Norman Finkelstein: Essays for Palestine

Norman G. Finkelstein photo

Norman G. FinkelsteinNew York, USA07 July 2015

Norman Finkelstein: Essays for Palestine

Leading academic writing exclusively for Byline on Israel-Palestine, the new antisemitism, and more.

Note from Byline: Norman Finkelstein's essay on Amnesty International will be published from 8th of July in 14 approximately 1,200-word installments twice every week over a 50 day period.

Update from Dr Norman Finkelstein: The names of all contributors to this fundraising project who wish to be acknowledged will appear on the plaque.

For three decades Norman Finkelstein has been a leading researcher of the Israel-Palestine conflict. His highly documented analyses have sought to expose what he sees as apologetics for Israel’s ‘atrocities’ in the Palestinian territories, while pointing the way to a just and lasting peace.

If he raises $100,000 in the next two months, Finkelstein will continue his column for a full year. Every cent of his proceeds from the Byline column will be donated to fund desperately needed medical equipment in Gaza’s Al-Awda hospital.

“The staff at Al Awda hospital welcomes the initiative that Professor Norman Finkelstein will launch in collaboration with Byline, as it is vitally important for ensuring the continuation of health services for the poorest and most disadvantaged in the Gaza strip.”

-Dr Tayseer Sultan, Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) at Al Awda Hospital, Gaza

Read more about Al Awda Hopsital at the Oxfam blog here.

Here is the original letter to potential supporters of this Byline project from Dr Tayseer Sultan, Union of Health Work Committees (UHWC) at Al Awda Hospital, Gaza.

*****

Hi,

My name is Norm Finkelstein. I write and speak primarily on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but also on other related topics such as anti-Semitism and the Nazi holocaust.

If I am able to raise $100,000 in the next two months, I will commit myself to writing a fortnightly Byline column for a full year. All the monies I raise will be used to purchase medical equipment for al-Awda hospital in Gaza, which was severely damaged during Israel’s brutal assault in 2014. I hope to place a plaque in the hospital in memory of my beloved parents:

Zacharias and Maryla Husyt Finkelstein --

Survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto,

Maijdanek and Auschwitz Death Camps

I am very excited by the prospect of writing regularly for Byline. I have never enjoyed access to mainstream or even “progressive” media. It will be my first opportunity to reach and influence a broad audience. I have already prepared three articles

• on the “new anti-Semitism” (I argue it’s concocted by Israel to stifle criticism of its criminal policies)

• on the betrayal of human rights organizations (I expose Amnesty International’s apologetics for Israel in its recent reports on Gaza)

• on the meaning of academic freedom (I reveal, for the first time, the sordid details of my tenure-denial case).

I also hope to comment on breaking news. There’s a fair chance that the UN Security Council will soon table a resolution that fatally compromises Palestinian rights, and that Israel will attack Lebanon this coming summer. I want to use my column to alert and guide readers as these ominous developments unfold.

Ours is a mutual, and mutually exhilarating, challenge: if you help me provide hospital equipment for Gaza, I’ll do my best to keep you informed.

Let's do it!

Best,

Norm Finkelstein

Byline is the world’s most visited crowdfunded journalism site. For readers, we promise to remain an ad-free space with no secret corporate agenda. For writers, we guarantee editorial freedom and direct interaction with your readers. Please contact us at [email protected] for any queries about the platform or our journalists.

#Israel, #Palestine, #Amensty International, #Academia, #Middle East, #Gaza, #Al Awdah Hospital, #Antisemitism

Risks and Challenges

Gaza strip is still under Israeli siege since 2007. Our challenge is to allow the purchased needed medical equipment into the Gaza strip from either the Rafah or Erez crossing. Israel can wage another war on the Gaza strip. The demolishing of the medical facility that we funded continues to be, like all Gaza, at the risk of being bombed and destroyed.

118

Dude, tell Bibi he is fired!

Your work and your passion is inspiring and deeply heartfelt.

Gracias por su actitud y su conocimiento. Ambos nos ayudan sobremanera. Su último libro me ha permitido completar este artículo:
http://candideresiste.blogspot.com.es/2015/09/les-vendeurs-de-guerre-et-le-salon-de.html
Ojalá un día los niños palestinos tengan la infancia que intento tenga mi hija. Muy agradecido por su iniciativa.

With LOVE to PALESTINE!

Hi Norm,
If you would be so kind, I'd like to put my late son's name (Max Judge), to the plaque in lieu of my own. Were he still here, he surely would have supported you with all the fervour I have in his absence.

Looking forward to the new year of your writing for Byline, thanks for raising our awareness.

Thank you Dr. Finkelstein for your good work and fighting for justice.

Respect!

