Has Israel's response exceeded its right to defend itself?

This is an opinion item.

Author(s)	George Bisharat
Source	San Francisco Chronicle
Date	January 5, 2009
URL	http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/05/EDHQ152R05.DTL
Quote	"Virtually all Israelis in proximity to Gaza have lived in fear. These innocent civilians have undeniable rights to be free of indiscriminate attack. Yet their government failed to explore negotiating a renewal of the truce with Hamas, which had brought the greatest calm the region in the last six years. Unwilling to make concessions necessary to extend the truce, Israel deliberately chose the path of blood."

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This item argues against the position Israel was right to attack Gaza on the topic Gaza War.