The Outcasts Summary and Analysis

Elias and Faraj had a number of challenges as they arrived in Paris. For one thing, neither knew the language, and conquering the language would take some significant commitment and study. Once they were conversant, however, it became apparent that others seminarians were wholly supportive of the Zionist movement and its need to clear Palestine of "potential terrorists." By this time, there were Arab terrorists crossing into Israel and engaging in violent acts against the Jews. Elias and Faraj, in the eyes of their peers, were among the few good Palestinians, however, and the general view of Palestinians by Europeans was that most were evil, ignorant, and violent. As the fedayeen groups grew and gathered at Israel's borders, moreover, the reputation of all Palestinians grew worse. By the 1960's, Palestinians were generally hated the world over.

As before, both...