This Time We Went Too Far

By: Norman G. Finkelstein

Narrated by: Tom Pile

For the Palestinians who live in the narrow coastal strip of Gaza, the Israeli invasion of December 2008 was a nightmare of unimaginable proportions: In the 22-day-long action, 1,400 Gazans were killed, several hundred on the first day alone.

And yet, while nothing should diminish Palestinian suffering through those frightful days, it is possible something redemptive is emerging from the tragedy of Gaza. For, as Norman Finkelstein details, in a concise work that melds cold anger with cool analysis, the profound injustice of the Israeli assault was widely recognized by bodies that it is 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 against the civilian population during the invasion (100 Palestinians died for every one Israeli), have had an impact on longstanding support for Israel. Jews in both the Unites States and the United Kingdom, for instance, have begun to voice dissent, and this trend is especially apparent among the young. Such a shift, Finkelstein contends, can create new pressure capable of moving the Middle East crisis towards a solution, one that embraces justice for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

This edition has been revised throughout and includes an extensive afterword on the Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which resulted in the deaths of nine activists and further strained the loyalty of many of Israel's traditional allies around the world. It also contains a brand new appendix in which Finkelstein dissects the official Israeli investigation of the flotilla attack.

©2010 Norman G. Finkelstein (P)2012 John Oakes

The facts! Clear and to the Point

This is a good read for someone who is trying to get informed on the subject of the war of Israel against the Palestinian people. And it's just facts without much reflexion or opinion from the writer. Loved it!

Wonderful book. Highly recommend this to everyone

Wonderful book! Highly recommended this to anyone interested in the events that has taken place in Gaza and wish to deepen thir understanding of Israels motives and intentions. Also very good narrator.

Ahead of its time

If one overlooks the dates and specific events, this reads like it was written in the aftermath of the October 7th, 2023 escalation. Truly, a work of meticulously sourced and remarkable clarity. One cannot help but lament, "if only the world had listened..."

must read for political science and history

Norman Finkelstein is a unique Voice within the global Jewish community who is not afraid to hold Is real to account for their actions

Relevant to today

This is part of the history of the conflict, and it rhymes with 2008 almost all the actors say the same thing