Norman Finkelstein’s lifelong rebellion and new war on woke | The InnerView

The InnerView meets esteemed American political scientist and activist Norman Finkelstein at his home in New York City. Finkelstein discusses why he was compelled to write his latest book, “I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It!” on why he believes modern identity politics, cancel culture and being “woke” are insincere and ineffectual vehicles for true change that have been co-opted by the status quo.
The child of Holocaust survivors, Finkelstein is best known for his staunch criticism of Israel and tells Imran Garda how it feels to be labelled a holocaust denier and self-hating Jew. Finkelstein also addresses his fall from grace within some Palestinian circles after taking issue with the BDS movement.
00:00 Intro
01:10 New Book - ‘I’ll Burn That Bridge When I Get to It!’
02:40 The Bernie Sanders phenomenon
06:35 What is ‘Identity politics’?
09:58 Why the super-rich donate millions of dollars to politicians?
11:34 On Black Lives Matter
12:53 Rosa Luxemburg - True left-wing figure
15:00 A self-hating Jew?
18:30 Earning respect
23:20 The choice. Fame and fortune or truth and justice?
24:06 Former “rockstar” of the Palestinian solidarity movement
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[@davidlamb7524]

"When I started to get too popular I began to worry that I was doing something wrong " How profound !

[@MoDinn90]

its a loaded statement although he might've been getting popular with one group he was becoming unpopular with another.

[@davidlamb7524]

@@MoDinn90 Good point

[@adnanbosnian5051]

Anyone who is made popular is fake.

[@maxfedor1]

@@MoDinn90but that’s almost true in every sense. Not just in our extreme polarized society globally, but throughout history. Of course he was talking about inside supposed left culture where he was “ a Rockstar” very rarely is someone popular with all people.

[@seennuna9100]

Profound statement ! Still reflecting on it..

[@dianagwinn8143]

Norman Finkelstein has what most do not, a refined moral center.

[@effa2985]

Extraordinarily refined mind

[@zippymufo9765]

@@effa2985 He's the best that the Left has. So much of what "left wing" consists of now is empty mindless rhetoric spread via social media. Finkelstein has always cut through to the substance.

[@j_freed]

Norman Finkelstein had decency and seriousness deeply fire-branded into his conscience by the generational trauma of his Holocaust-orphaned parents, presumably strong people and definitely outspoken individuals who may have barely survived the Auschwitz and Majdanek Nazi concentration camps. Now I find his economic politics strange, guys like him and Chomsky believe in benevolent state-controlled (haha oxymoron alert!) wealth redistribution and socialized ownership of property. But I feel in Norman's case such views stem from a sense of goodness that to him is important above all. I have been once to the Dachau camp memorial. I believe he sees our current path as humanity's certain way to violence and subjugation and privation, dehumanization and destruction. How else could one look to Communism and Marxism as desperate, radical re-imaginings of society ( and these systems paradoxically put a lot of faith in SOME people's human nature.) Particularly since he decided to forego the security of wealth, popularity and fame in the way people usually try to exploit these for their enjoyment. He was quite willing to gamble away his academic career even for the quite unworthy Alan Dershowitz, who as a fool learned of course nothing & defamed him so cravenly in return.

[@MrAbuYaz]

Norman is a coward.

[@humbertsmith8864]

Perfect

[@leoanazemi3797]

A true decent human he risked and put his personal gains to stand up for truth,we owe a lot to people like Norman

[@shoaib-ww7ed]

agree with there are many jews are against zoinism .people like him and [ miko pelad ]he is a son of israeli general who lived there

[@theuzair6507]

"It's a good feeling to be respected so as long as you feel like you earned the respect." - Norman Finkelstein

[@muntahafaiaaz]

This man needs so much more exposure

[@aleksandrl6740]

Couldn't agree more. His scholarship and research are too valuable to lose in obscurity. He risked and lost a great deal for standing up for truth.

[@stutzbearcat5624]

Exactly why HE DOESN'T GET IT.

