Alan Dershowitz Exposed

This is an exposé of Alan Dershowitz by Norman Finkelstein. Amazingly, in spite of being an exposed liar, hoaxer and plagiarist, Dershowitz still has his defenders in the USA and he was on Radio 4 just recently chatting away to John Humphrys as if he was a bona fide. academic. The best thing here, is the comprehensive demolition of Dershowitz by Norman Finkelstein in a chat show hosted by Amy Goodman. The full transcript is available here. At one point it emerges that Dershowitz is offering $10,000 to anyone who can show a bogus sentence in his book. Here's an excerpt:

"ALAN DERSHOWITZ:

Morris estimates that between 2,000 and 3,000 Arabs fled their homes during this phase of the Arab initiated fighting.

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN:

Can you please read what Mr. Morris wrote?

ALAN DERSHOWITZ:

You're talking about . . .

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN:

Please read what he wrote?

ALAN DERSHOWITZ:

If I have the whole book I will find for you if you want to take time.

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN:

Can you read the sentence?

AMY GOODMAN:

I'm looking at page 256 of Benny Morris book, Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict.

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN:

He is referring to phase two now same one as you. Go ahead.

AMY GOODMAN:

"Altogether about 200,000 to 300,000 Arabs fled their homes".

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN:

There is a big difference between 2,000 and 3,000 and 200,000 and 300,000. You could check this many times, Mr. Dershowitz. But you are really going to have to pay the $10,000. I hope you allow me to earmark it for Jenin. I would like to give it to Jenin."

Anyway, please go read the whole transcript. Trust me, it's hysterical.

Amazingly a Zionist recently told me that there was only one inaccuracy in the book that Finkelstein exposed but Finkelstein goes on to expose more within the same programme. Further, that that error (about the number fleeing) favoured the Palestinian account. Now this is a wild coincidence because Dershowitz says the same. But of course it doesn't favour the Palestinian argument to minimise the number of refugees.

I must say that it saddens me that if you want to be a successful (ie, well paid) lawyer, or even an academic you'd be better advised to emulate Dershowitz. But if it's truth you're after I'd follow Finkelstein.