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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long does Elias vow he will stay in Ibillin?

2. Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so horrible in Elias' eyes?

3. Who acts as a little dictator?

4. What is the state of the physical church building?

5. About what is the United Nations pressuring Israel?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does he consider the conflict in Israel so horrific?

2. What type of personal epiphany did Elias have at Ibillin and what did he decide?

3. What was Chacour ready to do in the One Link chapter and why didn't he?

4. What was Bishop Raya's background and what was he determined to do?

5. What does Elias first decide to do about the church in Ibillin? How does his efforts work?

6. What did Elias finally do in the church at Ibillin and what was the result?

7. What had happened in Palestine by the time Elias returned there after his studies in Paris?

8. What was the reality about the Palestinians that Elias had to face in the last 1960's?

9. What does Elias Chacour hope about his book?

10. What did Elias see as the view the Western world had of the Jews and a homeland?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Elias himself was the victim of the Zionists, when he and his friends were singled out as culprits in the cutting of a telephone line. He and his father were interrogated for hours and Elias beaten. Though it was later discovered that a truck had inadvertently driven over the wire, severing it, there was never an apology or an admission of a mistake. Discuss the following:

1. What might an apology have done to the situation? Why do you think the Zionist do not offer one?

2. Are hours of interrogation and a beating overboard for the offense? Why or why not?

3. In response to these events, Elias chooses to retreat to solitude, again talking to Jesus and coming to the conclusion that somehow he would become a part of God's plan for peace. Do you think this is a worthwhile plan? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter one, Elias reveals that his father insisted their family would prepare a feast for Jewish soldiers who would be arriving in the village, and that the family would welcome them into their home. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem odd that the first people to arrive are soldiers rather than civilians? What message does that send to the Palestinians?

2. How might things have been different had families of immigrants came to Biram rather than soldiers?

3. Do you think the Zionist actually believe that Palestine is uninhabited land? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

While the Irgun attempts at eliminating the men of the community is going on, Katoub, Elias' mother, becomes the "rock" of the village, gathering her strength from prayer and faith, consoling and encouraging the other women of the village. Discuss one the following:

1. Do you think women are often the spiritual force behind the men in life? Why or why not? Use examples from the book and your own experience. If women had been making the decisions for both sides, how might things have been different?

2. Why do you think women are rarely mentioned in Chacour's book? He enters a totally male profession also, yet he says his mother has the greatest influence on him as a child. Are women valued in this culture? Why or why not? How are women viewed in general in the Middle East?

3. How are Israeli women viewed differently from those in the Arab countries that surround Israel?

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