In Knowing Too Much, Norman Finkelstein presents a bold thesis: one of the most consistent political alignments in recent American history—the liberal American Jewish community’s steadfast support for Israel—is unraveling. He argues that this shift does not stem from ignorance, but from the ample and compelling evidence—historical, moral, and political—that is dissolving the old romantic narratives. As more American Jews learn the full record, blind allegiances are giving way to principled critique. orbooks.comCounterfire
The Rise—and Fall—of the Jewish–Israel Connection
Finkelstein traces the deepening American Jewish affinity for Israel to the Six-Day War in 1967. It was only then that Israel became a gleaming symbol of moral clarity and democratic idealism, aligned with the broader Cold War dynamics. Before that, support was tepid; after, it became ideologically fused to American Jewish identity. peacenews.infoCounterfire
Yet this alliance was not rooted in loyalty alone. Finkelstein boldly challenges the assumption that Jews drove American foreign policy in favor of Israel. Instead, he asserts that the U.S.–Israeli strategic alignment led Jewish sentiment—not the other way around. Norman Finkelsteinpeacenews.info
Knowledge Breeds Disillusionment
What changed? For Finkelstein, it’s knowledge—sustained, widespread, authoritative knowledge of Israeli military policies, settlement expansion, systemic occupation, and human rights violations.
He cites research from human-rights organizations (e.g., Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, UN) and critical works—including those by Jimmy Carter, Stephen Walt, John Mearsheimer, and Peter Beinart—as part of a mounting body of evidence that clashes with liberal values. This growing awareness is especially impactful among younger American Jews, just a quarter of whom report feeling “very much” connected to Israel. orbooks.comNorman FinkelsteinCounterfire
As Finkelstein notes, loyalty anchored in selective narratives—like seeing Israel as a besieged, pioneering underdog—is being dismantled as historical myths give way to documented cruelty and injustice. CounterfireAmazon
Dismantling the Myths: Deconstructing Pro‑Israel Narratives
A central feature of the book is Finkelstein’s critique of popular pro-Israel literature and punditry. He rigorously deconstructs works by authors such as Michael Oren, Jeffrey Goldberg, Dennis Ross, and even Benny Morris—once hailing from Israel’s “New Historians”—highlighting selective facts, distortions, or apologetics. orbooks.comThe Electronic IntifadaNorman Finkelstein
He also exposes fringe theories—such as the Soviet “Foxbats over Dimona” hoax published by Yale University Press—and underscores how pseudo-scholarship continues to distort public understanding. peacenews.infoThe Electronic Intifada
Ideology, Strategy, or Loyalty?
Finkelstein dissects the motivations behind American Jewish support for Israel, dividing them into three overlapping categories: ethnic attachment (“Israel is the Jewish homeland”), strategic alliance (“Israel as a U.S. ally”), and ideological affinity (“Israel as a liberal democracy”). Polling data he presents shows these motivations are fluid—and when misaligned with liberal values, Jewish support wanes. orbooks.comCounterPunch
Notably, he critiques the assumption—popular in activist circles—that the Israeli lobby dictates U.S. policy. Instead, he argues that Americans (including Jews) have followed government logic rather than driving it themselves. peacenews.infoNorman Finkelstein
Toward Estrangement—and What It Could Mean
Finkelstein doesn’t stop with his diagnosis; he sketches possible futures. Will American Jews “jettison their professed liberal values” in support of Israel, or will they increasingly "cast Israel adrift"? Many signs point toward estrangement rooted in cognitive dissonance. The Electronic IntifadaCounterfire
He encourages activists and policymakers to recognize that by aligning with universal values of justice and truth—not rhetoric or fear—it may be possible to appeal to American Jewish conscience effectively. Norman FinkelsteinMERIP
Strengths, Criticisms, and Outlook
Strengths:
-
Thorough research and polemical clarity: Finkelstein combines scholarly depth with sharp critique. orbooks.comCounterPunchNorman FinkelsteinCounterfire
-
Polling-driven analysis: He thoughtfully incorporates public opinion data to support his thesis on shifting attitudes. orbooks.comCounterfire
Criticisms:
-
Dense academic style: Some readers find the tone pedantic; the book includes over a thousand endnotes. CounterPunch
-
Scope drift: Amid polemics, the core sociological argument occasionally blurs. Critics argue Finkelstein leans heavily on scholarship at the expense of deeper understanding of Jewish collective psychology. Norman FinkelsteinMERIP
-
Limited forward projection: While rich in critique, the book offers limited prescriptions for resolving growing estrangement—he defers that to future work. The Electronic Intifada
Conclusion
In Knowing Too Much, Norman Finkelstein strikes at the heart of an evolving phenomenon: liberal American Jews are not turning against Israel out of ignorance, but because they know too much. They see through myths once sustained by cultural loyalty, and their moral and intellectual engagement no longer allows them to reconcile Israel's policies with their values.
As Finkelstein lays out, the ideological rift is widening—not only across generations, but between communities long conflated. Whether this growing opportunity for dialogue, reform, or disaffiliation translates into political traction remains to be seen.
No comments:
Post a Comment