Norm Finkelstein SPURNS Tucker and Candace’s ‘Far Right’ Israel Opposition

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Due Dissidence
KEATON WEISS • RUSSELL DOBULAR

Norm Finkelstein SPURNS Tucker and Candace's 'Far Right' Israel Opposition

Due Dissidence
May 29, 2026

Editor's Note: This is a necessary discussion, and I'm glad the DD team embraced it. That said, I think their analytical aim is off, an inevitable conclusion since they misdefine the left all along, (which is mighty surprising, considering their renowned depth and perspicacity), as they follow the usual notion in the US and now much of the "Western left," that social democrats or simply liberals, like US "wokist" Democrats, or the Laborites in Britain, immer4sed in PC/identity politics, actually represent genuine old left/Marxist viewpoints, and not simply conscious establishment traps. Starting from a rather flat and misdefined analytical angle, Weiss and Dobular end up with some rather somber, defeatist conclusions. With the advent of AI, the fundamental contradiction of capitalism has only intensified across global supply chains, massive multinational tech conglomerates, and outsourced labor. As some Redditors have noted, "The creation of goods and services relies on the collective, interconnected labor of billions of people across the globe. Yet, the vast majority of the wealth generated by this massive, socialized effort is privatized and hoarded by an incredibly [and shrinking] small fraction of individuals (corporate executives, private equity owners, and shareholders). I raise the issue of "contradictions” because it illuminates the question of urgency and tactical and strategic priorities in political affairs, including when it is proper and advisable to consider, tolerate, and accept strange bedfellows to a particular formal or de facto alliance designed to overcome a larger evil. In this case, the evil is Zio-imperialism, which not only commits open genocide, but also rots the remaining vestiges of America’s Constitution, particularly the right of free speech.

The hosts' dismissive remarks about the left's trajectory, painting the left as some sort of masochistic parade of fools, does a disservice to the cause. As I am sure they both know, that making revolution is always hard, that actually existing left revolutions past and present have lifted humanity by the hundreds of millions out of poverty, persecution, and political disenfranchisement, and that attaining political power is just the beginning of a normally long and extremely tricky process, a trajectory normally punctuated by immense often malicious obstacles—sabotage, aggression, coups, demonisation, financial strangulation and outright war— all mounted within and without by the global capitalo/imperialist forces intent on defeating any socialist success that might prove socialism's superiority to their rotten system. As genuine left theory suggests, today's greatest global contradictions continue to revolve around the expanding, international nature of wealth creation and the deeply unequal, private ways that this wealth is appropriated and controlled. This remains the core of Marx’s critique of capitalism’s social relations, and the central clue to its frequent, inevitable crises and ultimately unraveling. Keaton and Russell also seem to forget here that history is a result of many simultaneous processes, some of which may be or appear at times oppositional, and that without analysing the chief global contradictions, it is difficult or impossible to sort out the role played by different political vectors. Equally curious, and distressing, is to watch Norman Finkelstein—a man of impeccable left credentials— endorse the same confusion about what is the real left. Granted, maybe most real leftists are now dead or brutally sidelined from the chief forums, but many still honor their lifetime principles. Among them, there is no such thing as a retreat from criticism of Nazism, Zionism and similar racist/supremacist beliefs.

—PG

Summary

The video transcript presents a detailed discussion capturing multiple perspectives on Israel, Palestine, the evolving political alignments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the implications of prominent figures’ stances on the issue. It begins with a bold assertion by Tucker Carlson claiming that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians, a viewpoint rarely aired in mainstream media. Carlson cites the historical and biblical intent behind Israel's policies, interpreting Netanyahu’s reference to "Amalek" as justification for extreme measures against Palestinians.

The conversation pivots to an interview with Norman Finkelstein, a well-known critic of Israel's policies, who laments that Palestinian liberation has shifted from being a left-wing cause to primarily a right-wing issue in contemporary discourse, especially within the podcast landscape. Finkelstein emphasizes that right-wing critiques of Israel now dominate due to the left’s retreat from the topic. His unease centers on the idea that the right-wing obsession with Israel risks fueling antisemitism and the problematic normalization of the notion that Jewish loyalty to Israel conflicts with American interests.

The dialogue further explores the potential influence of figures like Trump being manipulated through “Epstein files,” with Tucker Carlson and others suggesting Epstein’s blackmail shaped political decisions about Israel, which is controversial because it intersects with antisemitic tropes. The hosts debate whether raising this theory is conspiratorial or a justified suspicion based on evidence.

The video offers a broader critique of Jewish and American political leadership, discussing how some feel institutional Jewish voices have undermined legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and contributed to increased antisemitism. A Palestinian commentator’s dismissive stance toward Jewish concerns during Palestinian liberation highlights the deep strategic divisions involved, underscoring that Palestinians prioritize their own liberation over the fate of Jews.