I respect you Norman. Here is an old interview of your mother by Democracy Now: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_u0J0sW_WiOBuD-0CwQdEfUwf1yIZw2h

BRAVO!!!! So glad the aim was reached!!! Thank you for initiating the project Dr Finkelstein and warm regards to the people of Gaza.

A small contribution goes a long way and I'm glad that I can be a part of this. Thanks everyone and thank you, Norman. :-)

Wonderful! Congratulations everybody, everyone who supported the project and especially to Norm and the Al Awda Hospital!

Congratulations everybody, especially you Norm. Bravo!!

SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

You did it!! Mazel tov!!

WE DID IT , Norman! $100,000 Raised!
Thank you for all your hard work and faith in this project. You are a wonderful man and an inspiration. I feel proud to have to participated in such a worthy collective effort!

Dr Finkelsein you are doing such a positive work and I am glad I am part of it. I would like the money I have donated to go to Gaza Hospital. Thank you.

Norman, I want to thank you for this wonderful project. Please let me know beyond this project what I can do to help you and your cause. Thanks again.

One more donation for the road...
Blessings to NORMAN FINKELSTEIN!
and
Blessings to TEAM FINKELSTEIN!!!!!!

Good work Mr norman

Almost there! Bless all the good people who donated, and all the people working in the Hospital. Norman Finkelstein is a modern day living legend! Love from Irieland.

so close to being 100% funded! hope you reach your goal soon!

Gaza strip in not only under siege since 2007, but it is under occupation since 1967. Since then, the living conditions were unbearable and the world just watching!!!

Let us all cooperate in tweeting, posting, and word of the mouth publicise this nobel cause...thanks Norman for your humanity and thanks for providing us with this opportunity to do the least, which is not enough, to support.

Let's keep the money rolling in for people of Gaza. We support Israel's war crimes way more with our tax dollars!

Norman, you are a true inspiration. God bless you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Norman for all you do for the people of occupied Palestine in their desperate need.

Amanda

Norman's sacrifices and brutal honesty has been evident throughout his work and I doubt no person questions his passion to further justice and humanity. But aside what is already in the public domain, Norman is a brilliant caring and thoughtful man, and I personally would like to thank him for all he is done in this world, and more selfishly, all he had done for me.

Although you once said "Even if you did brilliantly, we will all be dust in a 100 years", I am sure that dust or no dust, your work, commitment and legacy will live on so long as injustice remains in the world.

From London

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

You Norman Finkelstein are a good man.

All the best from Scotland.

I am very excited!

Looks like TEAM FINKELSTEIN is giving 110%
GO TEAM GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put in my second donation .... we are so close! We must help and we must get to the finish line.

Well done Professor, your work cannot be ignored and will live on long after you it is of the highest scholarly and forensic nature.
You are a true hero.

88%!!! Oh, so close!!!! Way to go, Norman and Friends :)

...remember 1 year ago and give, give and give again!

Thank you Norm Finkelstein. I so appreciate your generosity, tenacity, deep and unwavering humanity and your pursuit of justice.

We're silenced, but we're watching. Be strong.

From Gaza .
Thank you Dear Norman

I wish you all the best for the good work you are doing. This is the moral predicament of our time, we must do whatever we can to help the helpless Palestinians who are essentially living in a prison. You are an example to us all.

I sincerely hope your project be successful. Your contribution to the understanding of the Palestine-Israel issue has been enormous in spite of the many difficulties you have encounter. Many thanks for your noble efforts.

Just to say thank you for all I have learned from you, and thank you for this opportunity to make my small contribution in aid of the people of Gaza.

The world can not thank you enough Norman Finkelstein for your efforts to bring healing to this war torn region. You reflect great hope, as a son of holocaust surviving parents, that the Jews & Palestinians can one day have compassion for each other, as we all deserve! A lesson for all the world! Bless you!

Thank you for everything Mr. Finkelstein for all your hard work. I'm happy to support this great cause and the people of Gaza.

Much respect to you Mr. Norman Finkelstein for all the work you have done over the years, and for this new project to help the people of Gaza and the al-Awda hospital. I look forward to reading your articles for Byline.
Thank you.
Linda Cooper

Thank you for all the work you've done over the years. Leaders like yourself, Chomsky, Hedges, etc. have enlightened many millions of people around the world. Thank you for that. Thank you for making the world a better place. I am deeply appreciative.

Shalom Dr. Finkelstein from a Dr. Martin Luther King jr award recipient here in Indiana. I am writing to request a conversation with you regarding a 21st Century plan for Democracy that will work in America, Israel and all countries around the world. This plan uses Communication Technology to give all people a real and equal voice on the issues affecting their lives. Here is the television interview that explains the plan. I hope that you like it and hope to hear from you. Sincerely, David Frank author of: 300 Million Minds Changing America Piece by Peace www.onevoicenow.org/video

Kudos to you.
For who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.

