TEHRAN- Norman Finkelstein, an American political scientist and activist born to Jewish survivors of the Second World War, has dedicated his career to analyzing the politics of the Holocaust and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

In an interview with the Tehran Times, Finkelstein expressed a bleak assessment of Israel's current state, arguing that the regime has suffered profound losses in the past year, particularly in terms of public opinion and its very humanity.

Finkelstein believes that Israel's actions, particularly in Gaza, have alienated the world, leading to a dramatic erosion of the regime’s global standing. This loss of public opinion, he argues, is a significant blow to the regime’s ability to operate on the world stage. Furthermore, Finkelstein contends that Israel's actions have eroded its very humanity, turning its society into bloodthirsty monsters.

Below are his remarks on what Israel has lost in the past year:

The events of the past year have fundamentally shifted global perceptions of both Israel and, unfortunately, Judaism itself. While I wouldn't call Jewish people victims in this situation, the fact remains that Israel's actions, particularly in Gaza, have led many to conflate the regime’s policies with Judaism, resulting in a rise of anti-Semitism. This is further exacerbated by the blatant support Israel receives from powerful Jewish figures in the United States, fueling the misconception that Jewish interests are inextricably tied to Israel's aggressive agenda. 

It is essential to acknowledge that this isn't about political correctness. It's true that the actions of a state do not define an entire religion. However, the consequences of Israel's actions are undeniable. They have not only alienated the world but also created a dangerous precedent for how Jews are perceived. 

David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister, famously remarked during World War II that there was only one thing worse than being a Jew at that time: being a German. It is a tragic irony that people who claimed they want to create a new home founded on the principle of refuge from persecution now embody the very violence and brutality they used to criticize. This is not simply about the loss of international support or moral standing; it is a fundamental loss of humanity. The Israelis, in their pursuit of power and control, have become the very monsters they claim to fear. Israel is now a society of monsters; monsters that are willing to do anything to get rid of the indigenous people of the land they have occupied. 

So, while it is true that Israel has lost public opinion and the world is increasingly growing critical of the regime, I think the most important thing Israelis have lost in the past year is the last drops of their humanity. We know that 95% of Israelis have said they support the genocide that’s taking place in Gaza.