There is also a nuanced debate about the role of dialogue with right-wing critics of Israel, like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, questioning whether collaboration or rejection of these voices better serves the Palestinian cause and counters antisemitism. The video closes by reflecting on the age and ideological rigidity of Finkelstein, as well as the limitations of the left’s influence and willingness to engage with right-wing opponents.

Highlights

[00:20] 🔥 Tucker Carlson openly calls Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide, citing biblical references used by Netanyahu.
[02:30] 🎙 Norman Finkelstein argues Palestinian liberation has shifted from a left-wing to a right-wing cause due to left’s retreat.
[06:00] 👀 Discussion of Epstein files allegedly blackmailing Trump influences Israel policies, stirring controversy.
[18:40] 🕊 Concerns raised about increasing antisemitism driven by extremist right-wing anti-Israel activism.
[27:00] 💬 Janine Ununice challenges Finkelstein’s view that right-wing care for Palestine is insincere, emphasizing genuine concern.
[30:40] 🚩 Palestinian writer states liberation is priority regardless of Jewish consequences, highlighting stark strategic differences.
[38:40] 📵 Finkelstein reveals he was considered but ultimately not chosen for Tucker Carlson’s show due to ideological differences.

Key Insights

[00:20] 🕵️ Israel’s Genocidal Intent and Biblical Justification: Tucker Carlson highlights how Israel’s prime minister uses a biblical allegory—comparing Palestinians to the Amalachites, who were historically ordered to be exterminated—to justify genocidal intent. This illustrates how political rhetoric can draw on ancient religious narratives to rationalize contemporary state violence, complicating international responses and moral framing of the conflict. Understanding this symbolic code is crucial to grasping the ideological underpinnings of Israeli policy.
[02:30] 🔄 Shift of Palestinian Cause from Left to Right: Norman Finkelstein’s observation that the Palestinian cause has transitioned from a left-wing liberation movement to largely a right-wing issue reveals the profound political realignments shaping advocacy and public discourse. The left's retreat is due in part to internal weaknesses and changing priorities, while right-wing figures have politicized the issue for nationalist agendas, reflecting how geopolitical causes can be repurposed to serve ideologically opposed constituencies. This shift impacts the framing of human suffering and international sympathy.
[06:00] 🕵️‍♂️ Epstein Blackmail Theory Influencing US-Israel Relations: The contention that Donald Trump was blackmailed through Epstein files to act favorably toward Israel introduces a controversial, sensitive topic. While suspicions are grounded in circumstantial evidence, invoking such theories risks aligning with or fueling antisemitic conspiracies. The discussion highlights the thin line between warranted political skepticism and inadvertently reinforcing harmful stereotypes, underscoring the complexity in navigating discourse around power, influence, and minority identities.
[18:40] ⚠️ The Danger of Antisemitism as Blowback: Increasing antisemitism is identified as a real and growing concern linked directly to political actions and rhetoric surrounding Israel's conduct, especially from right-wing segments critical of Israel. This “blowback” underscores the interconnectedness of geopolitical conflicts and minority security, where debates over state policies can have unintended harmful consequences for broader communities. This insight calls for responsible discourse balancing critique of state actions with safeguarding vulnerable populations.
[27:00] 🤝 Right-Wing vs. Left-Wing Advocacy Sincerity Debate: The critique by Janine Ununice challenges Finkelstein’s broad dismissal of right-wing concern for Palestinian suffering. She points out that many right-wing advocates genuinely care, even more than some left-wing virtue signalers, suggesting that values of human rights and national interest can coexist. This highlights the fragmented nature of advocacy coalitions and raises questions about the potential of pragmatic alliances across ideological divides in advancing justice.
[30:40] 🎯 Palestinian Strategic Realism on Liberation: The Palestinian commentator’s blunt declaration that the fate of Jews is irrelevant to their goal of liberation crystallizes the existential nature of this conflict. This unapologetic prioritization reflects a historical frustration and mistrust stemming from decades of conflict and dispossession. It reveals why empathetic understanding and reconciliation remain elusive and why any peace process must reckon with asymmetrical narratives and demands.
[38:40] 📉 Ideological Rigidity and Limitations of the Left: The reflection on Finkelstein’s “old school” leftism and its limitations—being marked by defeat and failure—frames the structural challenges faced by left-wing activism in the current era. This rigidity may hinder adapting to new political terrains, like working with unlikely allies or adjusting narratives. It also explains some of the left's diminished influence in debates about Israel-Palestine and points to the need for reassessing strategies to remain relevant and effective.

Norm Finkelstein SPURNS Tucker and Candace's 'Far Right' Israel Opposition