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11/05/2012 GMT

NORMAN FINKELSTEIN – Political scientist

BBC World Service - HARDtalk, NORMAN FINKELSTEIN – Political scientist

Are American Jews, as Norman Finkelstein claims, falling out of love with Israel?

Are American Jews falling out of love with Israel? The Jewish American academic, Norman Finkelstein, claims this is happening. Is this true and what does that mean for America's Middle East policy?

American Presidents have long been criticised for being too in thrall to the Jewish lobby, and that American Jews influence US foreign policy, which explains America's unwavering support for Israel. 

So what happens if American Jews fall out of love with Israel? That's what the Jewish American academic Norman Finkelstein claims is happening. He suggests that American Jews are now unhappy with what Israel is doing and they want to distance themselves from the country. 

Finkelstein is nothing if not controversial. He, after all, is famous for accusing Jews of exploiting the Holocaust. His actions have resulted in him being banned from entering Israel. 

Could he be right and, if he is, what does that mean for America's Middle East policy?

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