Finkelstein: Let’s Talk About the Facts

What really surprises me … is the low level of the questions. The level of sheer ignorance and imbecility, and insulting nature of the question[s]. I gave a talk. I tried to dignify Yale University – as best as I could. Every student is here, it’s an honor. And I deeply respect it. And I tried to respect that. I gave facts. I referred to scholarship. I tried to be serious. And what kinds of question do you get? That’s not serious.

And that’s the whole point of my lecture this evening. I’m trying to talk about the facts. But people contrive things. Invent things. Everything to steer you away from the facts. Drag you away from the facts. Let’s not look at what Amnesty says. God forbid what B’Tselem says. God forbid PCATI says. God forbid what Human Rights Watch says. Let’s talk about, “do you say Yarhrzeit when your parents died?” I think that’s pitiful.

Norman G. Finkelstein, “Folly and Fact,” remarks at Yale University, 10/20/05.