TRIGGERnometry Israel/Palestine: Asking The Questions No One Else Will - Norman Finkelstein
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May 12, 2024 
In this thought-provoking discussion, Norman Finkelstein, an American political scientist and activist known for his research on the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, addresses pressing humanitarian issues in Gaza. He critiques media portrayals and explores the challenges of coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. Finkelstein shares poignant personal reflections linking his family's history to contemporary struggles, while emphasizing the need for truth in understanding the Palestinian experience. The conversation navigates complex dynamics and the moral dilemmas inherent in the ongoing conflict.
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Finkelstein's Parents
- Norman Finkelstein's parents were Warsaw Ghetto survivors who met in a displaced persons camp.
- His mother witnessed her husband's sister from afar in the ghetto, a memory that haunted his father.
Mother's Reaction to War
- Finkelstein recalls his mother's visceral reaction to televised scenes of the Vietnam War, refusing to watch the violence.
- This instilled in him the importance of not intellectualizing discussions of war and suffering.
Focus on Truth and Justice
- Finkelstein didn't grow up with strong ties to Israel and wasn't raised in a conventionally religious home.
- He emphasizes truth and justice as his guiding principles in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.