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Letter: Mr. Finkelstein, Let's Be Fair

Class of 2015

Published: Monday, April 30, 2012

Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012 21:04

Yes, I agree we need to get rid of the settlements, the occupied territories need to be given back, the treatment of Palestinian refugees is unacceptable and the Palestinian people today are victims whose cry for help needs to be heard.

That's not a reason, however, to go to college campuses and universities and give extremely one-sided accounts of the conflict and bash a country that, though just like any other place, has done many wrong things, has also done many great things and continues to do so today and so many would like to see destroyed. Understanding and stating the multiple pieces of the puzzle—that leads to progress and peace Mr. Finkelstein. You, on the other hand will only promote hate!

William Van den Broeck

Class of 2015

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4 comments

Anonymous
Tue May 8 2012 19:40
Impressive quality in all 3 responses. This site certainly is no CNN, Yahoo news or Fox news.
Thank you all, I'm learning a lot today.
Anonymous
Wed May 2 2012 01:04
Norman made it very clear that the purpose of the event is not about what you think nor what others thinks, but what the public wants. Many of us were able to distinguish the core problem. As result, we end up thinking differently and more openly. Also the amount of student who were able to come shows how the amount of people are seeking solutions. Apparently your article sends a different message. If you think Norman was not fear at that day, then you're probably talking about a different Norman.
Anonymous
Mon Apr 30 2012 20:07
Finkelstein consistently advocates a peaceful resolution to conflict based on the international consensus. i.e., a 2 state settlement based on the June 1967 borders with mutually agreed upon a land swaps.

Sounds like for the most part you agree with him. Why are you so upset?
Also, you need to edit your letter. Israel certainly was not attacked in June 1967. Israel attached Egypt, not the other way around.

Good books on the topic include, Tom Segev's book, "1967" or Zeev Maoz's book, "Defending the Holly Land". Both great scholars from Israel.

Eva Smagacz
Mon Apr 30 2012 07:29
Dear Mr. Van den Broeck,

Taking into account that 99% of Mass Media misrepresent, and has been consistently representing since 1950ties the Israel Palestinian problem painting the picture of aggressive terrorist Palestinians and fearful defensive Israel, the information imparted by Dr. Finkelstein does turn a tide a tiny little bit.
I guess when the remaining 99% of Mass Media will start, fairly, include information that Dr. Finkelstein talks about, then you could have an argument.
Right know it sounds like an attempt to undermine him without arguing with Dr. Finkelstein on merit of his lecture.

Your type of argument (Lets talk about other countries first) is equivalent of a robber being caught red-handed and him arguing passionately that as not all thieves and robbers in the precinct have been apprehended before he was, his arrest is pure victimization.

Vile and horrific things are being done to Palestinians every day by Israel and Israelis every day as a matter of national policy. It was carefully hidden from American taxpayer before the advent of Internet.

Dr. Finkelstein was one of the first to talk about it - it cost him his job and very nearly cost him his reputation. He has been vindicated by ever increasing ranks of followers who, led by his example, found civil courage to speak up.





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