All love and respect!!

Dear Mr Norman Finkelstein,

Thank you for providing us an avenue to help the people in Gaza.

I just donated in the name of my sister, NORLAILI ABDUL LATIFF through an account named NORZEHA (my name). Before she died, she he had specifically given me a sum of money for the purpose of donation to charity causes and I have chosen to support this cause, in her honor.

I hope, given that you reach the $100,000 target (I pray that you will), my sister's name can be immortalized at Al-Awda Hospital. Thank you.

NORZEHA

Good on your Norman. Keep punching and don't let the ****heads grind you down.

Support from Korea!

Marie Sharkey

It's a privilege to donate to the wonderful people of Palestine.I'm in awe of their great courage in the midst of such suffering.God bless you all.

Tom Partridge.
Dr. Finkelstein,
It is through your books that I have developed a real understanding of the Palestinian cause and their fight for independence. I have the utmost confidence that your target will be reached. However in some unlikely event that it does not happen, I would like my donation to be used Al-Awda hospital in any case.

Mr. Finkelstein. I have a read a lot of blog posts you have written over the time. You have been a very reasoned voice about the conflict. I hope to see the goal of this pledge succeed and that the much needed help to al-awda reaches there the earliest.
I would like the money I have pledged to be used at al-awda irrespective of (in an unfortunate case) whether it hits the 100K mark. Can it be done?

Sir Finkelstein, I am supporting your project to help bring some dignity to the people of Gaza. I would still keep my donation regardless if the project achieves its maximum target. Hats off to you and with all the respect and admiration from us Palestinians all over the world. Shokran Jazeelan Norman.

It was a pleasure to meet you at FAU and have you sign my copy of "Method and Madness: The hidden story of Israel's assaults on Gaza." Thank you for all you do for the people of Palestine.

Norm, if you do not reach your intended goal, I would still like my small donation to reach the Palestinian people.

I am honoured to donate to such a noble cause. My admiration for the the people of Gaza and Norman know no bounds.

Prof. Finkelstein I am a huge admirer of yours and your tireless effort to support the Palestinian people, and it is a privilege to be able to help in some small way to enable you to achieve your goal of purchasing equipment for Al-Awda Hospital in Gaza.

Norman, you are a person of great integrity. It's my privilege to donate to this much needed cause. I look forward to its success.

good luck with everything Norman, your bravery inspires many and more people are listening each month.

Thank you, Dr. Norm! Your voice is deeply appreciated in these troubled times. I'm not a religious person myself, but I completely agree with Nida Davis who in an earlier post thanked you for giving us "hope that the creed of sacred ethics that binds us all as one big human family is resilient and strong."

Thank you very much, Dr. Norman. My heart-felt gratitude and respect for your bold & truthful voice! I DO believe, someday your words will win, & heinous brutality & human rights violations will pay a very high price!

May God bless & guide you every moment of your life. Thank you so much!

Dear Gazans and Norman,

I'm a college student. I couldn't donate much, but I hope you know there are people from all over the world who support you.

Hyoung-yoon Kim

i will donate in your place buddy 10 dollar . ok?

The wonderfully troublesome and always reliable Norman Finkelstein is worth every penny.

I just made a donation, but then looked at the total. Wanted to take it up over the next $1000 mark so made a second (third) small contribution to bring it over $59,000. Come on all contributors. Let's dig a little deeper and get Norm to his $100,000!! I just forwarded the email to people in my solidarity group. We CAN do this! Today, let's try to get to $65,000, and then to $70,000 by tomorrow. Time is running out.

Norman If you do not make it to the $100k mark, please ask those who contributed if they wish their money to be used anyway as a donation. I certainly would like mine to be whether you hit the 100k or not. Cheers

Lets stick it to Dersh!

Bless you!

Thanks for this!

Thank you for doing this.

'STORMIN' NORMAN' We're Marching ON TO VICTORY!

Thanks.

I'm really happy to help for that project.

Keep doing your great work M. Finkelstein, you are a true inspiration for the real human being.

Grateful to help. I too will share as often as I can with everyone I know.

Good Luck with the rest of the amount to be donated. (New Hampshire, USA) Will share where I can and often.

Just donated my part. I'm proud to be a part of something so positive.

