The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not controversial at all, DePaul University Prof. Norman Finkelstein said to a group of about 60 students and community members Tuesday night.

The lecture, hosted by the Middle Eastern Students Association, was held in Annenberg Hall. Finkelstein, the author of several books including “Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and Abuse of History,” cited a ruling by the International Court of Justice and the Fourth Geneva Convention that said it is illegal for Israelis to occupy territories in the West Bank and the Gaza strip. He said in “public domain” the territories are considered “disputed” territory but that according to the ICJ it’s “occupied Palestinian territory.” Finkelstein later acknowledged looking at this issue from a political standpoint is a more complicated issue.

“Most of what passes for controversy … is fabricated,” Finkelstein said.

Finkelstein examined the past, present and future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, issues about Palestinian borders and what’s to become of Israeli settlements. He said the terms for resolving the conflict aren’t controversial. Under international law, Israel must fully withdraw from territory it occupied in 1967, he said.

“How do you account for the controversy?” Finkelstein asked. He said people are told it’s a “cosmic clash of religions” and “clash of civilizations” to get them to suspend ordinary moral judgment.

Finkelstein also talked about double standards such as the common belief that Israelis don’t purposely target civilians when bombs are dropped on Palestinians, but Palestinians do purposely target Israelis.

“Hamas is right: It’s a double standard,” Finkelstein said.

Medill junior Ramah Kudaimi said Finkelstein’s remarks added to the current discussion and that it’s important not to accept dominant views without looking at all the facts first.

MESA President Rami Toqan said the group decided to bring Finkelstein after recommendations from student groups at Rutgers University in New Jersey and The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He said the group felt students needed to learn more about the conflict.

“A lot of students aren’t fully aware of the situation and the seriousness of the situation in Israel,” the Weinberg junior said.

Reach Christina Amoroso at [email protected].