this interview? MG: People exploit tragedy for personal gain.

“Those South Africans with an interest in the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories would have had a field day recently. First, there were speaking engagements by Alan Dershowitz, the pro-Zionist author of A Case for Israel, followed by discussions and talks by David Benjamin, legal adviser to the Israeli Defence Force.”

It doesn’t say Jews or Zionists have had a field day, but it still sounds to me like a taunt. If there is some kind of comparison between what the Israel supporting and Israel hating crowds have been up to however, then to say the Zionists have had a “field day” is crazy talk. First of all, there were no “speaking engagements by Alan Dershowitz” - he was not even in the country. His film was screened recently, but that hardly amounts to a speaking engagement! The Israel haters on the other hand have been entertained by a type of Harlem Globetrotters Finkelstein tour where he spoke at every opportunity, on virtually every campus and every radio station. He was typically left unchallenged on his every point, and this interview is a fine example.

The interview questions say it all, here’s a sample, but go see for yourself.

Although you are generalising, you talk about a superior ethnic identity complex amongst Jews in the US. Have you found the same thing here in South Africa? How is it that Alan Dershowitz has managed to garner so much support in the US?

Oh dear. 

Comments

[The Blacklisted Dictator]

What a pity that Finkelstein's South African minders didn't give him a few guidelines in how the system works here. There certainly isn't much chance of this ANC govt boycotting Israel if he repeats such reactionary views!

M&G:
Do you think we have an "apartheid industry" in South Africa, and if so, is it along the lines of what has sometimes been alleged regarding the holocaust?

NF:
There are a lot of people in South Africa who have exploited apartheid. A lot of people in the ANC became millionaires under black empowerment.

[Lawrence]

Finkelstein who praised Hezbollah leaders face to face for their "courage" against Israel in the 2006 war, went on record in showing his appreciation of the South African "Jewish" petition signed by Doron Isaacs, Nathan Geffen et al against Israel in the Gaza conflict at the beginning of this year.

Finkelstein gave this petition signed by Isaacs, Geffen, Zapiro etc the Finkelstein stamp of approval, writing approvingly and admiringly that "South African Jews say NO"

http://www.normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?pg=11&ar=2467

I wonder if Geffen, Zapiro, Isaacs etc are proud of the fact that they have earned the admiration and support of a Hezbollah admirer and all-round anti-Semite and liar Norman Finkelstein?

[Sun]

Of course! They loving the exposure. They love Finky winky.

[The_Pil]

Sun Finky Winky is funny but I prefer Stinky Finky.

It is more appropriate-considering the stink he creates where ever he goes.