“[Finkelstein’s] plac
e in the whole history of writing history is assured.”
–Raul Hilberg, author, The Destruction of the European Jews
“A very impressive, learned and careful scholar.”
–Avi Shlaim, Professor, International Relations, Oxford University
“Better than any other book, ‘This Time We Went Too Far’ shows how the massive destruction visited on Gaza was not an accidental byproduct of the Israeli invasion but its barely concealed objective.”
–Raja Shehadeh, author, Palestinian Walks
Here’s an excerpt taken from chapter1: Self-Defense
As the Israeli government attempts to discredit the UN Goldstone Report on the Gaza assault, Norman Finkelstein’s meticulous study of why Israel attacked, what happened on the ground during the invasion, and the repercussions of the attack in Jewish communities around the world, could not be more timely or important.
For the Palestinians who live in Gaza, the December 2008 invasion was a nightmare of unimaginable proportions: In the 22-day-long action 1,400 Gazans were killed, several hundred on the first day alone. More than 6,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged. The cost of the destruction and disruption of economic life, in one of the world’s poorest areas, is estimated at more than $3 billion.
And yet, while nothing should diminish recognition of Palestinian suffering through these frightful days, it is possible something redemptive will emerge from the tragedy of Gaza. For, as Norman Finkelstein details, in this concise work that melds cold anger with cool analysis, the profound injustice of the Israeli assault has been widely recognized by bodies that are impossible to brand as partial or extremist.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN investigation headed by Richard Goldstone, in documenting Israel’s use of indiscriminate and intentional force on Gaza’s civilian population, have had an impact on traditional support for Israel. Jews in both the United States and the United Kingdom, for instance, are beginning to voice dissent, and this trend is especially apparent among the young. Such a shift, Finkelstein contends, can result in new public pressure capable of moving the Middle East crisis towards a solution, one that embraces justice for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
“This Time We Went Too Far”, written with Finkelstein’s customary acuity and precision, will surely advance the process it so eloquently describes.
Norman G. Finkelstein’s books include Beyond Chutzpah, The Holocaust Industry, A Nation on Trial and Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict.
For a review copy or to arrange an interview, please email Lusiné Kerobyan,
lusine.kerobyan@orbooks.com.
For more information about this title, and OR Books, go to www.orbooks.com.
Publication: March 31st, 2010 hardback $20; e-book $9 208 pages
“This Time We Went Too Far” is available only direct from OR Books, a new publishing company selling progressive books in both traditional and electronic formats, direct to the reader.
It is not available in bookstores or from other online retailers.