Good luck and thank you for your continued efforts to expose the truth and in the pursuit of justice for Palestinians. Fingers crossed that we will reach the 100K mark. (Ladan, Princeton NJ)

Donation in Memory of...
18-month old
Ali Saad Dawabsha

grateful to help

little contribution to show support :) we're almost half way through

Done. Paul O'Brien

I appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this project. Thank you for your steadfast witness for justice on behalf of the Palestinian people. Kathleen Nash (Le Moyne College - Syracuse, NY)

It is both an honour and a privilege for me to support your project.
Thank you Norman for your hard work, dedication and commitment.
Keep up the great work!

Thank you Mr. Finkelstein, an honour to support this project.

I think if Israel is going to bomb Palestine, then it should have to pay to have everything rebuilt where they attacked. They'd realize how expensive it is and how the real solution is to stop attacking Palestine in the first place. I think the United Nations should enforce this payment plan. Or maybe the US can send money to rebuild Palestine if Israel refuses to pay to rebuild what they destroy.

I would be proud to have my name on the plaque. Please put it there. Thank you!

Portion of letter received today July 30, 2015 from US Senator Susan Collins shown below...
"On September 23, 2014, I joined a bipartisan group of 88 Senators in sending a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry expressing our support for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, while urging the Administration to help ensure funding is not used to allow Hamas to rebuild its military infrastructure."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: To date the blockade by Israel continues and Humanatarian needs by GAZA remain...Little if anything has been done...As a Nurse my heart broke last year as I watched the cruelty inflicted on innocent GAZA civilians...I physically got ill as I watched the horror and realized that there was nothing I could do...No one could get help or supplies through....UNTIL
THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE...to get MEDICAL EQUIPMENT THROUGH to AL AWDA HOSPITAL in GAZA
REMEMBER 1 YEAR AGO and let's SEIZE THE MOMENT...
GOD BLESS NORMAN FINKELSTEIN...
GOD BLESS PALESTINE's SUPPORTERS!

Lets stick it to the war criminals.

Glad to contribute. Lots of love and solidarity to Gaza. Thanks Norman for all your efforts.

Glad to contribute. Keep up the good work. Long live Palestine !

Love and solidarity from Ireland.

Just donated!!! hope my little help can contribute to this amazing work. Blessings to Norman from Costa Rica, Central America.

Challenge...If everyone could pledge again we could get over the halfway point...C'mon Team....WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

Dear Norman
Deeply appreciate all your dedicated efforts toward raising awareness regarding all the issues. I am honored to support the people of Palestine.

Thank you Norm for this project that will help the people of Gaza at this desperate time, towards a brighter future and Freedom soon, deep appreciation from Wales.

Words can not express our gratitude! As an Arab and a Muslim, I am grateful for your exposing the lies, the criminal violations of the international law, the cowardice and capitulation of the world, not just Amnesty, on the issue of Gaza, and giving me hope that the creed of sacred ethics that binds us all as one big human family is resilient and strong. Truth speaks to power and we shall overcome this injustice. In solidarity, Nida.

Though it seems the lights have dimmed, we can still come together to remember, to care and to act. Thank you for this project. I am profoundly touched.

An infinite thank you to Norman and all who join together to help this cause. In solidarity, Luke.

I wish I could donate much more. Nervously waiting for the final tally.

David Kinniburgh, Auckland. Delighted to help; happy to put my name to the plaque. Much gratitude to you for the work you do. It inspires many, me among them :-)

Blessings on your work.

I am British, how can I donate in pounds sterling?

Hello, I made a small contribution. Free Palestine!

Just donated prof. Am working on a project and am expecting some money soon. Will make another donation once that comes in. Cheers and thank you for doing this. You are great!!

Hello

Respect to You Mr Norman Finkelstein!!!
From where there are, your parents should be proud of their son!
I'm really happy to support your project from France

I'm happy to support the project as much as I am able. Thanks Norman for coming up with a way for us to participate in a meaningful way to help the people of Gaza in attending to their immediate needs, as we continue the struggle for a solution to end the nightmare of injustice.

Happy to support your work - invaluable and criminally under-exposed.

Dear Dr. Finkelstein,

We've been in touch via email. I'm happy to support this project and your work. I've also shared this on Facebook. I look forward to reading your columns. This year, and many more to come.

With huge respect,

Etienne Juneau, PhD(c)

Hope my little contribution helps! All the support form Argentina.

Not only is it a great cause that im happy to support with what i can, this gives us all access to ton of great writing from Dr Finkelstein.

Thanks, I'll spread the word !

Norman Finkelstein, I am inspired by your work for justice & truth, not only because you do what is right, but because you do it SO WELL, also!

Dr. Finkelstein - I will do everything I can to assist you in the fundraising of this amazing project and compendium of your essays. Much respect.

The names of all contributors to this fundraising project who wish to be acknowledged will appear on the plaque.

Done

JUST DONATED! THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.