[@explorerofunknownworlddept6232]

One of his brothers is a capitalist ($£€¥ 💰)​, and married a Chinese woman, has a so handsome son @jbird6561

[@explorerofunknownworlddept6232]

​@jbird6561watch documentary movie 《American Radical -- 》near 2 hours, produced in 2009, about his tenure event ending time.

[@larrydickman5936]

Finkelstein is beacon of light in a dark corner of this world

[@shay-cr6mt]

"The human capacity for self-delusion is infinite." Norman Finklestein is a legend. God bless this man.

[@philipangelo595]

Wasn't that beautiful!!

[@ashimov1970]

💯

[@jaybryant5691]

He's a hack. Has a worthless degree in political science. Thinks he is an intellectual. Intellectual's never have any answers but they are quick to find problems and point fingers. That's because they have nothing else to do. His parents were Russian sympathizers and he was a maoist. Everything is the fault of the west. Never mentions all this could have been avoided if at any time the Palestinians would have actually negotiated for peace. Never mentions they don't want peace. They refuse to compromise. Always falls in the lap of the west and Israel. I guess we are the only ones that have any responsibility for actions. Read Thomas sowell's Intellectuals and Society . Eye opening. These clowns love the benefits of western society but hate western society.

[@longsilver1]

Normand and you are examples of it….. Delusional

[@longsilver1]

@@philipangelo595ah, no it wasn’t

[@eliti4806]

One of the last heroes of our time

[@phasespace4700]

Who are the others-Kid Rock and Ted Cruz? Because that's what Finkelstein is starting to sound like.

[@zippymufo9765]

@@phasespace4700 No, he's a genuine socialist who's pointing out that superficial "performative wokeness" is a tool of the establishment to divide people via race/gender/sexual orientation instead of uniting them via class. It's not a coincidence that corporations have enthusiastically embraced such policies. We now spend more time defining ourselves by our differences than by our shared conditions.

[@dewbiedewdew]

@@phasespace4700 It's only the beginning. The Right seems to be gaining momentum in both the Americas and Europe. All thanks to the Left overplaying their hand they have birthed the very thing they oppose. There is hope yet.

[@benjamins8082]

​@@phasespace4700do you Haye jews

[@rcquakes30]

​@phasespace4700 Why because he is not a identity politics neoliberal like you. Class politics number one followed by race

[@willyjoe3000]

I whole heartedly agree with Norman. As an older leftist, I've been able to see woke politics displacing class consciousness since the beginning. It's really disheartening.

[@arminius6506]

You leftist sold your souls to the rich liberal elite and this is only happening because 😂 you lefties

[@Angela-kc5ui]

Agree

[@Howyanow]

Democrats aren’t on the left anymore, they have just as many business interests as republicans so they need to keep the structure as it is

[@vichikes]

A lot of "woke politics" comes from mainstream liberals and not as much from DSA/Bernie Sanders/socialists, though the latter are still attuned to some PC things.

[@JesusGallardo-bl1jt]

The left has been toxic since it’s inception. It’s nature is evil.

[@aleksandrl6740]

Finkelstein is one of the few scholars with integrity.

[@mirkovic]

This man humbleness is sorbering

[@stevenhines5550]

I love Dr. Finkelstein's mind

[@MCXM111]

Finkelstein is a legend! A good man.

[@CHIPIONES]

The more I know about Mr. Finkelstein, the more I admire his views and his courage!

[@bobomber]

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).” ― Mark Twain

[@loltom3703]

Taylor swift fans should ponder this quote lol

[@oa199]

"...I was reasonably intelligent, and as a young man I was quite good looking...", how modest of M.Finkelstein! You are brilliant, and you are still very good looking!

[@saposmirones]

I love Finkelstein honesty all across the board.

[@asahmed1980]

His intellect is beyond me. A great man. Thank you Professor Finkelstein for your service to humanity. Humbly so.

[@JRain234]

Agreed. And then to hear him speak of Chomsky as "a truly titanic mind" who was "way beyond me" is truly humbling. Finkelstein rocks.

