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Norman Finkelstein
86quotes
Norman Finkelstein
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Norman Finkelstein was born as Naum Finkelstein, but he is commonly known by his adopted name.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 8, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Currently active, no available information on death date.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
American scholar of Jewish descent, best known for his work as a professor and author focusing on Holocaust studies, Zionism, and US foreign policy.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that survived the Holocaust, Norman Finkelstein's early life was marked by a strong sense of social justice. His mother, Zelda, lost her parents and siblings during World War II. This experience deeply influenced his perspective on politics and human rights. He received his undergraduate degree from Binghamton University (then Harpur College) in 1974.
Major Accomplishments
Finkelstein earned his Ph.D. in political science from Princeton University in 1989, with a dissertation titled "The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering." This work would later become the title and central theme of his critically acclaimed book, published in 2000.
Notable Works or Actions
The Holocaust Industry, Finkelstein's influential book, sparked controversy with its arguments that Israel uses the Holocaust to justify its actions toward Palestinians. He also gained notoriety for his critiques of Zionism and Israeli policies in the Occupied Territories. Finkelstein has written extensively on these topics and has been a vocal critic of US foreign policy.
Impact and Legacy
Norman Finkelstein's work challenges conventional narratives surrounding the Holocaust, Israel's founding, and its subsequent actions. His critiques have been met with both praise from those who see him as a courageous truth-teller and criticism from those who view his views as anti-Semitic. Despite this controversy, he has become a leading voice in discussions about US foreign policy, Zionism, and human rights.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Finkelstein is widely quoted for his sharp critiques of Israeli policies, the role of the Holocaust in modern politics, and his analysis of US involvement in international conflicts. His work has sparked debate across academic and political circles.
Quotes by Norman Finkelstein
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My parents often wondered why I would grow so indignant at the falsification and exploitation of the Nazi genocide. The most obvious answer is that it has been used to justify criminal policies of the Israeli state and U.S. support for these policies.
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I earn – I’m not – I don’t want to claim I’m a scholar of great stature, but I have made a certain reputation for myself, I’ve published several books, I’ve never been able to get a permanent teaching job.
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I don’t feel particularly attached to Israel – ‘nationalism,’ as Noam Chomsky said, ‘is not my cup of tea’ – but I feel no particular need to demonize it.
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You know, frankly speaking, money just doesn’t figure largely in my world view.
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People are motivated by the desires for privilege, for power, for profit. Those are not shocking revelations. Anyone who’s had any experience in life knows these things.
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September 11 was a godsend for Israel. It could now conjoin its merciless persecution of the Palestinians with Bush’s War against Terror. But my impression is that it wasn’t altogether successful.
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There’s nothing Israel can do without US support. It can’t breathe without US support. The US bankrolls everything, and it’s just silly to think that Israel can do anything without the support.
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Everybody wants peace. That’s a truism. There is no point in accomplishing through war what you can accomplish through peace.
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When I was a young man, my mother said to me, ‘You can’t be a communist without being a militant atheist.’ So I had to be a militant atheist because I wanted to be a communist.
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