Summary
Highlights
Dr. Norman Finkelstein critiques Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan, noting its lack of Palestinian participation, absence of a path to statehood, and the proposed Trump-chaired 'board of peace' for Gaza. He categorizes it as the 'flimsiest' of all US Middle East peace plans since the 1970s, devoid of international legal references or coherence. The plan's only strict deadline is a 72-hour ultimatum for Hamas to accept, after which Trump threatens a further decimation of Gaza. Finkelstein emphasizes that the plan implicitly allows Israel to decide its withdrawal based on a subjective assessment of Hamas's disarmament and disqualifies UN organizations deemed 'partial,' effectively sidelining key aid agencies like UNRWA.
Finkelstein asserts that Israel does not genuinely want Hamas to release hostages, viewing the hostage situation as a PR advantage. He describes October 7th as a 'godsend' for Israel, providing an opportunity to accelerate their long-standing goal of resolving the 'Palestine question,' which he interprets as the expulsion of Palestinians. He cites the UN Commission of Inquiry report, which concluded Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, based on statements by Israeli officials immediately after October 7th that expressed intentions to 'reduce Gaza to rubble' and deny the existence of civilians.
Finkelstein characterizes Israeli society as 'lunatic' based on public opinion. He refutes the idea that Netanyahu is solely responsible for policies against Palestinian statehood, pointing out that over 90% of the Knesset opposes a Palestinian state. He cites polls showing that 47% of Israeli Jews supported genocide in Gaza (killing everyone in a city entered by the IDF), and 62% of Israelis believed there were 'no innocents in Gaza' (rising to 70% among Jewish Israelis when non-Jewish Israelis are factored out). He also highlights reports detailing the Israeli military's deliberate targeting of children, including toddlers, in the head and chest.
Finkelstein analyzes Netanyahu's rare apology for an Israeli strike in Doha, linking it to broader geopolitical shifts. He explains that before October 7th, Saudi Arabia was poised to join the Abraham Accords, fearing Iran's 'axis of resistance'. However, this axis has since 'collapsed,' lessening Saudi Arabia's motivation. Furthermore, Israel's aggressive actions across the region (Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar, Iraq) have caused Saudi Arabia to reconsider its alignment. Finkelstein believes Trump likely ordered Netanyahu's apology to prevent Israel's 'brazen' conduct from derailing the US's broader Middle East plans, particularly the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, which Trump views as the 'crown jewel' for its wealth and real estate.
Finkelstein predicts that Israel will not release its grip on Gaza, and the Trump plan's suggestion for Gazans to 'stay' is detached from reality. He reiterates that Israel's objective is to ethnically cleanse Gaza, using genocidal means. He paints a desolate picture of Gaza, with 95% of housing destroyed, 70% of hospitals gone, and 60 million tons of rubble, which would take until 2050 to clear. While acknowledging little direct hope for immediate relief, he finds a glimmer in a US court decision by a Reagan-appointed judge who criticized the terrorization of free speech advocates supporting Palestine. However, Finkelstein ultimately emphasizes the importance of preserving the historical record of what has occurred, regardless of short-term outcomes, quoting Abraham Lincoln: 'We cannot escape history.'