[@SandiegoRockstar]

A kind man who is sincere to his conscience.

[@paulwhetstone0473]

It’s always a pleasure to hear Norman talk about ANY subject.

[@sloopycat1954]

This Gentleman oozes intellect, integrity, kindness and compassion. Great video thankyou.

[@rachelwinkel6408]

Norman Finkelstein is my hero.

[@Raelspark]

Who's your villain?

[@Liberty-rn4wy]

I heard someone today say something like the real man or true man walks alone. So if he is alone, he's a kind of hero.

[@MonaLisa-lu8zi]

👌

[@TheSpoovy]

You can sense the commitment to honesty in every word.

[@kismetrahman5825]

Why i love watching Prof Norman Finkelstein? because all the sentences that come out of his tongue are based on considerations of logic/knowledge, facts and truth. Currently, the world needs figures like him more, also like his mentors; Prof. Chomsky, and also his colleague Prof. J Mearsheimer. Currently with limited resources and the strong push of materialistic culture the world has abandoned ethics and the wisdom of reason and success is judged only from material/financial matters. Even despite humanity and equality. the world needs teachers who provide advise based on facts, logical wisdom and facts. May God always give protection and blessings to him and people like him and his family. Insyaallah🤲❤️🤲

[@na1950]

Let each of us buy professor Finklestein's book called Image and Reality for $22 to support him for his human endeavor. Ordered my copy today !

[@brehgankage6242]

Guy is an absolute legend.

[@musopaul5407]

Wonderful! No-one talks like this man anymore. He's an inspiration.

[@andrewlim9345]

Thankd for hosting Norman Finkelstein.

[@saintz177]

He is a kind honest humble human being

[@abuzuhm]

So nice to see Dr. Finkelstein again.

[@btugrul]

Great interview! Prof. Finkelstein has long been away from media, for obvious reasons, and we really miss to hear his ideas that we value a lot. Thanks a lot for this brilliant interview!

[@cat_106]

I have huge respect for Dr Norman.

[@sidensvans67]

Norman Finkelstein . Interesting , intelligence , integrity .

[@hugohernandez4259]

Norman is a human treasure! Unfiltered, raw truth 🙌

[@dvegule920]

Mr Finkelstein I admire your integrity and wisdom. What is this young guy asking? Look at Mr Finkelstein face it tells you all. He is a happy man, he is living his life and he is satisfied. You can see it!

[@minitman73]

In these days it is hard to find an honest and principled individual. Norman Finkelstein is such an individual.

[@bonitajanssen745]

Excellent. What we SHOULD ALL aspire to be. 🕊

[@barrycohen311]

Norman, use sunscreen on your daily excursions to Brighten Beach and Coney Island. I love you Brother, keep the faith... You are one of the rare public intellectuals who made good sense these days,

[@MR-tn5kv]

I love Finkelstein, especially these days it’s so important to have intelligent, thoughtful humanists lead dialogue & questioning in our society…

[@Liquidbae]

And he has morals

[@mohammedsiddeek6540]

A great man, one in a million

[@zzulm]

Norman Finkelstein brings clarity 👍

[@onderrrr]

Finkelstein's life and work correspond to what Kierkegaard describes as finding "the idea (the truth) for which (one is) willing to live and die".

[@combconcept952]

I’m not pro Palestinian I’m not pro Israel I’m pro truth - Dr Norman Finkelstein. May God continue to guide you

[@LovingFeelingThinking]

Prof. Norman Finkelstein is such an outstanding man of integrity, humility, and intellect.

[@mars54mars54]

Norman has the most amazing mind, and I love his absolutely rock solid integrity, and that he wastes no energy on mincing words. We could use a lot more blunt truth like this. "I think the capacity for self delusion is infinite." ...perhaps the greatest problem of the human ego.

[@Daibamaikati69]

absolutley rock solid integrity.. no question. rock solid

[@seymourbutts4654]

Everyone should be senstive to injustice.

