Israel/Palestine: The History and What’s Real? Opposing Views with Norman Finkelstein and David Brog
Oct 20, 2023
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Guests Norman Finkelstein and David Brog discuss the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, analyzing topics such as the rejection of peace offers by Palestinian leadership, Hamas tactics and Israeli response, the aftermath of the June 1967 War, and struggles with moral judgment. They also explore the division of land, evidence in the conflict, and the historical context of the Abraham Accords.
Engaging in conversations with individuals who hold opposing views can provide valuable insights and aid in finding common ground.
Understanding the historical events leading up to the Israel-Palestine conflict is crucial, including the rejectionism by the Palestinian side and the establishment of the Zionist movement.
The role of Hamas in the conflict involves rejectionism, terror tactics, and violating international laws, while Israel faces the challenge of responding to attacks while minimizing harm to civilians.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has its roots in the division of Palestine by the United Nations, subsequent territorial disputes, and the desperate living conditions faced by Palestinians.
Deep dives
The Israel-Palestine conflict and the challenge of forming an objective perspective
The speaker reflects on their limited historical knowledge and the challenge of understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict objectively. They express skepticism towards mainstream media and emphasize the difficulty of discerning the truth amidst conflicting narratives.
The importance of dialogue and understanding in resolving conflicts
The speaker highlights the value of engaging in conversations with individuals who hold opposing views in order to gain insight and comprehend complex conflicts. They emphasize the need for open-mindedness and conversation as a means of finding common ground and resolving differences.
Perspectives on the historical background of the Israel-Palestine conflict
The speaker provides a summary of the historical events leading up to the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting the Jewish return to their homeland, the establishment of the Zionist movement in the late 1800s, and the subsequent emergence of Arab identity. They discuss the pattern of rejectionism by the Palestinian side, citing five key historical moments and the rejection of peace offers.
Hamas and the nature of conflict in Gaza
The speaker explores the role of Hamas in the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting their rejectionist stance, terror tactics, and violation of international laws. They explain the challenges faced by Israel in responding to Hamas attacks while minimizing harm to Palestinian civilians, and debunk the myth of Israel deliberately targeting civilians.
Background of Israeli and Palestine conflict
The Israeli and Palestine conflict began in 1948 when the United Nations divided Palestine into two states: an Arab state and a Jewish state. The conflict stemmed from irreconcilable differences between the indigenous Arab population and the Zionist Jewish settlers. The newly created United Nations tried to work towards a resolution, resulting in the allocation of 56% of Palestine to the Jewish state. However, the Arab side did not accept this division as it did not account for the demographic balance. This led to the First Arab-Israeli War, where Israel absorbed 80% of Palestine and expelled a large portion of the indigenous population.
UN Resolution 242 and the occupation of Palestinian territories
UN Resolution 242, adopted in 1967, formed the basis for resolving the conflict. It stated that Israel must withdraw from the Palestinian territories it acquired during the 1967 war, while the Arab states and other parties to the conflict should recognize Israel's right to exist. However, Israel did not comply with these terms and instead annexed more land in the West Bank, creating Jewish settlements. Over the years, Israel launched various military operations in Gaza, resulting in significant civilian casualties and destruction. The Palestinian people faced unemployment, a lack of opportunities, and severe restrictions on movement, leading to despair and frustration.
Current situation and prospects for peace
The recent events in Gaza must be understood in the context of the long-standing conflict. The ongoing blockade and harsh living conditions have fueled resentment among the Palestinian population, particularly in Gaza. Efforts towards normalization between Arab states and Israel, like the Abraham Accords, were seen by Palestinians as forsaking their struggle and rights. The future looks bleak as Israel continues to annex Palestinian territories, resulting in forced expulsions and exacerbating the already desperate situation. Without international intervention and a genuine commitment to justice and peace, the conflict is unlikely to be resolved, and the suffering of the Palestinian people will persist.
Hey guys, this is a sensitive topic and I tried to find two knowledgeable people to speak with to just hear both sides of the “history”. It seems like the world is split on this issue in a very extreme way and I always think speaking to people on “both sides” can be beneficial. In this episode of Opposing Views, I was joined by David Brog, and Norman G. Finkelstein, both have spent much of their lives researching the history of Israel and Palestine and living in the area. This wasn’t an easy episode to make and I’m sure I missed things and could have done a better job asking questions but I did my best and there was only so much we could fit into the 2 hours. I hope it helps provide some information so you can form your own opinions. Avoiding one side of a massive argument isn’t a good idea, ever.
David Brog is the president of the Edmund Burke Foundation, which hosts the annual National Conservatism conference. He’s also the Nevada Co-Chair of Term Limits USA. In 2022, he placed 2nd out of 8 candidates in the Republican primary for Nevada’s 1st congressional district. He is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
David Brog is the author of Reclaiming Israel’s History: Roots, Rights and the Struggle for Peace (2017) - https://a.co/d/e36homB
Norman G. Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department in 1987. He is the author of many books that have been translated into 60 foreign editions, including THE HOLOCAUST INDUSTRY: Reflections on the exploitation of Jewish suffering, GAZA: An inquest into its martyrdom, and most recently, I ACCUSE! Herewith a proof beyond reasonable doubt that ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda whitewashed Israel. In the year 2020, Norman Finkelstein was named the fifth most influential political scientist in the world.
