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250 - Norman Finkelstein: Trump, Israel, Gaza, and the Criminalization of Dissent

May 11, 2025

Guest

Norm Finkelstein

Norman Finkelstein, a political scientist and expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shares his insights on current events and dissent in academia. He dives into the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, critiques U.S. foreign policy, and discusses the complexities surrounding ceasefires. Finkelstein also tackles issues of free speech, identity politics, and antisemitism, illuminating how political narratives shape these debates. The conversation is not just informative but challenges listeners to think critically about contentious topics in today's climate.

03:00:19

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INSIGHT

Trump's Limited Ceasefire Agenda

Trump's ceasefire focused solely on hostage exchange, neglecting Gaza's humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
Israel exploited this to resume its destructive campaign against Gaza unrestricted.

insights

INSIGHT

US-Israel Overlapping Interests

US and Israeli interests largely overlap in maintaining Israel's deterrence over the Arab world.
This includes accepting massive civilian destruction in Gaza to reinforce that deterrence capability.

insights

INSIGHT

Origins of Academic Freedom Assaults

Attacks on academic freedom began before Trump under Biden, driven by Jewish billionaire supremacists' agenda.
Trump intensified the trend, but financial power and ideological motives are the main forces behind it.

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Ceasefire Complexities: U.S. and Israel in Gaza

02:02 • 28min

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Navigating Academic Freedom and Social Dynamics

29:52 • 30min

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Concerns Over Academia and Political Complicity

01:00:11 • 5min

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Navigating Political Narratives and Free Speech

01:05:01 • 29min

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Reflections on Language and Its Impact in Political Discourse

01:33:56 • 4min

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Navigating Jewish Identity and Free Speech

01:37:54 • 21min

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The Role of Music and Censorship in Early Cinema

01:58:55 • 3min

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Controversial Dialogues on Intelligence and Race

02:01:40 • 3min

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The Stifling of Dissent: Historical Narratives and Modern Implications

02:04:47 • 4min

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The Dangers of Suppressing Free Speech and the Use of Labels

02:08:33 • 4min

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Engaging with Unwelcome Ideas

02:12:56 • 14min

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Complexities of Israeli Discourse

02:26:29 • 23min

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Struggles and Survival: Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

02:49:43 • 13min

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Norman Finkelstein received his PhD from the Princeton University Politics Department, and is best known for his research on Israel and Palestine. Norman also appeared on episodes 192, 218, 228, and 244, where he addressed the facts and fictions generated by the Israel-Hamas War, October 6th, allegations of genocide and apartheid, Hezbollah, the Holocaust, and more. In this episode, Robinson and Norman discuss Trump, the current state of Gaza, the fate of Palestine, wokeness, Bernies Sanders, Chuck Schumer, antisemitism, free speech, and other topics. 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).

Norman’s Website: https://www.normanfinkelstein.com

OUTLINE

00:01:11 Norman’s Predictions for the War

00:10:12 Trump and the End of the Ceasefire

00:14:29 Why Didn’t The Democrats Strike a Ceasefire in Israel?

00:25:50 A Jeremy Corbin Witch Hunt?

00:29:52 On Wokeness and DEI

00:54:01 Bernie Sanders and the Working Class

00:57:16 Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer, and Anti-Semitism

01:04:17 Is Trump a Slave to Money, Power, and Putin?

01:11:02 Is Chuck Schumer’s Definition of Anti-Semitism Terrible?

01:19:52 Free Speech and Academia

01:24:34 How Norman Feels About Being Academically Canceled

01:27:45 On Noam Chomsky’s Deceptiveness

01:29:42 More on the Cancelation

01:34:13 How Should We Define Anti-Semitism?

01:43:45 What Should We Do With Holocaust Deniers?

01:47:14 On W.E.B Du Bois

01:58:31 On Race and IQ

02:01:35 Suppression of Free Speech

02:09:02 How to Prevent Another Holocaust

02:18:18 Chuck Schumer is Wrong About Media Echo Chambers

02:22:01 How to Fight Violent Hate

02:35:58 On Chuck Schumer’s Backstory and the Holocaust

02:40:05 Cleaning the Augean Stables of Gaza Scholarship

02:46:21 What Changed on October 7th

02:48:59 Gaza Is Already Rubble: What’s Next?

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