[@unknownunknown2576]

I have so much respect for this man. He speaks the truth no matter who its for or against

[@amnhawk1738]

NF is legendary hero for Palestine, ...

[@gretapansini1258]

Another wonderful conversation with Norm Finkelstein, he makes so much sense. Thank you!!

[@W.T.F.D]

Absaloutly love this man.

[@humbertsmith8864]

Kudos for the interview! I interviewed Norman decades ago and he is still resolute!

[@dodopoopinpoop]

All facts. I found his opinions on the Palestine/Israel issue. Very impressed and people tried to diminish him by saying he's anti-woke. Well I watched this and I walked away agreeing with him 100% again. Especially when he talked about Bernie and how idiots used woke politics to derail the most left campaign in many generations.

[@abdiiabduosman4746]

Great Man

[@SK-fp8us]

A man of great dignity and humanity...

[@marymatthews678]

The sign of a truly intelligent person - the willingness to consider that they are wrong. He evaluated woke politics and came to the (right) conclusion. It's nuts.

[@ordinaryvalley]

Norman has my utmost respect as a human being.

[@swinbot]

❤ Dr. Finkelstein!

[@peterhardie4151]

Tremendous courage. Ferocious and brilliant.

[@khurrammalik7273]

respect for prof !

[@Rogue_Terminator]

He is a gem.

[@Guy-lo3ld]

I really appreciate how he has been doing so many interesting interviews. I find his insights very thought-provoking in this somewhat confusing and changing time period.

[@robertstan298]

I fell in love with him after I saw his famous "crocodile tears" rebuttal to those brainwashed woke zionists. Been loving basically all of his interviews and speeches since. Am in the process of getting some of his books. Also, the fact that he's a hardcore leftist (in the true, class-conscious sense, not that westernized/liberal nonsense/CIA cultural psyop sense) was not only iceing one the cake, but the base of the cake itself, for me at least.

[@realolivertwisted]

Just bought the last copy of The H.o.l.o.c.a.u.s.t. Industry in all Texas’ Half Price Books stores. Their website said it was unavailable but I decided to call the one closest to me and they said they didn’t have any but a different store in Austin *might* have a copy. Called them and they had one copy with no book jacket. I asked them to hold it and drove over there and bought it, and the woman said it was the last one in Texas (Half Price Books stores). It’s not available on Amazon, haven’t checked Barnes & Noble. His website links to Versa (publisher) & it’s not available on there either. I took a picture of it next to Half Price Books’ list of “banned” books, ALL of which they sell & have plenty of copies of. 🤡

[@heretolearn107]

U re not alone .I have to admit that the liberal has occupied/conquered the left . Still I’m happy so see honest figure like Norma Finkelstein warn us about this fake leftism .

[@AngiereeRN]

Same. That video is how I discovered him and learned about the plight of the Palestinians. I’ve been fascinated ever since

[@user-gu7lv9gk8m]

Leftism is a satanic psychop. Liberalism is the cure.

[@JuanRomero-ot7db]

ThIs man is incredible!!! We need these people….

[@marionmarcetic7287]

May GOD Richly Bless You Prof. Norman Finkelstein! For Standing Up And Speaking The Truth! That's So Wonderful But Rare In Today's World.🌺🌺🌺🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇮🇱♾️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🗽🦅‼️

[@bonitajanssen745]

DONALD JOHANN DRUMPF 666 AMERICA IS MYSTERY BABYLON “WRITTEN” ON HER “FOREHEAD” ~ MAGA BABYLON THE GREAT + AMERICA THE GREAT “Conform no longer with the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.” The Holy Bible

[@salemfathi2532]

Great man, courageous intellectual

[@jaybell1390]

RESPECT!

[@ranimercury]

I so much adore Mr.Finkelstein and his outright honesty. Especially many people out of trying to be polite do not spit out negative words. But at least in politics it's very essential to be outright and be honest about opinions and thoughts. I have learned so much from Mr.Finkelstein. I wish him good health and wishing him to keep speaking the truth to power..

