Norman Finkelstein, professor of political science at DePaul University in Chicago, delivered an enlightening talk at Stanford University last Thursday to a packed audience. He received a standing ovation after his talk in which he completely debunked many of the contrived arguments and talking points over the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. He assured the audience that the festering problem was uncomplicated and fully supported Jimmy Carter’s depiction of Israel as paralleling the draconian apartheid polices of White South Africa. His defense of Carter’s book appear on Counterpunch, under the title "The Ludicrous Attacks on Jimmy Carter's Book".

Finkelstein made reference to a comprehensive report entitled “Land Grab” by the highly respected, Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem). B’Tselem concluded that Israel has established a regime in the Occupied Territories, which is reminiscent of the South African apartheid regime. Last year, B’Tselem put out another report entitled "Forbidden Roads," which provided details of roads and highways constructed for the exclusive use of Israelis. Finkelstein concluded his talk with a quote from Shulamit Aloni, the former Cabinet Minister for Education under Rabin, who said recently, “Everybody here knows it's apartheid,” so why is it illegitimate for a former American president to use a term which is a commonplace (in Israel)?”

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