The Finkelsteinization of The Gaza Conflict: An Uncensored Special Presentation

Raiders of the Unknown (Mystic-Skeptic Radio)

In this week’s show out guest is Raphael, a religious Jew who lives in Israel near the West Bank. As students of history we are looking for answers to the ethical as well as moral concerns about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the latest episode of the Jimmy Dore Show Dr. Norman Finkelstein displayed many inconsistencies in his approach to the issue. Although, I respect his work I also feel that it is important to hold people accountable for their rhetoric. He justifies Hamas' incursion as a last ditch effort for freedom. However, in 2012 I contacted him and asked him the following questions:
1. What do you think would be a national solution for the Palestinian people since they have two territories controlled by two different parties. Is there a three state solution that is possible?
2. If the people living in the Palestinian territories have not been able to create a sustainable government in order for them to achieve their aspirations for a nation including seccesion, what is the international community to do to help them become independent?
3. What rules of war should be used when the two opposing parties do not agree on any type of conventional norms such as the treatment of captives fairly, not shooting at civilian targets and not using certain weapons which are indiscriminate while hitting targets and the area around them?
4. Israeli supporters of the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank claim that the checkpoints are necessary for security.
5. Lately Palestinian writers and supporters have been calling Gaza a ghetto, calling the offence against Gaza worse than the Holocaust and saying that the attacks on civilians are similar to pogroms. Is it really fair to use terms that are painful to the Jewish people to compare current events with Jewish persecution throughout history?
6. According to Reza Aslan’s dissertation on Muslim Nationalist groups there is a difference between Islamist (Muslim Nationalist groups), Jihadists ( who want global domination) and moderate Muslims who are the majority. Do you feel that Hamas has changed the debate since they would fall under an Islamist framework?
7. According to Democracy now, Egypt is also blowing up the tunnels that connect Gaza with the outside. Is there any legitimate concern about weapons being smuggled into Gaza to support militant groups instead of a legitimate military?
9. Do you stand against all forms of military wars, both of aggression and defense?
10. Do you think Israel is racist and imperialistic like some of the other critics say? Do you differentiate between the hackish current leaders and some racist Ultra-orthodox taking over the political parties in Israel and the population of Israel and other Jews in America?
We left conversation there after he shared being unavailable to address these concerns in full. In my opinion people's minds are being poisoned by two conflictive narratives which are neither fully true nor absolute and in a binary world we will never find a common ground if we compare people to nazis, the most hated evil group in human history.

Mystic-Skeptic Radio produces programs such as Uncensored & Raiders of the Unknown. Some of the ongoing series are: Jesus The Israelite, Anti-Semitism Rising & Paul's Legacy (all available on our YouTube channels). In the past 8 years we have featured academics (Amy Jill Levine) , presidential candidates( Howie Hawkins), Commentators (Jay Michaelson) , Advocates (Vanessa Guillen), Scholars(John Dominic Crossan) and Holistic Healers (Rosemary Gladstar). We have taken deep dives on the topics of human trafficking, ancient civilizations, demonology and the occult, social movements, controversial topics and many of the current affairs affecting our society. Join us as as we explore the mystic-skeptic mind space…