[@joeseph.]

I love that he says the truth ,god bless him.

[@thomasmuntzer1004]

there is no god.

[@joeseph.]

God said in the Quran : ﴿أَم خُلِقوا مِن غَيرِ شَيءٍ أَم هُمُ الخالِقونَ﴾ [الطور: ٣٥] (35) Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? ﴿أَم خَلَقُوا السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضَ بَل لا يوقِنونَ﴾ [الطور: ٣٦] (36) Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain. - English Translation

[@saadiaarslanturk2850]

Honorable gentleman 💞

[@maitesomellera9949]

You are My hero

[@Mhh90]

Hope he lives a long healthy life. Would love to meet him someday.

[@patrick4662]

He has

[@LongDefiant]

This interview could have been a lot longer. I don't care what he thinks, I want to know why he thinks it.

[@FreeePalestine1]

Mr Norman is a absolute legend alive, God bless him and prayers for him, God show him the truth light 🕯️ in this life Amen.

[@ralphbaier7793]

I bow to the very ground before your wisdom, thought, humour and heart, Sir, and I dearly and desperately hope that my ancestors weren’t among those that tortured, murdered and cremated yours. If there ever were a chance for the better in this world, it would be because those who suffered forgive. Thank you for walking so tall.

[@grapes2233]

HAS he ever said he is not a semite?

[@ralphbaier7793]

@@grapes2233 ?

[@josephcaruso7815]

He's a remarkable person.

[@thatch]

Amazing interview, and very well balanced by the interviewer. Got the best out of Norm. I only wish it was thrice the length!

[@sadikur69]

Respect for this guy he lost everything for fighting for Palestinian

[@liberalizzzm4908]

I love him. Such a respectable man.

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

I love this conversation. Finkelstein is absolutely right in my opinion, and articulates very clearly what has bothered me for so long but I didn't have the words to express. Thank you for the very informative video.

[@fmitsinc9146]

This man is a principled human being. I salute him

[@Draxtor]

Thank you! Big respect to Norm. I bought his latest book, currently reading. Don’t agree with everything but very important food for thought.

[@connor1414]

Very good speaking from him

[@naturegirl4803]

Very good interview.

[@fredmiami]

A good person and an intellectual treasure who puts moral first. May Allah swt preserve Mr. N. F.

[@user-xq6xu3fo8c]

Norman is the man !

[@oswinhaas]

In times of exponentially growing hypocrisy this interview is like a candle light in the dark.

[@iilish]

I am loving the critique of woke politics from the left. For many of us it has jumped the shark.

[@zippymufo9765]

Woke politics are a tool of capitalism to keep people divided by race/gender/sexual orientation instead of united by shared class conditions.

[@Based_Proletariat]

Racist?

[@harrymohamad]

InshaaAllah heaven for u Sir i pray everyday for you.

[@GizmoMaxx]

Amazing Professor with Amazing Work !

[@ogui523]

Was not enough interview. Please, I'm fascinanted with his personality, life, honestly and open talk

[@sabine3769]

I think these videos need to be shared. I completely agree with his thoughts.

[@elisebrodeur-jacobs5215]

Absolutely love and respect Norman Finkelstein, thank you thank you thank you

[@Madam83]

LOVE Norman… such a great mind, and beautiful man. Could listen to him speak all day ❤

[@SARIF272]

A very enlightened man with golden heart.May Allah bless him ❤

[@user-kc9ju9jn8x]

Norman Finkelstein is a giant of our times! Knowledge and reason in a world lacking both!!!

[@NinaKingBlkn]

I have been thinking about wokeism in the context of being left and he explained this so well. Thank you Finkelstein!

[@pinnitt]

Incredibly important interview.

[@ogui523]

We need more interview with him!

[@korlu01]

My god if I didn’t love this man already from just recently discovering him from the current Israel Palestine conflict 🥹 what a gem! What a gift from god. I love you sir!