Ebook208 pages4 hours
Method and Madness: The Hidden Story of Israel's Assaults on Gaza
By Norman G. Finkelstein
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
5/5
(5 ratings)
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Israel-Palestine Conflict
War Crimes
International Criminal Court
International Law
Whistleblower
Cover-Up
Fish Out of Water
Coming of Age
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About this ebook
In the past five years Israel has mounted three major assaults on the 1.8 million Palestinians trapped behind its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Taken together, Operation Cast Lead (2008-9), Operation Pillar of Defense (2012), and Operation Protective Edge (2014), have resulted in the deaths of some 3,700 Palestinians. Meanwhile, a total of 90 Israelis were killed in the invasions.
On the face of it, this succession of vastly disproportionate attacks has often seemed frenzied and pathological. Senior Israeli politicians have not discouraged such perceptions, indeed they have actively encouraged them. After the 2008-9 assault Israel’s then-foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, boasted, “Israel demonstrated real hooliganism during the course of the recent operation, which I demanded.”
However, as Norman G. Finkelstein sets out in this concise, paradigm-shifting new book, a closer examination of Israel’s motives reveals a state whose repeated recourse to savage war is far from irrational. Rather, Israel’s attacks have been designed to sabotage the possibility of a compromise peace with the Palestinians, even on terms that are favorable to it.
Looking also at machinations around the 2009 UN sponsored Goldstone report and Turkey’s forlorn attempt to seek redress in the UN for the killing of its citizens in the 2010 attack on the Gaza freedom flotilla, Finkelstein documents how Israel has repeatedly eluded accountability for what are now widely recognized as war crimes.
Further, he shows that, though neither side can claim clear victory in these conflicts, the ensuing stalemate remains much more tolerable for Israelis than for the beleaguered citizens of Gaza. A strategy of mass non-violent protest might, he contends, hold more promise for a Palestinian victory than military resistance, however brave.
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Review
"Mr. Finkelstein['s]... research is certainly thorough. His characterizations, too, can be brilliant, and he spares nobody..."
-The Economist
"As a work of scholarship and commentary, Method and Madness is simply outstanding."
--Mouin Rabbani, Senior Fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies
"One of the most perceptive critics of Israel's increasingly barbarous occupation of Gaza and the West Bank"
--TeleSUR
"An undiluted, undoubtedly powerful prosecution case against Israel over the death and destruction visited on Gaza by its military assaults since 2008."
--The Independent
"Against tanks, warplanes, drones, high-precision missiles and white phosphorus, Finkelstein deploys the weapons of white-hot anger, scathing irony, sanity, common sense, international law, rational logic, clear analysis and the truth."
--New Left Project
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From Australia
Bert Ernie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
Reviewed in Australia on 24 February 2025
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great book.
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From other countries
TweedleDee
5.0 out of 5 stars Thou shall not covet = the greed motivation
Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2015
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Norman Finkelstein produces yet again another expertly researched book and provides much insight into a well covered up story. I am surprised, however, that he misses the angle of the large natural gas reserves which were discovered off Gaza. An economic component consistently dovetails with Israel's vicious aggression to its neighbors. In Gaza there are massive gas fields off the Gazan coast which by international law belong to Gaza. Similarly in Lebanon, isn't it interesting that the initial pullback was to the Litani river which they began to redirect into Israel - increasing their water supply by over 40% and certainly a powerful merchant competitor was crushed.
34 people found this helpful
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Davor
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Canada on 6 July 2024
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
An excellent history lesson.
One person found this helpful
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uglybug
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for everyone, for every person no matter your views
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is a must read no matter your thoughts or “side” you believe is right or you have taken for whatever reasons, this is the real reality even more important to understand now than ever before, if you care read it, if you don’t I challenge you to read this.
This is a very important read to understand the history and reasons for the present horror happening in front of our eyes, no matter “your side” or “no side” this is a massive eye opener into this decades long conflict in this part of the Middle East.
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J. Goddard
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book written by a very knowledgeable man ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 March 2015
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A must read book written by a very knowledgeable man, and needs to be read by as many as possible
17 people found this helpful
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BluesVues
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on 7 January 2025
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One of the world’s authorities on Gaza and the genocide.
Truthful and straightforward
One person found this helpful
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jeremy
5.0 out of 5 stars possibly finkelsteins best book yet!
Reviewed in the United States on 25 March 2015
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another amazing book from dr finkelstein
he is a brilliant chronicler of the israeli-palestinian conflict
he has suffered greatly for his convictions and for his unimpeachable integrity
this book is a very important one. this documents the side of israel, that they dont want you to see
the book covers the series of israeli massacres in gaza, that have taken place repeatedly over the last decade
i highly recommend this book
21 people found this helpful
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Mr. Moonface
5.0 out of 5 stars Norman Finkelstein fleshes out what really happened in Operation Cast ...
Reviewed in the United States on 4 July 2015
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Norman Finkelstein fleshes out what really happened in Operation Cast Lead in Gaza i.e. numerous war crimes were committed by both parties but particularly Israel and he also debunks Richard Goldstone's Volte-Face after relentless pressure from high profile supporters of Israel such as Alan Dershowitz and Elie Wiesel. There are extensive footnotes which shows the depth of Finkelstein's research about the subject at hand that's what made me give it five stars. A tough read in terms of the sheer brutality displayed by the IDF whether through mistaken identity, friendly fire, or just plain human error. Finkelstein leaves no stone unturned and no one is spared in this searing indictment of both parties to the conflict as well as the Richard Goldstone.
14 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book from one of the best authorities on the ...
Reviewed in the United States on 7 August 2015
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Very good book from one of the best authorities on the Israeli/Palestine issue. Well written and argued with concise analysis and ample links to documentation that makes the case against the Israeli occupation/seige
and the barbaric manifestation of this policy.
12 people found this helpful
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John E Norris
5.0 out of 5 stars Norman Finkelstein is the best
Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2018
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Finkelstein provides us, in narrative fashion, with the facts that are mostly suppressed in the Western media. In doing so he opens for his readers a window into one of the most horrific stories of ongoing oppression and routine atrocities in modern times. If the world is ever to know peace, sooner or later the Palestinian people must afforded fair treatment and justice.
13 people found this helpful
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C. Boulet
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, as always from this author.
Reviewed in the United States on 5 January 2016
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Finkelstein is a master reporter, and does not hide his bias.
8 people found this helpful
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Jonatan Ofir
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 11 July 2015
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As usual, impecable sholarship and Sharp analysis.
7 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Ugly
Reviewed in the United States on 8 May 2016
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A well written book about the massive retaliation by Israel against "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip.
8 people found this helpful
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